Frequently Asked Questions
If your question is not addressed here, please feel free to write to us at submissions@goalbookapp.com
I. Questions about Submissions
Is there a limit to how many submissions I can make?
No. You can submit as many times as you'd like. Our advice to first-time contributors is to complete 1-3 submissions. Our hope is that after working with us a bit, a new contributor will get a feel for what we look for in a submission.
Is sharing something that I have already created the only way to make a submission?
Yes, to start this is the only way to be assigned projects. Depending on quality, consistency, and timeliness, there may be other opportunities to be assigned projects on a more regular basis.
My submission wasn't accepted. Can I submit something else?
Yes. It is encouraged to share multiple submissions.
II. Questions about the Contract
Can I use a TIN (Tax Identification Number) instead of a Social Security Number for the W-9?
Yes. You can use a Tax Identification Number (TIN) instead of a Social Security Number (SSN).
What do I fill in for Box 2 and Box 3 of the W-9?
For Box 2: "Goalbook"
For Box 3: "Individual/sole proprietor or single member LLC"
For Box 3: "Individual/sole proprietor or single member LLC"
Will I need to sign a contract and W-9 for every project I do?
No. Once we have a contract in place with a contributor, future agreements will be made in writing over email. We will use an email with the subject line "Formal Extension of Contract" and in the email the following information will be included:
- Scope of project
- Requirements and expectations of deliverables
- Deadline date
- Payment amount upon successful completion of the project
Would I be a Goalbook employee or a contractor?
Content contributors work on projects through a 1099 independent contractor arrangement.
III. Questions about Payment
When will I receive payment?
We process payment at the beginning of each month. All projects completed and accepted for the month should be paid within the first 7 days of the following month. This means if a project is successfully submitted and accepted by us in January then the contributor should receive their payment within the first 7 days of February.
What information do I need to provide in order to get paid?
After you sign your contract, you will be invited to set up an account via Payable. Goalbook uses Payable to manage all payments for content developers. In order to be paid on time, please complete the following steps.
Setting up Payable
1) You will receive an invitation to join Payable from notifications@payable.com with Subject: Goalbook Invited You to Get Paid with Payable. If you have not received the email, please check your spam.
2) Accept invitation and create and confirm login details
3) Add basic tax info
4) Add W-9 details & E-Sign the W-9
5) Add payment details
6) Select Tax Form delivery preference
Setting up Payable
1) You will receive an invitation to join Payable from notifications@payable.com with Subject: Goalbook Invited You to Get Paid with Payable. If you have not received the email, please check your spam.
2) Accept invitation and create and confirm login details
3) Add basic tax info
4) Add W-9 details & E-Sign the W-9
5) Add payment details
6) Select Tax Form delivery preference
How will I be paid?
After setting up an account via Payable, you will be paid via direct deposit.
What information do I need to provide to set up direct deposit?
You will need to share the following information when setting up your Payable account:
- Your full name
- Bank account number
- Routing number
- Type of account (checking or savings)
What will the payment be like for subsequent projects?
What we offer to pay for a project depends on the type and size of the project. We also take into consideration the quality and efficiency of previous work from the contributor.
How are taxes handled?
Because content contributors are 1099 contractors, you will be paid in full and are then are expected to pay taxes on your earnings each year. We recommend that you consult the IRS website (link provided below), so that you will be prepared for April tax time.
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/self-employed
https://www.irs.gov/individuals/self-employed
IV. Questions about Projects and Submitted Work
What instructions, guidelines, or supporting information will be provided for the project?
The specific documentation provided varies on a project-by-project basis, but in general we will provide a brief description of the project, the deliverables, and an example of a similar completed project to use as a reference and starting point. We might also provide templates and "starter documents" to help accelerate and support the contributor.
How can I work on additional projects?
Depending on our evaluation of the first project submitted, and if the expectations detailed in the contract are met or exceeded, we would invite you back to complete more submissions. For contributors who have demonstrated consistent and successful completion of projects, we also proactively propose projects for them to work on. Accepting to work on a project that we propose is completely optional and up to the contributor.
Can I work on multiple projects at once?
Yes, as long as the submissions are approved to move forward. However, we generally do not have contributors work on multiple projects at once until they have demonstrated high-quality and timely project completion with individual projects.
Can I continue to make submissions while I am working on a project?
Yes. Actually, we encourage contributors to do so especially if they want to minimize any breaks between projects.
Is there an expectation for how many projects a contributor is required to complete?
There is not a required number of projects a contributor is required or expected to have. Of course, we hope that contributors who submit excellent work will continue to do so! But we are very flexible and want contributors to work on projects as their schedule allows. Our contributors can communicate to us that they either want more or less work and we can adjust the due dates and amount of assignments based on their availability and desire to work.
Can I use the content I create for my own personal classroom use?
Yes. You are able to use any content created by us for your own classroom and students--and we hope that you do! However, you are not permitted to distribute the content to others for free (e.g. posting on school/district websites) or for pay (e.g. Teachers Pay Teachers).
V. Other Questions
My trial login to Goalbook has expired, can I have a new login?
If a contributor accepts a project from us, we will make sure that their trial is extended to cover the length of the project. Some projects might required enhanced levels of access to our products, in which case, we will make sure that the contributor has the appropriate level of access to complete the project successfully.