Want Coverage? We've Got Tips For You

Patch has been a part of the Oakton community for seven months now. But as we've grown, so have the demands on our time. We'd love to get you all more involved in the site to make sure we cover everything going on in Oakton.

We are hearing from you on a daily basis about events and stories. Here are some tips to have a shot at your news or event getting on the site.

1. Post it! If you are organizing an event — say a fundraiser or school fair — you can add it to our events calendar yourself. If you have a Patch login, you can go here: http://oakton.patch.com/events/new. The software will talk you through what you need to add.

The same goes for our announcements page. Want to tell the community big news about your company getting an award or scout troop earning an honor? Go here and create an announcement.

2. But can't Patch come and cover it like a news event? Often, we can. But we are a limited staff and there is much going on. If you want event coverage or have a story idea you would like to pitch, here is what to do:

Send an email to Oakton editor Nicole Trifone (Nicole.Trifone@patch.com) with the basics of what you are trying to say: What's the story? When is it? Is the event to benefit the community? Who will be there? What does it cost? Why is this news?

Let us know about your event about two weeks ahead of time to help us plan. Don't forget contact info so we can get back to you if we want more information or to do a story.

3. You can be a reporter, too! Let's say we didn't make it to your event. You can still send us enough info that we can post it on the site.

Here's what to do. Send Patch (Nicole.Trifone@patch.com) a recap of the event (Think about what makes this "news" - did Oakton beat Madison for the third straight time? Did the third-graders participate in a stream cleanup?) Remember the 5 Ws of reporting: who, what, where, when and why.

Time is of the essence here. Try to send us something within 24 hours to keep things timely.

Don't worry if you are not a pro writer. We are, that's why we will likely tweak your submission to match Patch and Associated Press style.

Sorry, we can't pay you for your contribution. But we appreciate it, and we're sure the community will, too.

4. Think visually. Sending us something? Snap a couple of photos too and attach them to your email in .jpg format. We will give you a photo credit.

The best photos are clear and have action. Posed group photos usually don't reproduce well; candids of group doing something (walking dogs, accepting awards, dancing, etc.) are far more interesting.

5. A few words about news judgment. If we don't see you there or you don't see your submission on the site, it is not because we don't like you. Seriously, we just have to use news judgment. We can't print every publicity piece. We have to make the call on what is going to have the most widespread appeal or whether something is Oakton-centric enough. Please don't take it personally.