Joliet Patch—Put It to Work for You

One of the best things about Joliet Patch is how easy it is for readers to use.

Are you holding a garage sale? Want everyone to see your new grandchild or your daughter's wedding photos? Have you lost your dog and want help finding him? Maybe you'd like to stretch your writing skills and start a blog? No problem!

With Patch, there's no need to send a press release or ask permission. Just post it yourself! It's easy, and most items can be added to our site in a matter of minutes.

Oh, and did we mention it's all free?

Here are directions for some of the post popular ways to use Patch.

EVENTS

Post an upcoming event on our calendar. Feel free to add it as far in advance as you'd like.

1. Log in to joliet.patch.com. Create a new account if you don't have one, or access the page through Facebook.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Follow the same steps as listed above, but under "Contribute," choose the "Announce something to everyone" option.

You'll find a category for just about any type of announcement you might want to make, including school awards, graduations, honor rolls, weddings, births, death notices, thank you, promotions, accomplishments, volunteers needed, and lost and found.

Want more direction? Click on the video tutorial that accompanies this article, which will walk you through the process.

PHOTOS and VIDEOS

We love seeing the faces of our readers in photos and videos from local events, and it's a great way to document an event for everyone to see.

Here’s how it works

1. Log in.
2. Click on "Pics & Clips," which you'll find in the menu bar at the top of our home page. 
   
3. Once you're in, there may be photos and videos already posted there. No worries; just click the “Upload Photos & Videos” button to add your own.
4. Select the items you’d like to add from your computer.
5. It’ll a take a few seconds to process your image (longer for video).
6. Add a caption, if you like.
7. When you're done, scroll to the bottom to find your photos or videos. If they appear the way you want them to, click on "Update and return to article."

GARAGE SALES

This is one category that is exceptionally popular on Patch. Here's how to post yours:

1. Log in.

If you're looking to visit a few garage sales around town, click on "Events" and then "Garage Sales" and you'll be on your way in no time.

BLOGGING

Anyone can blog, and a blog is anything you'd like it to be. You own what you write, and we don't touch it other than to make sure spelling and grammar is correct.

Write as much or as little as you like; it's up to you. 

Here's how you get started.

1. On our home page, below the top stories of the day, you will see a box that includes the option "Start a blog." Click on that.
2. When the page opens, click on "Post an item." This will open the form you'll use to write your entry. Feel free to add photos or video, if you like.
3. When you're ready to file, click on "Save and Preview" and you're done. We'll take care of the rest.

The only restriction is that blogs are limited to those 14 and older. Anyone between the ages of 14 and 17 must have their parents' permission.

NEWSLETTERS

Joliet Patch publishes a daily newsletter featuring the headlines of the day, which you can have emailed to you every morning. Just click here and give us your email, and start receiving it tomorrow!

ADVERTISING

We sell ads for every budget size. If you'd like to know more, contact our ad manager Wayne Parratore at wayne.parratore@patch.com or 815-274-8875.