What is slingshot? slingshot is a new initiative that will create advocacy, awareness and energy in the marketplace to support small businesses and the community. The website, joinslingshot.com, brings together a network of powerful allies—both small business owners and customers—who are committed to ensuring the continued success of small business. return to top
Why register (both as a small business and a customer)? If you are a small business owner, registering allows personalized content to pop up every time you log on. You will also be able to make your basic profile dynamic—add your business promotions/discounts, highlight offers and provide the latest news on your business. Plus, you can provide reviews of other businesses. If you are a customer, you'll want to register so personalized deals in your area pop up on your home page. As a customer, you have the opportunity to review the quality of service of businesses, give your opinion and chat with customers in your area. return to top
What else can I do on joinslingshot.com? If you are a small business owner, you can promote your business for free and attract new customers. You can also share information, articles and advice with other business owners. If you're a customer, you can search for local businesses in your area and search for special offers at businesses that are slingshot members. You can also read and write reviews on those businesses. return to top
How do I become part of slingshot? If you're not registered already, click here and sign your business up as a member. It's free, and it's a great way to get no-cost advertising for products and/or services, as well as keeping you in touch with the pulse of the local business community. return to top
Can I invite other businesses to join? If there are businesses you would like to become a part of slingshot, encourage them to sign up! If you have the business email, you can email the site to them by clicking on the "share this site" icon at the top of the homepage. return to top
What if I no longer want to be a registered guest of the site? If you are already registered on slingshot and you wish to be removed, you will first need to login to your profile. Simply click on "sign in" and enter your username and password. Once you have located your profile, select the "feedback" option in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Within the body of your message, type "I would like to be removed from joinslingshot.com," click on "send." However, if you wish to keep your registration and prefer to not have your profile visible to other members, simply select "edit profile." Under Account Information, change your profile visibility to "no one" and click "save." Your profile will no longer be visible to the public. return to top
What if I no longer want my business to be registered on the site? If your business is already registered on slingshot and you wish to be removed, you will first need to login to your business profile if you're not already. Simply click on "sign in" and enter your username and password. Once you have located your profile, select the "feedback" option in the lower left hand corner of the screen. Within the body of your message, type "I would like my business profile to be removed from joinslingshot.com," click on "send." However, if you wish to keep your business registration but prefer to not have your business profile visible to other members, simply select "edit profile." Under Account Information, change your profile visibility to "no one" and click "save." Your profile will no longer be visible to the public or other registered small businesses. return to top
How can I post content to the site? Registered customers can post business reviews and photos of their projects; registered business owners can post blogs and expand their business profile. To do so, you first must be a registered member. Membership is free; if you haven't done it yet, register with slingshot. Then log on, and go to your "my slingshot" page. Look for the "my profile" and "my blog" sections (business owners) or the "my reviews" section (customer). Follow the prompts from there. return to top
How do I report inaccurate content? slingshot is a user-generated community. We depend on our users to tell us when inaccurate information is added to the site. On the page where you spot any inaccuracies, simply click the link "report inaccurate information" and fill out the form that pops up. return to top
How do I report inappropriate behavior? Click on the "report inappropriate content" link and send the administrator an email detailing what files contain inappropriate material. The administrator will look at the content and determine if it violates the terms of conduct for the site and will have the ability to remove the content/file. return to top
How can I report a problem with the site? Please click on the "feedback" button and send us an email. return to top
I saw a slingshot window cling on the business next door; how can I get one? Click on the "slingshot gear" link at the bottom of any page on the site and place your order—it's free! return to top
What other things can I do to support local businesses? You can encourage other small businesses to get involved in the slingshot movement and join the slingshot site to take advantage of the free connections with local customers and free networking with other small business owners. return to top
Why does Capital One support slingshot? We have millions of small business customers. Their success contributes to our success—so obviously, we want them to do well. It's good for small businesses, it's good for the community … and it's the right thing to do. return to top
Will you be using my registration info for other Capital One Financial marketing purposes? No. When you sign up for slingshot, you are only consenting to receiving communications from slingshot and/or about slingshot. return to top
