Frequently Asked Questions

Back to top ABOUT HOOKED IN 60 SECONDS

What is HISS?

HISS (Hooked in 60 Seconds) is a music contest website designed to allow for creative freedom and fun. HISS posts themed music contests and members enter, then vote on the entries to select a music contest winner. The overall theme – you have 60 seconds to get other members hooked on your work.

Why was HISS created?

Isn’t music supposed to be fun and inspiring? We think much of that has been lost in the pursuit of success. So this is your chance to express yourself and regain that creative edge.

Who created/designed the HISS website?

HISS was designed by us, a group of musicians – some aspiring and some working – and put together over the course of 18 months by a team of web designers.

When did it officially launch?

HISS was launched in June of 2010.

Mentioned in the press…

Coming soon.

Back to top GENERAL

Who is in charge – what are they in charge of?

HISS is overseen by a team of musicians and website designers. We make sure the rules are followed, your rights are protected – and we’re keeping it fun. Remember fun?

Are there any guidelines for participating on HISS?

This is supposed to be an uplifting atmosphere for musicians. To ensure that, we won’t allow bickering, cussing, cheating, stealing material or general debauchery. We will not hesitate to remove anyone from the HISS website if we think you’re bringing others down.

Are there any slang terms I need to know?

HISS stands for “Hooked in 60 Seconds.” BTB stands for “Beat the Band.” FVS stands for “FairPlay Voting System.” ASR stands for “Average Song Rating.”

Back to top ADVERTISING INFO

How can I find out about advertising on Hooked in 60 Seconds?

Great question! Drop us a note from the Contact page and we’ll get right back to you. HISS is a great place to advertise any music-associated products or content.

How much traffic does HISS get?

Coming soon.

What kind of advertising is available?

There are 4 advertising locations on HISS – most pages on the left-hand side (image), the top-center of most pages (image), sponsoring a contest and our premiere location in our HISS Radio. The HISS Radio ad features both an image and audio ad. Of course all the ads are linked to your website. No ads are given preference – they are rotated randomly.

Back to top ENTERING MUSIC CONTESTS – ABOUT MUSIC CONTESTS

What should my entry consist of?

HISS contests are all themed, so your entry should be in line with the theme. If it’s not, it probably won’t score very well. If it’s obviously not following the theme, we may remove it.

What cannot be used in an entry?

Unless it is a remix, mashup or some other contest specifically asking you to use existing material, all entries must be your own work. This is your responsibility – you are liable if that is not the case.

How do I submit an entry to the music contests?

You must first be a member and logged in. Then check the Home page to see which contests are open for submission.

Do I have to pay if a contest costs credits?

You get free credits when you create a HISS account. Most contests cost credits. If you run out of free credits, you will need to purchase (or win) more to enter contests.

Do I have to find somewhere else to host and store my entries?

No. We host and store them for you.

Are there size or time limits to my entry?

Most contest entries are limited to 60 seconds and 4000 KB. Other limits will be posted in the contest information if they differ.

What happens if my entry is disqualified?

Depending on the reason for disqualification, your credits may be returned. That is up to the HISS admin.

Can I enter the same composition in more than one contest if it fits?

No. Because members have heard it before, for better or worse, and may not rate it fairly.

What kinds of files should I enter?

Mp3 files only. Quality is important, but keep file size in mind as well.

I entered a contest, so why aren’t I ranked yet?

Members are not ranked until they have entered at least 5 contests. This prevents someone who gets a 10 on their first entry (not likely) from being ranked #1.

Back to top VOTING

How does voting work?

Once a contest is open for voting, members can listen to the entries and vote on them based on a scale from 1 to 10, 10 being best. You must listen to at least part of an entry before you can vote on it. The winners are then selected based upon the highest average score using the FairPlay Voting System.

What is the FairPlay Voting System?

The FVS ensures that voting is done fairly – at least as fairly as we can. Ratings on an entry are averaged, then all ratings NOT falling within 3 points of that average are removed. The ratings are then averaged again. This knocks out the lowest and highest ratings, as they don’t fall within the general rating consensus.

Do I have to vote on every entry?

No, but that would be nice. If you stop voting while entries are left, you can log in at a later time and pick up where you left off.

Can I vote in a contest I’m entered in?

Yes, but you won’t be able to vote on your own entry. And please don’t intentionally vote low on other entries. If we see that kind of voting pattern, you will be removed from the HISS website.

What guidelines should I take into account when rating an entry?

Adhering the theme, creativity and execution.

Will they see that I rated them – see my name?

No. The only time they will see your name is if you comment on an entry. Even then, they won’t see the rating, only the comment.

Do voters know it’s my entry as they vote?

