Frequently Asked Questions

The following is a summary only. The Good Mood Gig Talent Search is subject in all respects to the full Terms & Conditions.

Q: What does being a freelance independent contractor mean?

A: It means that you will be engaged by Ignite Social Media for the duration of your contract. There are requirements, restrictions, and obligations that come along with it. Don’t worry, many answers to your questions are below.

Q: The description of the job says that I would have to post blog entries “every day.” Does that mean holidays and weekends, too?

A: You’ll be required to post 5 articles a week, but there is a limit of no more than one post a day. These articles will range in length from 250-400 words, which typically equates to about 2 or 3 hours of work per post. You can set your own hours as long as you can deliver the articles on deadline.

Q: How many months will the gig last?

A: You’ll be required to blog for 6 months under your freelance contract.

Q: Who is Ignite Social Media? Will I have to work from their office?

A: Ignite Social Media is an agency that handles the social media components of SAM-e.com for Nature Made. You will not have to relocate to Cary, NC, but frequent communication with Ignite Social Media through e-mail and/or telephone will be required for this position.

Q: What kind of laptop will I get?

A: You’ll receive a brand new Dell Latitude E4300 (or similar type laptop) complete with the software you’ll need to make blogging easy. The computer is yours to keep after the contract is up.

Q: Do I have to take SAM-e to qualify?

A: No, you don’t. We’re more interested in you sharing mood tips. But we’re happy to give you a six-month supply as part of the deal. We understand that you’d be interested in trying the product, but no, it isn’t required that you do.

Q: Will I have to take SAM-e if I’m hired?

A: No, you will not have to take SAM-e if you’re hired. If you want to give it a try, we can send you a six-month supply to jumpstart your good mood.

Q: Can I be terminated?

A: Well, we certainly hope that won’t happen. It’s a fun job that’s flexible and can be done from anywhere. But yes. Failure to meet your side of the obligations, or if you do not follow all of the rules, or do anything else that violates the terms of your contract , we or Ignite may choose to end your gig as the Good Mood Gig blogger.

Q: Where do I create my profile?

A: You can create your profile on SAM-e.com, where you’ll need to give us a few details about yourself, as well as answer a few questions about how you find your good mood.

Q: Can groups, such as a family or classroom, apply?

A: Unfortunately, no, only individuals can apply. Nonetheless, we encourage you to get the support of your community in helping you get the job.

Q: Are there any other reasons why I wouldn’t qualify to apply?

A: You must be a resident of any one of the 50 states or D.C. and you can’t be a minor in the state you live in (in most states you are a minor if you are under 18, but the age of majority is 19 in Alabama and Nebraska and 21 in Mississippi). Also, you can’t apply and win if you or someone in your immediate family works for us or Ignite or any company that is affiliated with us or Ignite.

One more restriction is that you can’t be under any contract or member of any group (like the Writer’s Guild of America) that would prevent you from blogging for the Good Mood Gig under your contract with Ignite.

Q: Once I’ve submitted my application, how can I be selected as the Good Mood Gig blogger?

A: Selection will be in two phases. In the first phase, visitors to www.SAM-e.com will be able to vote for the person they think will make the best blogger. Remember, to get your friends and family to vote for you so you make it to the second phase.

In the second phase, the top twenty vote getters will be asked to create a video and write a short essay to show us why they deserve to be the Good Mood Gig blogger. We’ll post the phase two videos on www.SAM-e.com and just like in the first phase there will be a public vote on the top 20 vote getters’ videos and essays. But, in the second phase, we will also have a say in who is chosen. In fact, in the second round our panel’s vote will count for more than the public’s vote. Our panel will select the individual that they think submitted the best essay and video.

So first, you’ve got to make it to the second phase and then in the second phase you’ve got to impress the voters and our panel.

Q: Is there anything I can’t talk about in my application?

A: Be sure not to make comments in your application that relate to you or someone else’s personal health information, depression, anti-depressants, curing depression, treating depression, or depression drugs. Remember to check out the Terms & Conditions for more restrictions on what can and can’t be in your application.

Q: If I’m chosen, what happens next?

A: You’ll have to read, agree to and sign Ignite’s contract for the independent contractor position. Then, since you’d be working for Ignite, you’ll have to take part in all hiring procedures that potential contractors of Ignite normally take part in. This could include a background check.

Q: Can I apply by mail?

A: Yes, check out the Terms & Conditions for details.

Q: If I already have a job, can I keep it?

A: Yes, you can, but it is your responsibility to confirm with your current employer that it’s not a problem for them, and we reserve the right to exclude a participant with a conflict of interest—like working for a competitor.

Q: Any ideas of how I can promote myself and get more votes?

A: Try grabbing one of our handy badges, or write a blog post, email your friends, update your Facebook or MySpace status, send Tweets, write letters, send carrier pigeons. Any way you decide – just be sure to get the word out. Votes count, so contact as many people as you can. Note, however, it is your responsibility to comply with the requirements of and restrictions imposed by third party web sites.

Q: What about taxes?

A: You’ll be under contract with Ignite Social Media, so you’ll have to fill out some tax forms. We’re pretty sure that the government will take a chunk of your earnings, but ain’t that America?

Q: When do I start?

A: If selected, as soon as you sign the contract and are hired, we’ll contact you and give you proper training to do your job right. After that, Ignite will decide on a date to kick off your six-month contract.

Q: When do I get paid?

A: Slow down, you have to get hired, first! But if you do get the gig, you’ll get a monthly check.

Q: Are there any other benefits?

A: Isn’t $5000 a month, a new laptop, and working about 10 hours a week enough? Aside from the very handsome salary, free electronics and a flexible schedule, you will receive no employee benefits such as health insurance, a retirement plan or paid vacation.

Q: Ok, so whoever gets the most votes wins, right? So is this a popularity contest?

A: Actually, not quite. Phase 1 of the application process is strictly based on votes. From there, the finalists who make it to the second phase will be decided in part by the number of votes they receive and in larger part by a panel of judges. We reserve the right to hire the person who is most qualified of those folks. We want someone who can do the job.

Q: Is there room for advancement? Could this turn into a long-term thing?

A: Who knows? If you impress us enough, you could get another contract with Ignite.

Q: Is someone looking at the entries? Are they being monitored in case of inappropriate applications or cheaters?
A: Yes. We want to makes sure the voting process is fair and accurate and as possible, so there’s only one vote per IP address allowed per day. We also have people watching the applications for suspicious activity. And of course, anyone who violates the term & conditions will be removed at our discretion. Nothing personal, but we are doing our part to keep it fair.

Q: I keep getting some error message that I’ve already voted, but I have not voted yet today. What’s going on?

A: The talent search allows one vote per IP address per day. What that means is that if you have a computer on a shared network, like in an office, you might have trouble voting if someone else has voted that day. This is due to certain security and firewall settings preventing multiple users with a shared IP address from casting individual votes. Unfortunately, we can’t control firewall settings, so try voting from another location.

Q: What if I have more questions?

A: Check out the Term & Conditions first, and if you still can’t find your answer, just email GoodMoodGig@ignitesocialmedia.com.