Gavin Needs Your Help!
Posted on May 14th, 2008 by Gavin under Gold Building
Hello to all you Gavin groupies out there! This is Lawbringer, a staffer here at Dominate Your Server. I help Gavin with research and development here at the site and we’ve got a killer opportunity for all you serious WoW players.
You might be wondering why Gavin isn’t telling you this news if it’s so great. Well, while working on his new leveling guide (maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned that, forget I ever said anything about it), his hands and arms were mangled beyond recognition in a horrible stampede during the completion of the quest “Kodo Roundup” in Desolace.
I mean, he really took one for the team this time. The guy is a complete Warcraft freak. To make matters worse, it took me a while to figure out what he wanted me to write today, since he has also lost his voice (no joke). I think he was typing with his nose during our IM session (which would explain the horrid spelling). When G isn’t writing about WoW, he’s talking about it. All the time – the hard part is getting him to shut up. Laryngitis has now set in and he’s completely out of service.
Needless to say, it will be a while before the first aid trainers can get him back typing all those killer tips and tricks you all like so much. That’s where you come in.
Think you know as much about WoW as Gavin? Now’s your chance to prove it. Many of you post regularly here at the site, and now you have a shot at being a regular staff writer for Dominate Your Server!
I couldn’t be any happier about working for Gavin here at Dominate Your Server. I mean, how cool is it to get paid to play WoW? Out of the millions of people who play this game, it’s so awesome to be one of the very few who get paid to do what I would be doing for free.
So here’s what Gavin is going to do. We’re holding a contest starting, well, right now. The contest will run for two weeks only. During these next two weeks, you can submit up to five articles about World of Warcraft. Gavin and the DYS (Dominate Your Server) staff, including myself, will judge those entries based on the following criteria:
25% Style – the more fun it is to read, the more we will like it. Originality and humor captivates readers.
25% Content – Accurate information is the only thing that will make the cut.
25% Expertise – If you can show that you have special and in-depth knowledge about a specific area of the game, such as your class, build, PVP, professions, or Raiding please feel free to impress us.
25% Grammar and Syntax – Our writers are painstakingly selected and masters of their craft. We don’t want to have to hire an editor to clean up messy structure.
Besides bragging rights in the game, and some notoriety here in the real world, there are also killer prizes to be had. The winner gets $500 bucks and a staff writing job here at DYS. Second place $250 dollars, and third prize is $100. Nice! Third prize pays your WoW account fees for 6 months!
Articles should be between 500-1000 words. Screenshots need to be no wider than 475 pixels and should be no larger than 30k, preferably PNG format. Submit your articles in a zipped file to contest@dominateyourserver.com – If you include screenshots; no more than 5 per article, and put each article and its screenshots in a separate subfolder in the zip file so we can tell what shots go with which article. Also, leave us clear notes in the article telling us where the screenshots should be placed.
Articles must be submitted before midnight on May 28th, and we’ll announce the winners on Saturday, May31st. What a great way to start June – 5 crisp, new $100 dollar bills in your pocket and a sweet new job to boot!
We all sure hope big G gets the use of his larynx and phalanges back very soon, but his misfortune is your gain! So start writing, and always remember to Dominate!
















I have to admit I dont know everything about world of warcraft, I have only played it sinceit first came out, I am a pvp nut and I can pve as well. if u have a question ask and I will do my best to answer,
I have been working on submitting some of my material for the contest and for some unknown reason I can not seem to use the address given in the text above. I know it will more than likely not be above now while you are reading this post.
I would simply like to send this material to you so that if it is of interest someone out there can get some use out of it. I have a few seventies and a have been playing for a little over 2 years. If you could send me a link via e-mail it would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You,
Richard U.
im ready to make money and play
History of World of Warcraft
Origins of WOW are unknown to most, but play an
essential role in the minds of its players. The
storyline and lore are built from historic and
current idealogies that play important roles in
the lives of humanity.
