Groups :: SodaHead Groupies : Tutorials & Guides

Getting Started on SodaHead

** Welcome to SodaHead! **
SodaHead is the premier opinion-based community where people discover, debate and discuss today's hottest issues. People like you can share unique views on breaking news, hot topics and controversial issues. SodaHead also has a panel of editorial writers who provide original and exclusive content daily.

** Your Vote Counts **
SodaHead allows you to express yourself on any issue. You can safely express your opinion anonymously so you don't have to worry about what others may say about you. You can talk about religion, politics and your secret crush on Justin Bieber without worrying what your employer, teacher, spouse, parents or friends will say. Don't try this on traditional social networks unless you want to learn what "unfriending" means.

SodaHeads vote and comment on the hottest breaking issues of the day. SodaHeads also enjoy blowing off steam in the "Fun & Humor" section, where you can always find Polls asking "What's your favorite color?" or vote for the best "Caption This" on funny images.

** Add SodaHeads **
To gain prominence on SodaHead you need to add "friends" (whom we affectionately call "SodaHeads").

SodaHead differs from traditional social networks. You don't add friends here because you already know them. You connect with people because you want to share ideas with them. You may agree or disagree with them, but you want to have discussions with passionate people. Win people over to your side or learn something about their perspective. Who knows, maybe someone will change your mind!

On SodaHead, people connect through passions -- not offline or traditional relationships.

To best find new SodaHeads to add, start by finding a popular Poll in a category you like (News & Politics, Lifestyle, Entertainment and Fun & Humor).

Read through the comments and "Rave" (click the "thumbs up" icon) the ones you like -- even if you disagree with their opinion.

Click the "Add" button under their avatar. It helps to include message like "I enjoyed your comment on the poll about __(fill in the blank)___."

Your SodaHeads will also see your activity in their Feed so they can easily find your comments and polls to rave, respond or vote.

** Ask a Question **
Write about topics you enjoy. Write with passion and a point-of-view.

You don't have to come up with an original question -- but you should write original thoughts in the "Description" area of "Ask Question".

Phrase your Poll Question from an objective standpoint so people from all sides of the discussion can participate. For example, you don't want to ask a Poll phrased "Red is the best color ever!" and give only two answer choices: "(A) I Love Red!" and "(B) I hate colors". Those who don't like the color red cannot join the discussion. Your poll won't do well and you lose out.

After asking the question, click the "Share" button. That will send it to all the people who accepted your SodaHead friend request. You can also import your email address, share it on Facebook, Twitter, via IM, etc...

More Sharing Tips Here

As people vote & comment on your Poll it will start gaining more momentum. Your Polls can potentially appear on the homepage with enough votes and comments.

** What's Happening? **
Always check your "My Happenings" -- the orange box at the very top of the page in the floating toolbar at the bottom of the screen. This only appears if you've logged in and have new activity.

My Happenings will link you directly to where other people have replied to your comments, raved you, added you as a SodaHead and more. This makes it very easy to respond to comments like a conversation or chat on a poll.

Active SodaHeads can always find something to do by checking their Happenings.

** Civil Obedience **
Your opinion counts as long as you respect the opinions of others.

Remain civil and mature at all times or you can get punished by other SodaHeads and the Abuse Team. Click the "abuse flag" on any comment that violates the Code of Conduct so that SodaHead's Abuse Team can respond. Then ignore the bad comment and move on -- don't wrestle with the pigs -- you both get muddy but the pigs enjoy it.

** Have Fun **
Really, have fun.