Content Creator Onboarding Checklist¶

Summary¶

Use this checklist to onboard new content creators and ensure they're confident using SkyCMS to manage your website content.

Overview¶

Use this checklist to onboard new content creators and ensure they're confident using SkyCMS to manage your website content.

Purpose¶

This checklist helps: - New Team Members: Quickly get up to speed - Managers: Track onboarding progress - Administrators: Ensure consistency across team

Who Uses This¶

New Content Creators: Everyone joining the content team
New Editors: Anyone with content management responsibilities
Contributing Team Members: Subject matter experts needing to create content

Timeline¶

Complete within: First week of employment or content responsibilities

Recommended pace: - Day 1: Access setup, system orientation - Day 2-3: Training on core tasks - Day 4-5: Practice and first live content - Week 2: Follow-up and advanced topics

Pre-Onboarding (Before First Day)¶

Account Setup¶

[ ] Email created: New team member has company email
[ ] SkyCMS account created: Username/email established
[ ] Password set: Temporary password generated
[ ] Role assigned: Correct permissions set (Editor, Contributor, etc.)
[ ] Access tested: Administrator verified account works
[ ] Welcome email sent: Contains login info and first-day instructions
[ ] Resources prepared: Guides and documentation compiled
[ ] Equipment ready: Computer/device set up with browser

Documentation Prepared¶

[ ] User Guide: Printed or PDF copy
[ ] Quick Reference Card: Common tasks cheat sheet
[ ] Content Guidelines: Brand voice, formatting standards
[ ] Contact List: Support contacts and resources
[ ] First Task Prepared: Initial content to create/edit ready

Day 1: Welcome & System Orientation¶

Welcome Session (30 minutes)¶

Conduct welcome meeting with new person:

[ ] Welcome: Warmly greet team member
[ ] Role explained: Clarify their specific responsibilities
[ ] Team introductions: Introduce to relevant team members
[ ] Workspace tour: Show physical workspace/meeting areas
[ ] Tools explained: Overview of systems they'll use
[ ] Questions answered: Address their questions
[ ] Schedule set: Plan training timeline

System Access (30 minutes)¶

Help them log in and explore:

[ ] First login: Successfully log into SkyCMS
[ ] Password changed: Temporary password updated to permanent
[ ] Dashboard tour: Show main interface/navigation
[ ] Account settings: Explain where to find preferences
[ ] Help resources: Point out documentation/support options
[ ] Profile updated: Upload profile photo (optional)

Documentation Review (30 minutes)¶

Go over key materials:

[ ] User Guide reviewed: Walk through main sections together
[ ] Quick reference distributed: Explain common tasks card
[ ] Content Guidelines reviewed: Discuss brand voice and standards
[ ] Contact list reviewed: Explain who to contact for what
[ ] Q&A completed: Answer questions about documentation

Initial Setup¶

[ ] Phone/computer set up: Tech equipment working
[ ] Email functional: Can send/receive emails
[ ] VPN access (if applicable): Can access systems remotely
[ ] Passwords secured: Credentials stored securely
[ ] Two-factor auth (if used): Set up security features

Day 2-3: Training on Core Tasks¶

Training Session 1: Creating Pages (60 minutes)¶

Hands-on training on page creation:

Preparation: - [ ] Test pages ready for demonstration - [ ] Example content available - [ ] Q&A whiteboard ready

Training: - [ ] Demo first (20 mins): Show page creation step-by-step - [ ] Navigate to Create Page - [ ] Enter URL - [ ] Select template - [ ] Click Create

[ ] Guided practice (25 mins): They create page with help
[ ] Create test page together
[ ] Show Visual Editor
[ ] Add content to editable regions
[ ] Q&A (15 mins): Answer questions
[ ] Why certain URLs are used
[ ] When to use which template
[ ] Common issues

Deliverable: - [ ] New person creates one test page independently

Training Session 2: Editing Content (60 minutes)¶

Learn to edit and format content:

Preparation: - [ ] Sample page with content ready to edit - [ ] Visual Editor interface explained

Training: - [ ] Demo first (20 mins): Show editing process - [ ] Click Edit button - [ ] Enter Visual Editor - [ ] Click content areas to edit - [ ] Add/remove text

