This post is for people who have no idea what /r/mixersclub is, or don't mind being reminded.

Yes, it's more or less spam, but it's a senior mod-approved spam. Also, this is not a commercial enterprise, no one is making any profit from this, except the USPS. Some newer members of this community might not be aware of it, so I've put together this FAQ for anyone who might be interested.

Q: What is the mixers’ club?

A: Mixers' Club is a monthly exchange of DIY juice and feedback. Once per month, members send in a submission pack of four 10ml samples of one or two recipes they would like to share and receive focused feedback on. In return, they will receive four or eight samples of different recipes from other participating members once a month.

Then we critique all the shared recipes for that month, make recommendations, and help other mixers refine their craft. Sometimes we showcase our very best and bring attention to outstanding recipes that otherwise may be overlooked. Sometimes we send in rough drafts and get badly-needed guidance on how to proceed.

Q:How does the exchange work? How do I participate and become a member?

A: More complete guidelines for membership and participation can be found here. Follow these instructions, as there are details not included in this overview. But its pretty simple, really.

1. Create a recipe you would like to share or get feedback on. Even brand new mixers are welcome, but please read and ask for help if you need it. Do not mix the samples with nicotine.

2. Fill four 10 ml plastic bottles with your recipe, and then mail it to us.

3. Post your recipe, with (preferably) or without notes, in the monthly submission thread.

4. You will be assigned into a group of four other mixers, and will receive a sample of a recipe from each of them. You will receive a package shortly afterward containing the samples.

5. Leave critiques, reviews, and feedback. This is not an option, you must leave feedback on all received samples.

Q: What’s the appeal of the exchange? Couldn’t I just post my recipes online to share them, or mix the recipes of others to review them?

A: Members can try a number of different e-liquid recipes, recipes that they may never have chosen for themselves, using flavors they might never have ordered. It is a place to explore outside your usual flavor profile and easily weed through recipes until you find the ones worth buying the components for. It is also a place where you can receive the feedback essential in perfecting a flavor, and have light shown on the work you have put into developing these recipes. Posting a recipe online and hoping to receive attention or even feedback on your hard work is a little like farting into the wind. Anyone can post a recipe online but it’s unlikely they will ever see the light of day- receiving new recipes packaged and mixed makes the sampling process infinitely easier.

Q: Why does the club use a distributor? Wouldn't it be simpler to mail direct, or do 1 to 1 exchanges?

A: We use a distributor (That's me, by the way!) to reduce costs, reduce address exchanging, and to increase coherency. If you are mailing directly you will be mailing to four people, as opposed to one person, and will have to pay for four return trips, instead of one. This would exponentially increase costs, hassle, and probability for error. If you are mailing directly you will have to exchange your address with four people, every exchange. By using the distributor model, you are sharing your address with two trusted members and that information will never be shared with anyone but those two members, for as long as you are participating. If you opt to leave the club and discontinue membership, we will delete all personal information associated with your membership. By putting people into groups of five, the club allows for more personal and focused feedback on all submissions.

Q:Why do we submit four samples per submission? Why not 3, or 5, or 10?

A: We ask for four samples to keep cost low and group sizes where we want them to be. We ask members to check with their local post office for their first month, and see how many stamps it will require from their location, but generally 4 or 5 stamps will cover a parcel of this size anywhere in the US, depending on the weight of your packaging materials. We want members to be able to drop their submissions in mail boxes, and not require a trip to the PO box every single month. It reduces cost, and is more efficient for everyone involved.

Q: What if I can't participate some months?

A: That's fine! Other that the requirement that you give an honest review the samples your receive, it's pretty much an obligation-free club. People take a month or two off all the time.

Q: What if I am new to mixing? Can I still participate?

A: Absolutely! The beauty of the club is that it's a place to showcase recipes but also to learn and help other mixers. We require feedback for a reason. And we focus on CONSTRUCTIVE criticism. Critiques are generally well thought out and polite. We don't bash people's work. If you need help on something specific, always feel free to post about the issue. If you're having trouble with a specific recipe, ask the Club for help or make a submission with the recipe to get specific feedback. Also, more experienced mixers in the club are more than happy to act as mentors to new mixers.

Q: What's up with these dumb themes in your Submission Threads?

A: They're fun. They also help answer the question "What should I make?" Also, they're entirely optional.

Q: I don't like you. Who else can I talk to about Mixers' Club?

A: /u/ConcreteRiver. That's right, the Iron Palate is not only a regular contributor, but also a moderator at /r/mixersclub. Get ConcreteRiver to review your juice like he reviews flavors. Also: /u/Chemicalburnvictim, /u/RinVapes, /u/deejaymillsnyc, /u/hocuskrokus, /u/LimeDrive, /u/Loonicorn420, /u/exclusivegirl, /u/lonesomerhodestn, /u/Kindground, and several others. Better yet, pop on over to our little sub and check it out for yourself.

Edit: removed an errant apostrophe