General Information 

What is Storm Gardens?

StormGardens.com is a website that features flash, video, art, audio and game type content that is all user generated.

What makes this site different from other websites though?

Storm Gardens allows the content creators to bid on and rent billboards to promote their content located throughout the entire website completely free. We also offer the ability for groups of people to form what we are calling Studios, where you can collaborate with other members and help promote each others content.

Billboards 

What exactly is a billboard?

A billboard is like an ad, however the only thing that can be placed on a billboard is user content that is submitted to Storm Gardens.

How many billboards are there where I can promote my content?

For every piece of content on the website, there are 2 rental billboard spots for a user to rent and promote their content. There are also 2 rental billboard spots on every user and studio profile. In every section of the website, there are also major billboards for users to bid on. These billboards are mostly larger and in premium locations, such as the Now Playing Section on the home page. For an entire list of the premium spots available for bidding, go to The Major Billboard Center.

How much does it cost to rent or bid on a billboard?

Prices vary, however, no real money is involved. Each user sets their own Storm Point prices for their rental billboards. Bidding for premium spots may be different depending on what other users decide to bid. You may only use Storm Points to bid on or rent a billboard.

How many billboards do I have?

Two billboards automatically appear on each content page. So, for however many pieces of content you submit to Storm Gardens, the more billboards you will control. There are also 2 rental billboard locations on each user's profile.

How do I set my billboard prices?

On the My Account page, under Billboard Center, click on Regulate Prices.

Am I allowed to rent my own billboards?

Yes, you may rent your own billboards. That is a great way to promote new content that you have made, if you already have a popular piece of content submitted.

How long do I keep a billboard when I rent it?

The rental period lasts one week. This allows everyone a chance to rent billboard space in any specific spot.

What is the Off Site Billboard?

The Off Site Billboard allows you display a Storm Gardens rental billboard on your own separate site. Off Site Billboards reward you with Storm Points each time someone, other than the billboard owner, clicks on it, along with the Storm Points gained from someone renting a spot.

Storm Points 

What are Storm Points?

Storm Points is the currency used on Storm Gardens. They are mostly used to rent or bid on billboards. You may also use Storm Points to create your own Studio.

How can I get Storm Points?

You earn Storm Points for each content view, your content receives. Currently, for each view, you receive 5 Storm Points. You also receive Storm Points when someone rents one of your billboards.

I am viewing my content but not receiving any Storm Points. Where are they?

You do not receive Storm Points for viewing your own content.

My friend said he has viewed my content but I got no Storm Points! Where are they?

He/She may have already viewed your content 3 times that day. Once a single user views a piece of content 3 times in one day, their views no longer count towards awarding Storm Points until the next day.

Studios 

What is a Studio?

A studio is essentially a group of people who want to help each other in promoting and creating content.

How can I join a Studio?

Studios are invite only. However on each Studio's profile page, there is a link to send an application to join. If they like you, they will send you an invite. You may also apply to Studios through the My Account page, under Studio Information - Apply to a Studio.

How is joining a Studio helpful?

A studio helps in that a studio can give you a contract, which in turn gives you Storm Points which can be used to promote your content. Studios also allow you to have your own forums, where you can have private discussions with Studio members. You may also post private news which can only be viewed by Studio members.

How can I make my own Studio?

Go to the Studios Section under My Account and click on Create a Studio. The current price to create a Studio is 500 Storm Points.

Can I be in more than one Studio at a time?

No, you may only be in one studio at a time.

Can I leave a Studio to join another or to make my own?

You may leave a Studio at anytime as long as you don't have any kind of contract with the Studio at the time.

Contracts 

What is a contract?

A contract is an agreement between you and your studio. It allows the Studio to invest in member content. Usually the Studio will offer you a certain amount of Storm Points to promote a specific piece of content for a percentage of the Storm Points you gain from views.

How do I get a contract?

To get a contract, you must have submitted content to Storm Gardens and belong to a Studio. It is up to the leaders of your Studio to offer you a contract.

I got a contract but my Storm Points did not increase. Where are they?

When you accept a contract with a Studio, the Storm Points may only be used on the content that the Studio gave a contract for. Therefore, they will only appear when you are renting a billboard for content with a contract. If a Studio voids a contract early, and the Storm Points are guaranteed, then you will be able to do whatever you want with the unused Storm Points.

Once I accept a contract offer, how can I get out of it?

If you wish to get out of a contract early, you will have to ask your Studio leaders to void the contract. However, they don't have to void it if they don't want to.

Experience Points 

How do I get experience points?

Experience points are rewarded each time you earn an achievement.

What achievements can I earn and how?

A detailed list of all achievements is shown on the Achievements Page. New achievements will be made as time goes on.

What do experience points do?

Experience points decide what list you appear on. Like in the real Hollywood, there is an A, B, C, and D list. Generally, the more experience points you have, the higher up the list you will be.

How many points do I need to be on any particular List?

This will vary with the amount of experience points earned by all members. The top 15% of all members will appear on the A List, the next 20% of members will appear on the B List, the next 25% of members will appear on the C List, and the bottom 40% of all members will appear on the D List.

Once I am on a certain List, do I stay there forever?

It is possible to be lose your status if there are members who gain more experience points than you. However, the same is true the other way also. You may start out on the D List, but you always have the chance to climb your way up to the A List.