For example, lets take the two factions. The
horde is often recognized for being the evil
side, but few know why. The reason is because
the Horde is governed by the same collectionism
idealogies shared by real world communists.
This collectionist idea is that everyone’s first
priority should be the horde itself. One
popular phrase to summarize this point of view
is, “For the Horde!.”
The alliance side, although unpopular,
represents the individualism idealogy
characterized by the real world Capatalists.
This viewpoint says to its members that they
have the right to be a dwarf or an elf, but we
still need to stand united as a team to fight
for our freedoms from those that will take it
away!
As a experienced wow enthusiast, I have noticed
many things taken directly from the real world,
but the most interesting of them all is the very
history and lore behind the storyline. Many
players believe that the creators of wow were
simply creative to have made up this imaginary
world, but if you know anything about science
fiction, you know that almost all of it is
inspired directly from the real world.
WoW this would be a great opportunity for me, depending on the subject i could do loads of articles
, Just have to give me some ideas and i’ll get started
Server: Draka (horde) Lvl 70 Warrior
Server: Cenarius (horde) Lvl 70 Warlock
I am disabled & play WOW alot Ive got many toons at different lvls & it would be awesome to get paid for it if its possible
I have been playing since before the Burning Crusade expansion, so i know a lot about WoW, but not exactly everything. My natural language is english, so i could be perfect for this job. I am both a PvP user and a PvE user, so i can help almost anyone out there.
HEhe… ill send some tips… my rogue lvl 47 pwns lvl 60s super easy and iam not even a twink just i have lost of rogues i think 27 of them is rogues 22 are 70s.. i love pvp and i have the best tip how to get to lvl 70 for only 6 days of playing.
I may not be learning something everyday [at least, not worth passing on], but I do have a good command of the English language. I find it very sad when I see typos all over the place: newsletters, web sites, even printed articles.
I would be pleased to proof-read for you, for a nominal fee. I enjoy the Net but become distracted and distressed by the failure of others to use spell-checkers AND proof-readers.
I am a 59 yo female with a BA who totally loves WoW. This is one of the times I’m kind of glad I am single: it will offend no one if I am on WoW as often as possible.
Please keep up the good work, I enjoy the newsletters.
im not very old but i think i have enough experience in wolrd of warcraft for that job
im still french but good in english
I don’t have any end game characters but I do have MANY pre BC characters and can discuss almost any class as I have at least one of everything.
I am a college student so I can’t play WoW full time, but I will see if I can’t submit some material which will make life easier for my fellow players.
ummmm… i would love to do this i have played for a while i have 1 70 working on another character i have played allot of the classes and understand there attacks and spells i would love to give back to the war craft community i do go to school so i cant be on full time all the time but i have lots of fee time in the after noon so yea
Hey Guys,
Thanks for all the feedback. Allow me to clarify:
1) You must have a command of the English language. The editors are sticklers, and if your articles are written in leetspeak or grammatically incorrect, you’re not going to win.
2) This is NOT a full time job. You don’t have to play WoW 40 hours a week. You won’t have to move and work out of our office. You’ll be a contracted writer who will be paid on a per-article basis.
3) Richard – the email address is correct in the post… just copy and paste. We’ve already gotten submissions, so the email address is working.
4) Charles – your article needs to be submitted via the email address, please.
Ok, I’ve got to go get some ice on my fingers…
-Gavin
im 16 years old I have been living in Canada for my whole life. I have a lvl 70 wow character that should give u a heads up of my wow knoledge. I have very good english and I like to read articles all the way down to news-papers. Im not sure if im old enough for the job but one thing im sure of is that im the right one for it
If Gavin would like an insane way to lvl a character, say up to 40 in a few hours, have him hit me up with an email or i can explain it to him on vent sometime. I think it is time for the “World” of warcraft™ to know about this.
Well, I have been playing WoW ever since it came out. I stopped playing but bout’ to play agian in a month. I know gold, farming, combat and class secrets not even most 70’s know I’d like to share my knowledge, but only if you want me to.
