How to choose a story category
A Story Category helps organize your NailTeller story by its main topic.
Choosing the right category makes it easier for readers to understand what your story is about and find stories that interest them.
There is no “best” category. Choose the category that most accurately represents the main event of your story.
What is a story category?
A Story Category is the main topic used to organize your story on NailTeller.
It tells readers what kind of experience, situation, or event they can expect before they open the full story.
Readers may browse NailTeller by category when they want to find a particular type of story. For example, someone may want to read stories about salon drama, difficult customers, workplace relationships, or unexpected situations.
Your category should describe what the story is mainly about. It does not need to describe every person, detail, or event mentioned in the story.
Why choosing the correct category matters
The right category helps your story reach readers who are most likely to be interested in it.
Choosing an accurate category:
- Helps readers find stories they want to read.
- Makes browsing NailTeller easier.
- Improves the accuracy of search results.
- Keeps stories organized by their main topics.
- Helps readers understand what to expect from your story.
For example, imagine your story mentions a demanding customer, a disagreement between coworkers, and a surprising conversation with the salon owner. The correct category should represent the main event that drives the story, not every smaller event that happened along the way.
Available story categories
Review the available categories and choose the one that most closely matches your story’s central event.
[Category name]
What it means: [Explain the type of story included in this category.]
Choose this category when: [Explain when this category is the best match.]
Example: [Add a realistic nail industry example, such as a customer interaction, workplace incident, salon relationship, or unexpected event.]
[Category name]
What it means: [Explain the type of story included in this category.]
Choose this category when: [Explain when this category is the best match.]
Example: [Add a realistic nail industry example, such as a customer interaction, workplace incident, salon relationship, or unexpected event.]
[Category name]
What it means: [Explain the type of story included in this category.]
Choose this category when: [Explain when this category is the best match.]
Example: [Add a realistic nail industry example, such as a customer interaction, workplace incident, salon relationship, or unexpected event.]
[Category name]
What it means: [Explain the type of story included in this category.]
Choose this category when: [Explain when this category is the best match.]
Example: [Add a realistic nail industry example, such as a customer interaction, workplace incident, salon relationship, or unexpected event.]
Tips for choosing the right category
Focus on the main event
Ask yourself what the story would be about if you had to explain it in one sentence.
For example, a customer may complain about a service, argue with the salon owner, and leave without paying. If the main story is about the customer refusing to pay, choose the category that best represents that central incident.
Do not choose based on one small detail
A story may include several different people and situations. One small moment should not determine the category unless that moment becomes the main focus of the story.
For example, a funny comment from a coworker does not automatically make the entire story a funny story if the main event is a serious workplace conflict.
Think about what readers would expect
Imagine a reader selecting the category and opening your story. Would the story match what that reader expected to find?
If the answer is yes, the category is probably a good choice.
Choose the strongest overall match
Sometimes more than one category may seem appropriate. Choose the category that describes the largest and most important part of the story.
Do not worry about finding a category that describes every detail perfectly. Focus on the best overall match.
Keep the central theme in mind
The central theme is the main situation that connects the beginning, middle, and ending of your story.
For example, a story may mention salon gossip, money, and a difficult appointment. If the entire story is really about a friendship ending because of salon gossip, choose the category that best represents that relationship or conflict.
Common mistakes
Choosing a category because of one minor detail
Do not select a category just because one small part of your story matches it.
Choose the category that represents the main event readers will remember after finishing the story.
Trying to include several unrelated topics
A clear story usually has one central topic, even when several events happen.
If your submission contains multiple unrelated stories, consider focusing on the strongest story instead of trying to place everything under one category.
Selecting a category that sounds more interesting
Do not choose a category simply because it seems more popular, dramatic, or entertaining.
An accurate category creates a better experience for both the storyteller and the reader.
Choosing the funniest moment instead of the main story
A story can include funny moments without being mainly about humor.
Choose a funny or humorous category only when the humor is the central reason for telling the story.
Ignoring how the story ends
The ending often reveals what the story is truly about.
For example, a story may begin with a routine manicure appointment but end with a customer making a serious accusation. The accusation may be the main event and should guide your category choice.
Frequently asked questions
Can my story fit more than one category?
Yes. Many real nail industry stories include several topics, people, and emotions.
When more than one category could apply, choose the category that best represents the main event. Think about which category readers would expect to see first after reading your story.
Can I change the category later?
If your story can still be edited, you may be able to update its category.
If editing is no longer available, use the NailTeller contact or support option for assistance.
What if I am not sure which category to choose?
Summarize your story in one sentence. Then choose the category that most closely matches that sentence.
You can also ask yourself:
- What is the biggest event in this story?
- What caused the main conflict or surprise?
- What part would readers remember most?
- What would readers expect after seeing this category?
Should I choose the funniest part or the main story?
Choose the main story.
Select a humor-related category only when the funny situation is the central focus. If the humorous moment is only one small part of a larger conflict, relationship, or customer experience, choose the category that represents the larger story.
What should I do if none of the categories seems perfect?
Choose the closest available category.
A category does not need to describe every detail. It only needs to accurately represent the primary topic of your story.
Does the category describe the storyteller?
No. The category describes what the story is mainly about.
Your Role identifies who is telling the story, while your Story Category identifies the main topic or event.
Can I choose a category based on another person in the story?
Yes, but only when that person’s actions are central to the story.
For example, if a salon manager appears briefly in a story that is mainly about a difficult customer, choose the category that matches the customer incident. If the manager’s decisions create the main conflict, choose the category that best represents that situation.
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