13 Ways to Get the Most Out of St. Charles Patch

St. Charles is about to celebrate its first anniversary. Since launching on Sept. 1 last year, the site has continually attracted new readers and added new features.

You already know you can come here for comprehensive news about our town—but Patch is more than that. Our mission is to be your indispensable, online go-to place for St. Charles.

To accomplish that, I need your involvement. I want you to think of St. Charles Patch as your personal online local service, not only to get local information, but to provide it, too.

There are many ways you can interact with Patch: You could be a blogger; receive our breaking news alerts; communicate with us via our free smartphone apps and much more.

Here are 13 things every Patch user can do:

1. Get a Daily Digest of News and Information

I understand you’re busy. You may not have time to click on Patch several times a day. Get your daily news in a digest form with our emailed newsletters. Sent out first thing every morning, the newsletter gives you the morning news, weather, , community events and more.

To sign up, log in to your Patch account (log in at the top right of the page); click on your name at the top right of the page; click on “Notification Settings” on the left side of your profile page; check the options you want; and click save.

2. Find and Share Local Events

When is that important zoning board meeting coming up? How about a wine tasting, a charity event or concert? You’ll find it all on our Events page. Search by category or by day for what you’re interested in. Share your own events with your neighbors. Don’t be shy! On the Events page, click on “add an event,” fill out the required fields and presto: Instant connection with your neighbors!

3. Let Us Know What You Think, Part 1

There is no shortage of serious issues in our town, and fans of St. Charles Patch are not shy about sharing their opinions. That much is clear from the lively back-and-forth in the comments sections. Log on to share your views on any article we publish. Just remember to abide by our Terms of Use. Be civil in your tone and your treatment of other commenters and responsible in your language. Want to take it a step further? Consider . If you have something to say about town issues, or expertise in subjects we all care about, we’re the place to blog. Start by emailing me (Nick Swedberg, in case you forgot :-) at nicks@patch.com.

4. Let Us Know What You Think, Part 2

Remember that part about Patch readers not being shy? Sometimes a comment on a story doesn't get the job done. Share those important views and writing a letter to the editor. Send your letter by email to me at nicks@patch.com and I'll take it from there.

5. Find Out What Your Neighbors Think

You can solicit your neighbors’ opinions, or call upon their local knowledge, with the Q&A feature. Click on “Q&A” along the top banner, type in your question and wait for other readers to weigh in.

6. Share Your News

Are you getting married? Having a baby? Perhaps you want to share an obituary with the community, thank your neighbors or brag a bit about your child’s award. Do it all by creating a free post in the Announcements section. Click on Announcements under the “News” drop-down menu, click on "Announce it to everyone!" and announce away.

7. Get Your News and Information on the Go

It’s an app-happy world and we’re just living in it. Luckily, Patch goes everywhere your phone does. Check out the . The iPhone version gives access to news, photos, the business listings and more. The Android app, called Patch Places, is a full list of the businesses in your area. You can change your location on the apps when you’re traveling to give you the best local information from our nationwide Patch network.

8. Share, Share, Share

Do you have a news tip? Or a photo or video that would make a story better? Patch makes it easy for readers to get involved in the news process. Contact me with any news tips or story ideas. You can also upload your own photos and videos to any story by clicking on “add your photos & videos” under the main picture. Let me know what’s happening in the shot by adding a caption.

9. Find, Review and Follow Local Businesses

Does Fido need a shampoo? Do you need a ? From pet salons to human salons, restaurants, mechanics and more, the Places page has St. Charles businesses galore. Don’t forget to rate your experience after you visit a local merchant. Plus, you can follow your favorite businesses in town, and you’ll be notified every time they’re mentioned in a Patch story, whether that means a profile of the establishment or special deals we find.

10. Claim Your Business Listing

This one is just for the business owners and managers out there. I've work to list every St. Charles business in the directory. You can claim your listing and add more photos, update details and so on. Just fill out the “Claim It” form on your business’ listing.

11. Advertise With Us—You, too, Nonprofits!

While I'm on a business kick, I'd be remiss not to mention advertising opportunities on Patch. This goes for local businesses of course, but candidates for political office, theaters and other groups also may want to consider advertising on Patch. Patch also offers free ads to qualifying nonprofits. We can also help you economically set up a website if you don't have one now, or help you produce a video that you can use anywhere with customers and clients. Contact Jackie Lobdell at jacquelyn.lobdell@patch.com for all advertising information.

12. Volunteer

Did you know the idea for Patch first sprang from one of our founders’ difficulties in finding local volunteer opportunities? Volunteerism— participating in it and supporting it—is vital to Patch’s business values. Our sites feature local volunteers who give back to their community, plus we give back as well—each Patch employee volunteers a minimum five days per year in our local communities. You can find volunteer opportunities or post volunteer needed announcements under the Volunteer section on the top banner.

13. Stay connected with Patch

The site's Facebook and Twitter pages have the latest St. Charles news. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to stay in the know.

There you have it, 13 ways to maximize your experience with Patch. Any questions? Always feel free to contact me—nicks@patch.com or call 630-666-8863.