-John
George – We don’t care how old you are (as long as its not illegal for you to work in Canada). Submit up to 5 articles – we’ll choose the winner based on those.
Doctaru – I’ve just emailed you.
John – Just write up a few articles and submit them. We’ll read and evaluate each and every one.
-Gavin
this will be easy for i know about ever little detail in the game!! i can wright about 50,000 words for one article no lie in less then 2 days!! if you want to here more from me contact me at austinl109@yahoo.com
how do i sign up for this? i think i have potential
I play this game every day. And I know lots of this game. I think it would be fun to do this.
soo… do we have to be an adult to get this job? I hope not…
I find it kind of funny because I’ve been looking for a for the last 3 weeks so when I saw this I got pretty excited. I just have two questions. First is, if I live in the United States and I still get that job and get paid. I don’t know much on laws. Secondly, do we have to do 5 articles to win or is there a chance we do one and still win? Please email me a responce becuase I look at my email more than I look at this website.
More answers to your questions:
Nick – You don’t need to sign up.. just write some killer articles and email them to contest@dominateyourserver.com
DDM – If you can write well, and have good knowledge of WoW that can help other players, you’re eligible for the job. If you’re at least 16, then there should be no problem. If you’re under 16, we’ll need to discuss the details with your parents.
Brian – I want to emphasize that this is NOT a full time traditional job (you won’t move to Houston and work out of our office 40 hours a week). This would be a freelance writing gig – you’d be an independent contractor.
-Gavin
I have played WoW sense Day One know the English language. very well have Many Level 70’s Know hot spots For Great Farming and Also Reputation Farming and how to make easy Gold Quick! without
Game Master’s harrasing you very knowledge about all classes are better for Certain Types of Farming in Game.
Small little question, Lets say one of the many people submitting articals gets first place, and gets the job. But his/her account is canceled (Not being paid for) My guess is that the person hired would have to take care of that themselves. Also another question is the prize money in cash or a check?
Wow, you have an office, staff and everything. And here I was thinking you did this website virtually by yourself.
Jarrod -
The writer we select will need to have at least one active, paid-for World of Warcraft account. The person who gets the job will be getting paid a lot more than $15 per month, so our hope is that he’d be able to keep his account active.
The prize money will be paid by check. If this is an issue, we can work out alternate arrangements.
-Gavin
Hi! I would like to say sorry for my incorrect grammar before. I would love to do this i have played for a while I have one 70 working on another character. I have played allot of the classes and understand there attacks and spells. I would love to give back to the war craft community i do go to school so i cant be on full time all the time but i have lots of fee time in the after noon. I know a lot of the history of world of warcraft. I also have ran a lot of instances. So i can help which most if not all questions. So yea if you need any more information please email me and ask away.
What is the rate for the per-article assignments should we win your confidence? I would really like to enter, and the prize money is nice, but I wonder what the long term value might be?
Thanks, keep up the good work Gavin!
Crazy how many people are using incorrect grammar/spelling to apply to a writing gig!
Are the article topics the author’s choice or are they commissioned? I mean for the actual staff position, not the application.
Hey sup gavin been reading your stuff for a while now…just about to submit an article. I am from Australia though so was just wondering if that would still be ok. Cheers ID
Wow! I can’t believe the ‘quality’ of writing in these posts! If the articles submitted follow this pattern, I pity the poor reviewer trying to decide whose style is least offensive.
Hey, I’m Elliot. I’m a perfectionist of English. Sometimes at school everyone calls me an English nerd because I figure out almost every typo in any sentence. So I can basically perfect any sentence. Just give me something fix up and it’ll be completely perfected.
I was just wondering what kind of articles are you looking for? (i.e. instances, leveling, personal experiences, farming, etc.) I also am an admin GM on a private server, would you like some articles about that experience? Any feedback, just e-mail me back. Thanks Gavin, your tips have helped me out when I was a real noob!!! Keep up the great work and hopefully we will be working together soon.
so, we have to create a article like the ones on the site? may be a stupid question, but i’d like to be sure
More answers:
Tim – we’re looking for somewhere in the neighborhood of 20 articles a month for $25 each (around $500 a month).
