Ten Getting-Started Tips for New Users

If you are new to the Talent Exchange, here are some tips to get you started on the right footing.

1. Add a profile picture

A real photograph of yourself instead of the default icon indicates that you take things seriously and want to be seen.

To add a profile picture on the desktop site, log into your new account and click the [My Account] button. On your Account Details page, click the button next to Upload photo to upload a photograph of yourself. Select a photo from your computer and then click the [Update] button.

To add a profile picture on the mobile site, log into your account and tap the three small, horizontal bars at the top left. Tap on My Account and then My Picture in the right-hand menu (three small, horizontal bars at the top right). Take a picture of yourself and then tap the [Submit] button.

2. Check your details

The details about you that are displayed on the site are the details you provided when you signed up. Sometimes these are wrong or contain typos. That doesn’t look good. Correct any errors by going to your account profile as described above. After making any changes, click/tap the [Update] button to save the changes.

3. Hide contact details that you don’t want to be shown

If you do not want certain of your contact details to be displayed on the site, you can hide them. On the desktop site, click on the [My Record] button and then simply check the relevant Hide checkboxes and save your changes. Email addresses are hidden by default.

On the mobile site, log into your account and then tap on the three bars at the top left. Tap on My Account on the left slide-out menu; tap on the three bars on the right-hand side of My Account; tap on My Settings at the bottom of the right-hand, slide-out menu; finally, tap the Visible buttons to make them Hidden. While in there, you can also select your start page.

4. Upgrade your offerings

Again, the details about your offerings are what you provided when you signed up. Often these are too brief, may contain typos or are not clear what it is that you are offering. You were not able to submit pictures of your offerings when you signed up, so it is good practice to add pictures straight away. Offerings with pictures attract more attention.

Your offerings are adverts about what you are going to provide to the community of traders. The more detail you provide the more custom you will receive. Poorly described offerings will be ignored by others and result in disappointment with the Talent Exchange for you.

To edit your offerings on the desktop site, log into your account and click the [Offerings] button. Select My Offerings from the drop-down menu, which will list your current offerings. Here you can edit, delete, hide or update your offerings. Click Edit offer to edit an offering. From the Edit/Delete Offering page, click the button next to the Upload picture option. Select a picture from your computer and then click the [Update] button.

To add a new offering, do the same as above but select Add Offering instead. Choose a type (i.e. Talent-only, gift, barter etc.) and fill in the rest of the details as requested. Add a photo if you have one and click [Add Offering] to save it.

To edit your offerings on the mobile site, log into your account and tap the three small, horizontal bars at the top left. Tap My Account and select My Offers from the My Actions slide-out menu on the right-hand side. From the list, select the ad that you want to edit. Make any changes that you want and add a picture by tapping the button at Update picture. When done, tap the [ Update ] button. To add another offer, tap the three small, horizontal bars at the top left again. This time, tap Offers & Wants and then the + button at the top right. Enter a new offering and, if you want to, take a picture of it with your phone’s camera. Tap the [ Submit ] button to save it.

5. Add some wants

Using the details above for offerings, you can add some wants in a similar way.

6. Get to know the site

Get to know the desktop and mobile sites. The latter is much easier to understand and use, but has fewer features than the desktop site. The [Help] button on the desktop site gives you contextual help on the page that is displayed on your screen. There are also many useful tips on how to use the sites on the CTTE website here: https://www.ctte.org.za/category/tips/

7. Get active

Get to know other CTTE members by coming to our monthly markets. Here you can get to know who provides what. Often, market traders do not advertise their offerings as they do enough trade through the connections they make at markets. There is more going on in the Talent Exchange than can be seen from the offerings and wants lists!

8. Ensure that you are recorded in the correct local area

The Talent Exchange is divided up into a number of geographical sub-areas. These are logical areas where you are most likely to engage in trade with other members. It is important that you are recorded in the correct sub-area as this is indicated as part of the description of any ads that you place on the site. If no sub-area is displayed, other members will not know where you are and will probably ignore your ads.  Most members only want to connect with local members and not with those who live at the opposite end of town.

To check if you are in the correct sub-area, log into your account and go to My Record. In there you will be able to select your sub-area. Remember to update after making any changes.

9. Contact your local-area coordinator

Each sub-area has a coordinator, who is there to assist local members, organise events and create a sense of community. If you need assistance, you will find a list of coordinators under the [Information] button. Look for Sub-Areas.

10. Join the CTTE Telegram forums

The Talent Exchange has two Telegram chat forums. Join both to keep in touch and facilitate your trading. The joining links are visible on the home page of your account after you log in (desktop site).

CTTE Trading Group
CTTE Discussion Forum