What if I have a question for Capital One and want to talk to someone? If you need to talk to Capital One about non-slingshot items, please call 1.800.867.0904 or visit capitalone.com. return to top
How secure is the information I share on slingshot? slingshot understands your concerns about information security. We do not rent, sell or share personal information about you with other people or nonaffiliated companies except to provide products and services you've requested, when we have your permission. We strive to keep the site and its information secure. It is important to keep in mind that information posted to public areas of slingshot, including message boards, home pages, guest books, blogs, etc., may be accessed by the public and by nonaffiliated companies. return to top
I have two small businesses; can I create profiles for them using the same username? We would love to have both of your businesses on slingshot. However, you must create individual profiles for each business using separate usernames. This will help consumers and other small business owners find your business in the appropriate category. return to top
I am having issues uploading files to my photo gallery. Are there any specific requirements for the files? Total file size cannot exceed 4 mega bites, and each user is allowed to save up to 20 photos per user account. Files must be uploaded in one of the following formats: JPEG, GIF or PNG. When uploading multiple files, allow up to 15 minutes before the photos will display within your public profile. return to top
I am having issues uploading my profile image (avatar). Are there guidelines for what size the photo should be? You can upload a JPG, GIF or PNG file. For best results, your profile image file size should be under 1 MB (megabyte). The profile images can be any size height or width (they will be resized upon upload), but for best display they should be 79x79 pixels. That is the exact dimensions of the graphic that is shown within your profile. If the image is smaller than 79x79 pixels, the image will be resized to those dimensions and may cause a pixilated effect. return to top
How do I get my businesses profile in the right category? When you decide to create a profile, you will be prompted to choose a category. If this does not happen, you can go to My slingshot and click on edit profile next to your picture/logo. Scroll down the page to My Business Information and you can choose your category. return to top
Is it possible to list my company under multiple categories? We encourage you to list your small business under the most fitting category and then you can enter whatever keywords that are relevant to your business return to top
How can I change the category my small business is listed under? If you would like to change the category in which your business is listed, go to My slingshot and click on edit profile next to your picture/logo. Scroll down the page to My Business Information and you can change your category. return to top
How do I contact businesses directly? Send a Message: Type the name of a business or a keyword into the search box. You will also need to include a city and/or state and/or zip code. Once the search is complete, click on the business you want to view. If you would like to contact the person prior to connecting, you can click on the send a message link under their username and type your message to the owner. return to top
How can I connect with other business owners and potential clients? Connect: Type the name of a business or a keyword into the search box. You will also need to include a city and/or state and/or zip code. Once the search is complete, click on any business that has a profile you would like to view. Next to the businesses picture/profile, there will be two orange buttons. One will say connect and one will say print. Click on the connect button if you wish to connect with that small business owner. You will be prompted to confirm you want to make the connection. return to top
How do I offer a deal? Log on to slingshot and go to My slingshot and click on edit profile next to your picture/logo. In the top naviation bar, click on My Deals. You will then be prompted to fill out the title of your deal, the details of what the deal includes, an offer start and end date and any keywords associated with your deal. return to top
What happens if my business name is spelled incorrectly? Log on to slingshot, go to My slingshot and click on edit profile next to your picture/logo. Scroll down the page to My Business Information, click on the edit link and you can edit your business name. return to top
Whom should I invite to join slingshot? Invite people who share your passion for supporting small business. We encourage you to invite everyone you know and trust. Because users like you create the content of this site, the more small businesses and customers use slingshot, the more this community will benefit everyone – with more unique deals, more connections and more support for small businesses everywhere. return to top
Whom should I invite to connect with me? Invite your friends, colleagues and those who share interests similar to yours to connect. As you make connections, you will be able to share advice, support and your passion for small business. return to top
How many invitations can I send? There is no limit to the number of invitations you are able to send. The only limit is the number of contacts you already have. As you make more contacts with others who support small business, feel free to invite them to join as well. return to top
Why do I have a copy of my invitation in my sent items? We felt it would be both important and useful for you to have a copy of the invitations you have sent. This will help you keep track of those you have invited to connect with you, and those who have accepted. return to top
I've sent invitations, what do I do now? You don't have to do anything else. Simply wait for your contacts to accept your invitation either to connect if they are already members of slingshot or to join if they haven't yet. It's just that simple. return to top