User:ErrantX/Essays/Just Ask

An iconic set of photos donated by Kim Aldis

From an early age parents often used to say to me; if you don't ask you don't get. I expect that's a common memory - and it really is true. How many people have wanted something, and when you dare ask for it are surprised to receive an immediate "yes". To you, the asker, it seemed a big deal, but to the asked it was a simple decision.

This maxim also applies to Wikipedia. Often I see people getting in touch with establishments and convincing them to release media and other material under a free license. The photo, of an important historical moment, at the top of this essay was donated by a private individual (along with a whole lot of other images) after I found his material online - and asked him to release them under free license.

Often when I am answering OTRS tickets relating to copyright violations the authors will say something like "I don't mind the text appearing there, but please could you say it comes from my book". The idea of freely accessible information is not necessarily alien to people.

I think a lot more of our content could come this way.

How to ask

So how can you ask for new content? The obvious advice is to be bold and request it - some people will say no and you should respect their choice. But more than expected will express an interest. The important things to get across are:

• The meaning of a free license - i.e. what will happen to their work. I've seen the occasional complaint that individuals thought they had licensed their work to appear on Wikipedia, and failed to understand others would be able to also use it.

• Ask politely; even throw in some praise. Make them feel good about their work and try to show the value in releasing it more openly.

• Don't be afraid to sell the idea of open content. We are all here because we are passionate about those ideals. You're dealing with content creators - whether they be photographers, writers, etc - who are likely passionate about their work. So they understand that mindset.

• Use the standard templates; the best (for all content) is probably the one at commons:Commons:Email templates.

• Do the work for them. Make their decision as easy as simply placing their name at the bottom of a pre-filled email. Rather than asking them to upload material, do it yourself. Send the emails to OTRS yourself.

• Remember to ask whether they have a high resolution copy of an image - often lower resolutions are uploaded online.

The Process

Here's how I usually obtain permission:

• First contact; short email explaining who you are, what you would like to do, etc.

• If they are interested give them a longer email with the full details of free licensing - *include the pre-filled template*

• Once you have the permission/release upload the material and send the email to OTRS.

• Follow up with OTRS (even with a specific agent if you can find one). Things sometimes get backlogged and images get deleted without checking.