Whether you have a particular expertise or skill to share, or a knack for figuring things out and explaining them to others, writing a Wiki Guide is the way for you to strut your stuff.

Step 1: Explore the guides

Spend some time exploring Howcast, reading Wiki Guides and watching videos on similar subjects to the one you have in mind. Your guide will be most successful if it doesn’t just rehash information that’s already available on the site.

Step 2: Click write

When you’ve decided on a unique title or take on your subject, click on the box in the upper right-hand corner that says “Write.”

Step 3: Enter a title

Type in the title you’d like to give your Wiki Guide, preferably beginning with “How to…” Click on the “Submit” button when you’re sure the title is what you want and properly spelled. You won’t have the opportunity to edit the title later, so be sure it’s what you want now!

Step 4: Suggest a new name

If you’ve thoroughly searched the site, you should know that your title hasn’t already been used, but if you missed it, Howcast will let you know with a message that says, “This title already exists. Do you want to edit it?” Assuming you want to write your own brand new version, click the “No” button and suggest a new name.

Step 5: Create a new Wiki Guide

If you’ve chosen a title that hasn’t already been written, a list of similar existing guides will be displayed. Read through these titles to make certain that you want to write a brand new guide and not just edit one of the existing ones. If you want to create a new guide, click the “New” button.

Step 6: Enter tags

Begin by filling in the “Tags” field. Although this field is optional, it will help identify what the guide contains for people who are searching for this sort of information. Think about all the words that someone might search for that relate to your topic, and enter them separated by commas.

Step 7: Choose a category

Choose a category that best represents where your title should live. Once you’ve clicked on the first category, a list of second-level categories will display. Once you’ve chosen a second-level category, a third-level category may or may not display. If it does, choose one.

Step 8: Flag mature content

If your guide isn’t suitable for users under 18, click on the “Mature Content” field. And as you write your guide, keep in mind that even an innocent topic should be labeled “Mature” if it contains language that’s inappropriate for a young reader.

Step 9: Write an introduction

Write an introduction to your guide. This should give the reader an idea of what they’re about to learn in a clever way. You only have 275 characters to introduce your topic, so get right to the point!

Step 10: Add items

Click the “Add” button in the “You Will Need” field and type the first item that is required to complete the task. If it’s something like two cups of milk, enter the number and scroll to the appropriate unit of measurement. If the item isn’t essential to the task, choose “Yes” in the “Optional” field. Then click on the “Add” button to enter another

Step 11: Add a warning

When you’ve added all the items necessary, click on the “Add” button in the “Instructions” field. If your guide should start with an overall warning, click on the arrow and scroll from “Step” down to “Warning.” Then type in the warning into the field below.

Step 12: Add a step

If your guide doesn’t need to begin with a warning, it should start with a step. First type in a short summary of this step in the top field. Then click on the larger blank field below and type in the full description of this step. You have 350 characters, so keep the description brief and direct, detailing only the necessary action.

Step 13: Finish the steps

Continue adding steps. When you have a helpful hint that’s not essential or just gives extra information, click on the arrow and scroll down to “Tip.” If some of the steps should come with precautionary information, click on the arrow and scroll down to “Warning.”

Step 14: Add a fact

When you have fully described your entire topic, add a final instruction, click on the arrow, and scroll to “Fact.” End your guide by entering a fun fact that’s relevant to the topic or a leftover tidbit of info that couldn’t fit elsewhere in the guide.

Step 15: List sources

If you’ve interviewed anyone to help you write this guide or used another resource, click the “Add” button in the “Sources” field. Type in the person’s name or a description of the resource, and include a link to help users find more information on this subject.

Step 16: Preview your guide

Click the “Preview” button to proofread your guide. Slowly read the guide aloud to help catch any mistakes and to ensure that you’ve used clear, concise language. Double-check your spelling, and make sure the “You Will Need,” “Tags,” and “Mature Content” sections are still complete and correct.

Step 17: Save your guide

When your guide is finished, click the “Save” button. Your guide is now live, so email it to your friends and family—the more people view and vote for it, the more popular it will become… and the sooner a filmmaker might turn your guide into a video!