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soulstonedThe freeform exchange I'm using as an example in these screenshots is IPQ 2021 because it had a fairly standard freeform exchange setup, and it's an exchange that I moderated but did not sign up to so it was easy to get the screenshots I need.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you're signed in. If you are logged out, the sign up form will not be available.
The profile page should look something like this:
The button to sign up is highlighted in red in the screenshot. It will only be available if sign ups are open and you are logged in. If you're already signed up, there will be a button in the same place that says "My Sign-Up" that will allow you to view your sign up and make adjustments for as long as sign ups remain open (or forever if you're the collection maintainer.)
Once you click that button, you will be taken to the sign up form.
The request form should look something like this. Make sure you have read over the rules for the exchange, and if they are different than this guide, go with those.
When you start typing, a drop down menu will pop up. Selecting from this menu is usually the easiest way to make sure you're requesting a fandom, ship, or freeform tag from the tag set. Another way to make sure is to copy/paste directly from the tag set associated with the exchange. You can access the tag set from the button highlighted in purple in the first screenshot.
Freeform tags are called "Additional Tags" on the form.
You want to make sure you don't have any contradictory requests, because you can match on any combination of one tag and one ship within the same fandom. Don't request freeform tags you would only be happy with in combination with other freeform tags, or that you only want for some requested relationships and not others.
Some exchanges have additional matching criteria not shown in this screenshot, like rating or archive warning. Most of the time that's pretty straightforward, but it's good to check the exchange rules to make sure you understand what you're selecting. (For example, in some exchanges choosing the E rating means you're guaranteed E rated fic, in others it means you're opted in to E rated fic but may receive a lower rating)
It's easy to get overwhelmed by a large tag set, so sometimes it's easier to sign up by just typing in keywords related to things you like, and seeing what tags pop up and selecting from those. It may mean missing out on tags that you would have enjoyed, but it's a perfectly good way to get your sign up finished if the thought of looking through 1000+ freeform tags seems daunting.
For offers, instead of selecting tags you wish to receive, select tags you can create for another participant. You have to offer tags that match someone's request, so it's really helpful to look through existing sign ups at some point before they close and make sure one of your offers matches a fandom, medium, relationship, additional tag, and any other matching criteria the exchange may have within the same request.
If you aren't matchable as a creator, the mod will usually contact you and give you a chance to add additional offers, so keep an eye on the email you have associated with ao3. Some exchanges (mostly flash exchanges) don't do this.
The first thing you need to do is make sure you're signed in. If you are logged out, the sign up form will not be available.
The profile page should look something like this:
The button to sign up is highlighted in red in the screenshot. It will only be available if sign ups are open and you are logged in. If you're already signed up, there will be a button in the same place that says "My Sign-Up" that will allow you to view your sign up and make adjustments for as long as sign ups remain open (or forever if you're the collection maintainer.)
Once you click that button, you will be taken to the sign up form.
The request form should look something like this. Make sure you have read over the rules for the exchange, and if they are different than this guide, go with those.
When you start typing, a drop down menu will pop up. Selecting from this menu is usually the easiest way to make sure you're requesting a fandom, ship, or freeform tag from the tag set. Another way to make sure is to copy/paste directly from the tag set associated with the exchange. You can access the tag set from the button highlighted in purple in the first screenshot.
Freeform tags are called "Additional Tags" on the form.
You want to make sure you don't have any contradictory requests, because you can match on any combination of one tag and one ship within the same fandom. Don't request freeform tags you would only be happy with in combination with other freeform tags, or that you only want for some requested relationships and not others.
Some exchanges have additional matching criteria not shown in this screenshot, like rating or archive warning. Most of the time that's pretty straightforward, but it's good to check the exchange rules to make sure you understand what you're selecting. (For example, in some exchanges choosing the E rating means you're guaranteed E rated fic, in others it means you're opted in to E rated fic but may receive a lower rating)
It's easy to get overwhelmed by a large tag set, so sometimes it's easier to sign up by just typing in keywords related to things you like, and seeing what tags pop up and selecting from those. It may mean missing out on tags that you would have enjoyed, but it's a perfectly good way to get your sign up finished if the thought of looking through 1000+ freeform tags seems daunting.
For offers, instead of selecting tags you wish to receive, select tags you can create for another participant. You have to offer tags that match someone's request, so it's really helpful to look through existing sign ups at some point before they close and make sure one of your offers matches a fandom, medium, relationship, additional tag, and any other matching criteria the exchange may have within the same request.
If you aren't matchable as a creator, the mod will usually contact you and give you a chance to add additional offers, so keep an eye on the email you have associated with ao3. Some exchanges (mostly flash exchanges) don't do this.
