How to Share Your Events and Announcements on Berkeley Patch

Berkeley Patch isn't just a resource for news — it's also a place for community members to share information. Events and announcements relating to Berkeley can be submitted directly to the site; there's no need to go through the editor to get published. 

Perhaps you'd like to announce the ? Or let the community know playing at a Berkeley theater? 

Our DIY system allows you to post events, such as , even if the event is recurring. Our announcements section means you can announce personal events — like the birth of a baby, an engagement, marriage or a death — or community shout-outs, such as , , or and . 

Here's how you can share your event or announcement: Click on the links below and fill in the blanks. The more photos and PDFs you upload, the better, and the more likely Berkeley Patch is to feature your submission in the "top spot" of the front page. You can even add videos. 

To post events, click here, or go to http://berkeley.patch.com/events/new

To post announcements, click here, or go to http://berkeley.patch.com/announcements/new

To help make your submission appealing and easily readable:

1. Avoid using capital letters and exclamation points. Let your information itself be the excitement.
2. Focus on the reader, not your organization.

• Tell the reader why he or she might want to attend your event, why it matters, or why it's surprising, enlightening or entertaining.
• Or help the reader see why your information is relevant in his or her own life or business. Start with that part, and give the background and details about your organization later.

If you talk solely about your organization's needs and background, you lose appeal and maybe even credibility. Be of service, and readers will have a reason to keep reading your contribution.

If you already have a press release, you can cut and paste the main body of it. But avoid including superfluous details like "For Immediate Release."

Also keep in mind there's no need to "sound" like a press release. Write as if you're writing an email to a friend. Berkeley Patch is a place where people can connect with people, online but locally. It's OK to sound like a personable person. There's no need to be overly formal.

Do proofread carefully. If you include typos, spelling errors and mistaken punctuation, it might make a bad impression or result in your submission being buried, instead of featured.

If your event is canceled or postponed, remember to revise your posting to let people know.