How to use ShowTaxi, step by step: Sign up for an account
Now that we're getting started, things are going to get wordy, but it's not that hard to understand our ShowTaxi lingo. We'll explain what the terms mean here as we go along.
The first item you're going to sign up for a ShowTaxi account. It's really easy, but it requires that you confirm your email address with us, and that you pay your account setup fee with PayPal.
Getting to know the ShowTaxi Console
Right now, you're looking at this help page - content on our public site. Once you decide to become a ShowTaxi client, you'll do everything to manage that account, from the initial sign up forward, in another, special, private area of the site called the "console". You'll know you're in the console area because the header will change on the pages, and will look like this:
You're able to get to the console at any time by clicking on the Manage tab on the menu bar. You can get back to the main, public part of the ShowTaxi.com site from the console by clicking on the Home tab.
It's time to sign up - do this clicking on the Sign up tab - last tab on the right up there. Here's the info you'll need to enter:
Account tag
Throughout the subscription creation process, you're going to see the word 'tag'. It's meant to give you a clue as to what your feeds and channels are named, as you can always create more feeds, channels and offers (more on what the heck those mean in a moment).
Your site tag is a one-word nickname for your account, and will appear to your subscribers in your ShowTaxi RSS URLs, so pick wisely. If your podcast is the Vegan Podcast, try 'vegan' as your site tag - it will appear as 'http://vegan.showtaxi.com...' in the URLs your listeners will receive. If you're planning on managing more than one podcast with this account, you might consider your name or your company's name for the site tag.
Website URL
Enter the main website URL for your podcast.
Main user: email address
Choose an email address to use as your login. It doesn't have to be your PayPal address, but it is the address at which you'll receive administrative notices.
Main user: Password
Choose a password carefully. Don't use a word that can be looked up in a dictionary, or anything less than 8 characters. For security purposes, include numbers as well as letters. Write your password down on a sticky note, along with your chosen login email address, and slap the sticky note on your computer's monitor.
We just wanted to see if you'd fallen asleep. Don't do the sticky note thing.
Contact info: Name and phone number
These items are optional, but they do make it easier for us to contact you when you have problems with your account.
Please enter then name and phone number of whoever will be responsible for the technical administration of your ShowTaxi account.
Accepting the Terms of Service
Review the ShowTaxi Terms of Service document, and then check the box to confirm that you've done so and you agree to the terms.
Watch your email inbox: confirmation needed
If you've filled everything in, and you're sure it's accurate, click on the Continue button to create your account and get logged in. You'll get a message letting you know that ShowTaxi is sending you an confirmation email message that makes sure we've gotten your email address correct. There will be a specially coded link in the email message that will whisk you back to the ShowTaxi site to complete the sign up process.
Activating your ShowTaxi account
Click on the link in that confirmation email, and when you return to the ShowTaxi site, there will be one last step for you to take care of: your setup fee. Click on the "Activate via PayPal" button, and you'll be taken to PayPal to pay your account set up fee. If you have a promotion code, you can enter it in the text box above the button, and you'll be charged the resulting fee at PayPal.
Paying your activation fee
At the PayPal site, enter your information - either as a PayPal payment from your existing PayPal account, or via a credit card. Once you pay your fee, and you'll be returned to the ShowTaxi site.
All tagged, confirmed and paid up? Then you're all set and ready to enter your podcast information. Now, let's move on to create a Feed.