What You’ll Learn
- How to invite collaborators to your post
- What collaborators can see and do
- Managing pending invitations
- Maximum co-authors limit
Step-by-Step: Invite a Co-Author
Step 1: Create or Edit Your Post
Start by creating a new post or opening an existing draft that you want to collaborate on.
Step 2: Find the Co-Authors Section
Look for the Co-Authors section in your post form. This appears below the main content editor.
Step 3: Search for Members
Click on Add Co-Author to open the member search. Start typing a member’s name or username to find them.
Step 4: Send the Invitation
Click Invite next to the member you want to add. They’ll receive:
- An email notification (if enabled)
- An on-site BuddyPress notification
Step 5: Wait for Acceptance
The invitation shows as “Pending” until the member responds. They can accept or decline.
What Happens After They Accept
Once a member accepts your invitation:
- They can edit the post content
- They can upload and change images
- The post appears in their dashboard
- Their name will appear in the byline when published
Invitation Status
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Pending | Waiting for the member to respond |
| Accepted | Member has joined as co-author |
| Declined | Member chose not to collaborate |
| Expired | Invitation timed out (default: 7 days) |
Maximum Co-Authors
By default, you can have up to 5 co-authors per post (configurable by site admin). This count includes:
- Accepted co-authors
- Pending invitations
If you need more collaborators, ask your site administrator to increase the limit.
Canceling an Invitation
Changed your mind? You can cancel a pending invitation:
- Go to your post’s Co-Authors section
- Find the pending invitation
- Click Cancel Invitation
The member will no longer see the invitation option.
Removing a Co-Author
As the primary author, you can remove co-authors who have already accepted:
- Open the post for editing
- Find the co-author in the list
- Click Remove
The removed member will be notified and will no longer have edit access.
Tips for Successful Collaboration
- Communicate first: Message your potential co-author before sending the formal invitation
- Set expectations: Discuss who writes what sections
- Don’t overload: More co-authors doesn’t always mean better content
- Use post locking: The system prevents simultaneous editing conflicts
Troubleshooting
| Issue | Solution |
|---|---|
| Can’t find member | Check spelling; they must be a site member |
| Can’t send invitation | You may have reached the maximum co-authors limit |
| Member didn’t receive invite | Check their email spam; verify notifications are enabled |
Related Documentation
- Managing Co-Author Invitations (For Invited Members)
- Customizing the Co-Author Byline
- Co-Author Permissions Explained