David – most of the articles will be author’s choice. Occasionally we’ll have some requests, based on the author’s expertise.
Elliot – that’s great, but we’re all set for editors… just looking for writers right now.
Tim – a combination of the following topics: How to play better, how to level faster, how to get more gold, how to get rep faster/fastest, news articles on patches/recent changes, where to farm… honestly, anything that will help newer players play better and get more out of WoW.
Holyperson – Yes, what we currently have would be a good indicator of the types of articles we’re looking for.
-Gavin
Oh, I can write well, too. It depends what you need me to work on and I can start typing it A.S.A.P. So send me an e-mail Gavin on what you want me to work on. You already know my e-mail, so I’ll hopefully see it soon.
Hi Elliot –
If you get the job, you’ll be freelancing… writing about whatever you like. As such, you should choose your topic(s) for your submissions. We’re not going to be telling you what to write on a daily basis…
Looking forward to your submissions!
-Gavin
I do believe this may be one of the most shocking things I have seen to date; getting paid to sit around and write about how I make fast cash in Wow, instead of doing my dishes or folding laundry… This is Great! lol
I am a full time stay at home mom and I love to write!
I thank you in advance for taking the time to read my submissions, I will definitly get started right away.
~Happy Hunting
Hey Gavin, I don’t play anymore =( so i couldn’t be of any use but if you start one for FFXI i’ll be there =)
All right Gavin, I hope I get it. It’ll be great working on WoW!
Tracy – awesome! Can’t wait to read your submissions!
Shane – People still play Final Fantasy 11???
-Gavin
Hey Gavin…didnt know if you saw my post or not or if you just didnt see the question. So was just wondering if it matters whether or not im from America as to whether i can win any prizes etc. I am from Australia.
Cheers ID
gavin you sent me an email containing the words GET PAID TO PLAY! but i see that you have sent sevrel emails to other clients of worldofwarcraft.if you do need me or want me to join your tricks/tips to worldofwarcraft then simply reply back to the email address darkrounge@msn.com !!!!
Well I am currently reading the WOW books and am catching up on the history of it. Like how Illidan came to power and stuff like that. Anyway I am told I have a great detail for telling stories, but we shall see.
But as for everything there is to the MMORPG aspect. I’m not that sure jut yet. I am getting some great tips from my homies at work that play. So I’m getting better. Problem is they are PVP’ers and I am a PVE’er..(like those are even proper grammer)
I’ll send a submission and lets see what happens……
Til next time….
Same WOW channel….
Same WOW time….
Do you reply to all submissions regardless of whether they win or not?
It would be nice for some feedback on the stuff we sumbit.
I wouldn’t mind playing wow for cash. Ive had 2 lvl 70s only problem is my accounts be stolen so i dont have one any more : /
Hey guys, more answers:
Instant Death – We’ve got no problem with you being in Australia.
Josh – we’ll do our best to provide feedback to all submissions, but we can’t guarantee it.
-Gavin
Im happy to write articles for $25 each u got skype or Xfire for a chat ?
Hey Brandon,
We’re going to need to see some writing samples first – thus this contest. If you submit an entry, and you’ve got what it takes, we’ll be in touch with you…
-Gavin
Well give me some think to write about and tell me where to post it and ill give it a shot.
hey gavin i have alot of information about the game i really dont care if i get paid or not al long as i get to write.thats all i want to do is write i am a very good type and i speak very well. so if u need me u know where to find me bud. =)cya later alligator.
by the wayi have been thinking u teach me and its my turn to return the favor.
hey gavin u know even if i dont get picked ill always be ur friend no matter what happens.
like i know u can grind for gold.
and i know tips alot of them.