[ ] Guided practice (25 mins): They edit sample page
[ ] Edit existing content
[ ] Add formatting (bold, italic)
[ ] Add links
[ ] Practice with heading levels
[ ] Q&A (15 mins): Clarify concepts
[ ] Difference between Draft and Published
[ ] When changes save automatically
[ ] How to undo changes

Deliverable: - [ ] New person edits existing content independently

Training Session 3: Publishing & Workflow (45 minutes)¶

Understand the publishing process:

Preparation: - [ ] Workflow diagram prepared - [ ] Example showing Draft/Published states

Training: - [ ] Draft vs. Published explained (15 mins) - [ ] Draft = work in progress - [ ] Published = live on website - [ ] Only published visible to public

[ ] Publishing process (15 mins)
[ ] Save changes
[ ] Exit Edit mode
[ ] Click Publish
[ ] Verify live
[ ] Workflow review (15 mins)
[ ] Who approves content
[ ] When to publish
[ ] How to request help
[ ] Escalation process

Deliverable: - [ ] New person publishes a test page

Day 4-5: Hands-On Practice & First Live Content¶

Practice Assignment 1: Create New Page¶

Task: - Create a real page (with supervisor approval on content)

Checklist: - [ ] Page created with correct URL - [ ] Appropriate template selected - [ ] Title and meta description added - [ ] Content added to all editable regions - [ ] Images/media added (if applicable) - [ ] Links verified - [ ] Saved successfully

Review: - [ ] Supervisor reviews draft - [ ] Feedback provided - [ ] Revisions made (if needed) - [ ] Published with approval

Practice Assignment 2: Edit Existing Page¶

Task: - Update an existing page with new content

Checklist: - [ ] Page opened in Edit mode - [ ] Content updated correctly - [ ] Formatting applied (headings, bullets) - [ ] Images updated (if applicable) - [ ] No typos or errors - [ ] Links verified - [ ] Saved and published

Review: - [ ] Supervisor reviews changes - [ ] Verify page displays correctly - [ ] Provide feedback

First Live Content (Optional)¶

[ ] Simple content assigned: Non-critical page/section
[ ] Supervisor reviews: Checks before publication
[ ] Published together: Walk through publishing together
[ ] Verified live: Check published version
[ ] Celebrated: Acknowledge first live content!

Week 2: Advanced Training & Follow-Up¶

Check-In Meeting (30 minutes)¶

After first week:

[ ] How's it going?: Ask about their experience
[ ] Any blockers?: Identify challenges
[ ] Questions?: Address outstanding questions
[ ] Confidence level: Gauge comfort and independence
[ ] Feedback: Ask for suggestions on training
[ ] Next steps: Discuss advanced training or new tasks

Advanced Topics (as needed)¶

Schedule additional training if needed:

[ ] Images & Media: Uploading, optimization, File Manager
Time: 30 minutes
Format: Hands-on demo
[ ] SEO Best Practices: Titles, descriptions, headings
Time: 30 minutes
Format: Presentation + review of their pages
[ ] Troubleshooting: Common issues and solutions
Time: 30 minutes
Format: Walkthrough of common problems
[ ] Advanced Formatting: Tables, embeds, custom HTML
Time: 30 minutes
Format: Demo + hands-on practice

One-on-One Support¶

[ ] Office hours: Schedule regular check-ins (weekly first month)
[ ] Slack channel: For quick questions
[ ] Email support: For detailed issues
[ ] Pair programming: Sit together for complex tasks

Knowledge Verification¶

Understanding Assessment¶

Verify new person understands key concepts:

Page Creation: - [ ] What is a URL? Can explain purpose - [ ] What is a template? Can explain when to use different templates - [ ] What is an editable region? Understand why some content can't be changed

Editing: - [ ] How to enter Edit mode - [ ] How to click and edit content - [ ] How to add formatting (bold, italic) - [ ] How to save work

Publishing: - [ ] Difference between Draft and Published - [ ] How to publish a page - [ ] Understand approval workflow - [ ] Know who to contact with issues

SEO: - [ ] What is a page title? Why it matters - [ ] What is meta description? Why it matters - [ ] What is heading hierarchy? Basic structure - [ ] What is alt text? Why images need it

Practical Skills Assessment¶

They should be able to independently:

[ ] Create a new page: Start to finish without help
[ ] Edit content: Find and update text correctly
[ ] Publish a page: Move from Draft to Published
[ ] Find help: Know where to look for resources
[ ] Ask questions: Comfortable reaching out when stuck

