A Crash Course for Non-Sk*rtizens

When I first happened upon Sk*rt, I remember looking around and thinking, “Okay. Cool. Looks interesting. BUT I have no idea what is going on here.” So I went upon my merry way. 

A few months later, I somewhat accidently applied for a Sk*rt Editor position and – wonder of wonders – I was offered the “job,” along with 21 other fantabulously intelligent and connected women from all around the web.

Shortly thereafter, I had the privilege of “attending” a training session with Gabby Blair, one of the Sk*rt Founders, via conference call. Afterward, I felt excited, but I still didn’t quite “get it.”

But now I finally do (Gabrielle, Laura, and Laurie – sorry my learning curve was so steep). And it is WAY cooler than I thought. Here’s the main point: “Sk*rt is a place to find things. News. Ideas. Information. Products. Coolness.”

Here’s how it works (in a nutshell):

1. Sk*rt’s front page/home page is always changing based on reader’s feedback. Essentially, you will find a list of “stories” (links to other places on the web with a short description). For example, one story’s headline might say “These GAP Jeans Make Me Look Thin.” The headline would be followed by a 1-4 sentence descriptor and – if you happen to like GAP or jeans that make you look thin – you could click over to the GAP site to check it out.

2. Every time you click on a link/story, you “vote” for it. I *LOVE* this about Sk*rt. The content is totally user-generated. If people like the story, it will stay on the main page. If they don’t, it will get dumped.

3. If you click on a story and then don’t like it (Ex. You clicked on the GAP story and discovered the ugliest pair of jeans ever), all you have to do is click “un-vote.”

4. AND THIS IS REALLY COOL. YOU (yes, little old you and little old me) can submit stories/links to things that you think are cool. You can share a blog post that touched your heart. You can point out a sale at your favorite retailer. You can link to a YouTube video that made you laugh out loud. All you have to do is create a username, click on “Submit a Story”, and – voila! – you’re in the club. *Hint* Sk*rt is a great way to get good PR for your own blog or website – or your friends’ blogs and websites.

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If you want even more details about Sk*rt (I’m sure I missed something), just go to Getting Started with Sk*rt to get the full scoop. Or you can e-mail me directly. 

I want to point out that Sk*rt is not a big time-eater, nor is it hard to navigate (once you get used to it). It is a fun and incredibly easy way to be well-connected and in-the-know about everything that is hot on the internet, in the blogosphere, and beyond.

So, what are you waiting for? Become a Skirtizen. Head on over to Sk*rt and check it out for yourself.