This is a wonderful opportunity and I thank you for this chance to help my fellow gamers. Will the winning entry be used or will the author of the winning entry need to rewrite that entry for use? For example, I’m sending in my best kept “new toon” secret, will that be published to the world or will I have to add it into another article later on to get it published? Should I actually win, of course.
I know heaps about specs and when to use them
as well as some gold grinding places that have never let me dowm
Ama – we’ll post the winning articles so people who did not win will see what kind of quality we’re looking for (for next time). Unless you really don’t want us to… but then what’s the point?
Michael – Great! Can’t wait to read your submissions!
-Gavin
ive seen a couple of tips on wow but im not 100% sure they will work.
ill tell you about one quick gold scheme,
you got to be lvl 60+rogue works best if u r 70 but ive seen 60 do it. go to naxxramas and use stealth and pick at these boxes in the wall, the stuff they have in them can sell in AH for alot, it will help if u have vanish aswell incase they see you. the tip was made b4 BC so i dont know if the stuff sells for as much now but its worth a try.
I’m great at writing stuff… but for those who don’t know how to make their Article into a Zipped file… need an explanation… and I being one of them, need it…
If some1 could reply on this Thread or is some1 from DYS could, TY in Advance.
NOTE: I don;t use “1337 speak” unles in-game or typing short things
Ben – don’t sweat the zipping of files… just write an article and email it to the contest email address, and you’ll be fine.
-Gavin
So Gavin are you scared. All these people with ‘good english speaking language skills’ who can’t read the basic instructions at the top of the contest?
Observer -
Nah… the submissions have been pretty good so far. A few have been horrendous, but overall not too bad.
-Gavin
So, in any way will we see our articles pre published by subbmitting them to you. I have a fairly good one written out but I am afraid to submit it via, possible purgury. I hope your not like that and offering an honest deal but please reausre my uneasyness.
Thanks Much,
John
Man this would be a dream job, getting paid while to play, though the only hard part is coming up with a good enough article, I can say I’m the greatest as well ive been playing since like 05 or 06 but iv not had a pc that could run it
but you may have gotten a tip from me earlier on about the doing and redoing the repeatable quest that gives you bloodbelly fish and 50 silver, but Blizz nerfed it so you only get fish and no money now… things like that.
Yeah guys, I don’t think posting here is going to help your chances of being selected. ‘Course in the off chance that it does, here’s me typing this =).
If only my 40+ hour per week job would allow me enough time for raiding and writing… if only.
Good luck in finding your new writer Gavin and keep the articles coming!
I love this game, but i go to boarding school so i dont get much time to play other than my short holidays… I have a Lvl 61 warrior and i love learning and exploring the world and this is a sweet oppourtunity to get some cash. But i am at school right now and i don’t have a chance to play or write anything… Oh well its a great idea and i hope you get some good stuff. Maybe you should consider having a blog from Gavin’s fans weekly so everyone gets a taste of what everyone else is doing?
JENK
Hi Gavin,
Im just wondering if we should include anything in the email besides articles and screenshots? Should we include our name and stuff?
Marco
John,
We will most certainly credit contributing authors with their work. Stealing copy is not the way we have built such a loyal readership. While we may not post all of the articles we receive, we will make sure that any posts we make from contest submissions will give clear credit to the author.
Your not looking for the best “tip” on gold farming etc. like everyone else is posting here are you Gavin? If I understand correctly, your looking for the best writer? Who cares if you can farm 10000000g an hour, if you can’t write it up in a good article, your chances are slim I think, write Gavin? I’m a tad confused.
Hey, I might not be the best experienced WoW player but I’ve got few tricks up my sleeve. I know many good profession tricks and farming techniques. Even if I do not get picked to receive prize I still would like to help out and be credited with my work. With that said I still am going to submit articles because you never know who could be picked.
@Josh,
I’m sure you need a balance of both. Who cares if you write for the New York Times- if you’ve never played WoW. Goes both ways.