Resource Access¶

Ensure Access to All Resources¶

[ ] User Guide: Can access and navigate
[ ] Quick Reference Card: Available at desk/digitally
[ ] Content Guidelines: Familiar with brand standards
[ ] FAQ Document: Knows where common questions answered
[ ] Contact List: Has support contacts programmed

Online Resources¶

[ ] SkyCMS Documentation: https://www.moonrise.net/cosmos/documentation/
[ ] Knowledge Base: Link provided (if available)
[ ] Video Tutorials: Links provided (if available)
[ ] Slack Channel: Joined #skycms-help or similar
[ ] Shared Drive: Access to shared documents/templates

In-Person Support¶

[ ] Primary contact identified: Know who to ask for help
[ ] Backup contact identified: Know who to contact if primary unavailable
[ ] Response time expectations: Know when to expect replies
[ ] Escalation path: Know who to contact for urgent issues

Setup Completion¶

System Setup Verified¶

[ ] Account active: Can log in anytime
[ ] Permissions correct: Can access assigned pages/areas
[ ] Email notifications working: Receives system emails
[ ] Preferences set: Time zone, language, etc. configured
[ ] Profile complete: Profile information filled in

Documentation Setup¶

[ ] All guides provided: User guide, quick reference, guidelines
[ ] Marked as read: Confirmed they received materials
[ ] Stored accessibly: Can find when needed
[ ] Updates understood: Know how to get latest versions

Schedule Confirmed¶

[ ] Work schedule: Knows regular work hours
[ ] Availability: Knows when primary contact available
[ ] Training schedule: Knows remaining training dates/times
[ ] Deadlines: Knows when first content due
[ ] Check-in schedule: Knows when to check in with supervisor

First Month Check-In¶

End of Week 1¶

[ ] Comfort level assessed: Gauge confidence
[ ] Any critical issues: Address blockers immediately
[ ] Small wins celebrated: Acknowledge progress
[ ] Adjustment period normal: Reassure learning curve is normal

End of Week 2¶

[ ] Independence growing: Less need for help expected
[ ] Content quality good: Review published pages
[ ] Questions decreasing: Normal learning progression
[ ] Confidence building: Encourage positive momentum

End of Week 3-4¶

[ ] Working independently: Can handle most tasks alone
[ ] Asks good questions: Shows critical thinking
[ ] Content quality high: Consistent with brand standards
[ ] Ready for more responsibility: Prepared for advanced tasks

Month 2+¶

[ ] Established routine: Regular publishing pattern
[ ] Minimal support needed: Only for new/complex tasks
[ ] Contributing ideas: Suggesting improvements
[ ] Training others: Can help new team members learn

Completion Sign-Off¶

Manager Verification¶

[ ] Training completed: All sessions finished
[ ] Tasks assigned: Initial content responsibilities clear
[ ] Competency verified: Can perform required tasks
[ ] Support identified: Knows where to get help
[ ] Integration successful: Comfortable with team

Manager Name: __ Date: __

New Team Member Confirmation¶

[ ] Ready to start: Feel confident about role
[ ] Know support contacts: Know who to contact
[ ] Have resources: Access to all documentation
[ ] Understand expectations: Know what's expected
[ ] Excited to contribute: Ready to start creating content

Team Member Name: __ Date: __

Notes & Feedback¶

Onboarding Notes¶

[Notes from training sessions, specific challenges, strengths observed]

Trainer Feedback¶

[What worked well, what could improve for next person, lessons learned]

New Team Member Feedback¶

[Their experience, suggestions for onboarding process]

Quick Reference for New Content Creators¶

Most Important Links¶

Log in: [SkyCMS URL]
User Guide: [Link]
FAQ: [Link]
Support email: [email protected]
Help chat: [Slack channel]

Most Important Steps¶

To Create a Page: 1. Click "Create Page" 2. Enter URL (lowercase, hyphens) 3. Select template 4. Click Create 5. Click Edit 6. Add content 7. Click Save 8. Click Publish

To Edit Content: 1. Find page in list 2. Click Edit 3. Click content area 4. Make changes 5. Click Save 6. (Optional) Click Publish

When Stuck: 1. Check Quick Reference Card 2. Search User Guide 3. Ask in Slack 4. Email [Support Contact] 5. Call [Phone Number] for urgent

Welcome to the team! We're excited to have you creating great content.