No. Entries are anonymous till voting is done.

Am I allowed to use two different accounts?

Up to 4 accounts can be made using the same IP address.

What kind of feedback is forbidden on entries?

Use common sense. No bashing. No cussing. Be constructive or encouraging or don’t bother.

Back to top FORUM

Can I discuss contests that are open for voting?

No. You can only discuss contests once the voting process is over and the winners have been announced.

What is inappropriate behavior in the forums?

This is supposed to be an uplifting, fun website. If you behave in a way that we feel detracts from that, you can be banned.

Back to top LEGAL INFO

What are my privacy rights at HISS?

HISS will not sell, loan or otherwise give your information over to anybody without a proper legal subpoena. All information remains completely private. We may collect information for statistical purposes, but your personal information will never be tied to it in any way.

What are the HISS guidelines?

To read the BIG text of HISS terms, click on the TERMS link at the bottom of any page.

Who owns the copyright to all audio work submitted to HISS?

You do. The submitter maintains the copyright to all of his or her submitted audio. HISS reserves the right to store, modify, and display all audio or images uploaded to the site permanently, without restriction. We also reserve the right to use submitted entries for HISS-related promotions in the future. We act as an aggregate copyright holder, with an interest in the collection and display of submitted audio/images on our site. You may not take copyrighted audio/images off of the HISS website without our consent. This includes direct linking to audio/images on our server.

Does HISS retain any legal rights against me and my entries?

HISS reserves the right to store and display your uploaded audios/images and derivatives thereof permanently and to use them in advertisements and for publicity purposes where possible. We don’t take any of your own rights away from you, nor do we own your audios/images. We reserve the right to take legal action against you (and to share your personal information with the proper authorities should it be legally requested by them) due to your involvement in illegal activity via the HISS website or properties (i.e. hacking, sharing sensitive military information, copyright violations for monetary gain, libel, slander, etc...).

Can I take audio from HISS’s website without permission?

No – not for any reason. You may not use, display or make available audio/images from our site without our permission.

Does HISS have to take an audio I uploaded down if I ask?

No. By submitting your work you have agreed that we have the right to display it indefinetly. But we will consider your request and act as we feel is needed.

Back to top CREDITS

What is a credit?

A credit is the unit of currency used on HISS.

How do I use credits?

You use credits to enter music contests. The average contest costs 10 credits.

How do I buy credits?

If you run out of the free credits given to you when you signed up, you can purchase more through PayPal. Just log into your HISS account and next to your credit total you’ll see “Get More Now.” Click on that to purchase a credit package. The more you buy, the more you save.

How quickly until my account is updated with the credits after I’ve paid for them?

The exchange should be instant – no longer than 24 hours. If not, please make sure to let us now.

Can I get my money back if I don’t use up all my credits and never use HISS again?

Sorry, but there are no refunds on credits – no exceptions.

What’s the exchange rate for credits?

A single credit is worth $0.10. For better deals, buy credits in larger numbers.

Can I transfer my credits to another HISS member?

Nope – they are yours to keep.

Can I buy credits if I don’t have a PayPal account or credit card?

Currently, that is the only payment method we accept.

Back to top HISS RADIO

What is the HISS Radio?

The HISS Radio is where you can hear some of the full-length songs our users have created. Just open the radio, select a station and listen.

How does a song get on HISS Radio?

The HISS admin decides which songs make the cut. But if you want to get a song played, it MUST be a song from your profile – not just a contest entry.

Back to top FEATURED MEMBER

What is a Featured Member?

HISS Featured Members get displayed randomly on the Home page for all to see and hear.

How can I become a Featured Member?

Currently, HISS admin selects Featured Members. In the future, that may be an upgrade you can purchase. Stay tuned!

Back to top PERSONAL SETTINGS

Can I change my username or display name once it’s been set up?

You can’t change your display name, as that is how others on HISS will recognize you. But you can change your username from the Edit/View Your HISS Profile link once you’ve signed in.

Can I reset my account and wipe away my stats?

Sorry, no.

Where can I access my profile?

Once you’ve logged in, click on the Edit/View Your HISS Profile link in the Member Login box.

Back to top LOGGING IN

How do I log in to HISS?

Logging in allows the system to identify and track your account for you. If you do not log in, you cannot upload entries, post comments or take part in most of the HISS website. This is a security measure. If you have an account, just log in by using the login box on the left side of the Home page.

What do I do if I have problems logging in?

First, make sure you are typing carefully. Any error in your username or password will block you from getting in. Second, make sure you have confirmed your e-mail account. When you registered, a confirmation email was sent to you. You need to click on the link within that email to activate your account. Make sure to check your junk mail as well. Third, are you sure you registered? If not, you must do that first.