Marco,
Yes, please include your name and stuff with your submissions. We’re tracking the submissions by email address tho, so if you submitted and forgot to include your name, we’ll just email you back and ask for it
-Gavin
So giving away any inforamtion on Articles you liked so far? No need for names, just title’s etc? Would be nice.
I see that you said this:
Tim – a combination of the following topics: How to play better, how to level faster, how to get more gold, how to get rep faster/fastest, news articles on patches/recent changes, where to farm… honestly, anything that will help newer players play better and get more out of WoW.
Does this mean you all are not interested in PvP article writers?
Me again, can we attach it as a Word Document?
Or something of similarity?
PLs let me know, TY in advance
I’ll be writing
well as great as this sounds i wouldnt have the time to evan attempt to write a article. i spend way to much time doing my dailys, to preb for raids. then spend 4 hours a night spending all my gold on repairs. what im getting at is you need some more pages on complex fights. tips for gear and stats class’s need. what you need for tanks, dps and healers. for a enconter. lvling guides and gold farming tips just dont cut it for alot of people who dont need it. i.e peaple who raid. we are the “peaple with no lives” you could make alot of peaples lives alot easier with tips for raiding. I am a lvl 70 tauren resto shammy. who has no need for tips but im sure alot of new raiders would like some sort of help. anyway i like to rample and before i know i wrote a chapter book. thanks for this offer but no thanks . gl to the next guy. now back to my dailys. /sigh
interesting proposition, to bad i didnt find out about it sooner. i will see if i can whip something up tonight.
about the job, whats the sallary? or is it contract work?.
Cheers,
R.
Has Gavin died or something? Havnt had any reply from the email I sent either.
Im getting worried because I’m not sure whether my Article was recieved by them or not and it’s coming up to Saturday.
Josh,
Rumors of my demise are totally untrue. I have been laid up in bed with strep throat since Friday, however, so I’m not exactly 100%.
-Gavin
Ok, get well soon. But can you just confirm whether you recieved my artilce? I sent it from guitarmad_mosh92@hotmail.co.uk
Hey Gavin and Josh,
I got your guide the day it came out about 3 years ago and I know Alot About WoW I know This Entry Is Late. But I Would Like To Submit Anyway. I Know Alot about Low Lvl Instances and would be great help to those who need some help at low Lvl categories My Highest is lvl 29 And I am great at The english Language considering im am from the United States Of America. I have always wanted to help out the WoW community I just never found a way to express it. If Any way possible Even if I don’t get paid. I would like to be able to help anyone that needs it. It would mean so much to me to be giving back to the community. Hope you feel better Gavin. Good Luck to all in the contest. =-)
Thanks For All You Help Gavin And Josh,
Alex
What are you thanking me for?
So, who won? It’s June 1st now.
Hah, yeah I been pretty anxious myself.
waiting on edge all day. Hoping for an announcement soon! =)
still, you gotta be nice to the sicky (i guess =P)
I wouldn’t say that I know it all… I wouldn’t even say I’ld know half of it but I’ve been playing since it came out and have many years of experiance so if you have any questions Mail me and I’ll either give you the answer or find it out for you
Ok at this point of world of warcraft there is no point of any new players even bothering basically if you like me were one of the players who played from the very start of wow no body can match us i belive that the bc was a big step in a wide world of noobs attempting to play the game the new expansion looks promising but my doubts about the death knight are a strong point u see blizzard are saying how they would like to start bringing out more more hero classes?? will this kill of the rest i belive so as soon as wraith of the lich king comes out i for one will not be making a death knight i will stick with my night elf rouge (rambotnick) till lvl 80 just for when bgs come to life i can show the rest of this idot players how to do it .. (horde) Powerhawk 70 shaman (horde)Traden 70 mage (alliance gnome)gardengnomer 70 rouge and(nightelf rouge) rambotnick 70 rouge and from that comment by alex about low lvl instances does he not under stand if u wanna be a true wow player the name of the game is get to 70 as fast as u can low level gear means nothing its an waste of time so is any instance below 68
What this country needs is a good five-cent nickel.