12 Ways to Make Use of Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch in 2012

With the new year officially begun, it's time to look at what 2012 has in store.

This year, you'll see and hear even more from us as we work to make Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch even more engaging and interactive for users.

While a few things about our site changed in 2011, you still have opportunities to comment on stories, share opinions, post photos and announcements and add events to the community calendar. We love having you visit, and we hope you'll also take time to be an active part of our community. 

There are plenty of ways for you to get involved with Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch:

1. Comment on an Article, or Review a Business

Providing accurate, timely news about the community is our No. 1 priority, and we believe news is a conversation. Much of what we report comes from what readers tell us in emails, comments on our sites and in conversations around town. Share your thoughts and reactions by posting a comment directly below each story. Don't be shy about sharing your thoughts – we want to hear them! Love a restaurant? Hate a local retailer's service? You can review businesses listed in our directory, too. 

2. Start a blog

Build a blog section and they will come. Talking fashion, law, cooking, politics and even motherhood, bloggers in our Local Voices section offer experience, opinion and expertise on a variety of topics. But there's always room for more in this conversation. Once you get started as a Patch blogger, you can post as little or as much as you want and you get the benefit of our editing for style and grammar. If you're interested, please email Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch editor Joni Hubred-Golden, joni.hubred-golden@patch.com.

3. Send a News Tip

At the bottom of the homepage, under "Contribute," there's a link that says, "Send us news tips." Tell us about stories we should cover. Your tip will be sent straight to Joni Hubred-Golden, Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch's editor.

4. Post an Event

Do you know of a playoff game at the local park, a school play or a Mom2Mom Sale in the neighborhood? Is there an open house or graduation ceremony coming up? If it's not on our Patch calendar, it should be.

5. Post an Announcement

Post births, engagements and wedding announcements. Tell us who made the honor roll or share school awards, social notes and thank you shout outs. If you're looking for volunteers or searching for your lost dog, we welcome you to call on your community for help. Just remember, our Terms of Use say announcements should be for personal use and not for advertising. 

6. Sign Up for Newsletters

Readers tell us they love having the latest news brought daily to their email inboxes every morning. The Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch newsletter brings you the five latest articles, the most recent announcements and opinions posted in the last 24 hours and a list of that day's events. You can also sign up for a weekly newsletter and breaking news alerts. 

7. Claim Your Directory Listing

Our team of researchers scoured the streets to make sure our local directory was complete before our site launched in November 2010. Every week since, we've worked to make sure it remains up-to-date. To contact us about the listing for your business or organization, email us at directorysupport@patch.com. If you own or manage a business or organization in our directory, claim it at http://farmington-mi.patch.com/listings. 

8. Shout It Out!

Got a question, a story tip or something to say that doesn't fit in the comments section? Head to the right side of our home page and look for the words "What Do You Have To Say?". Type your comment directly into the box, and it will show up on the page. 

9. Upload Your Photos and Video

We've now got a spot for the photos and videos you take in your travels around town – or right in your own backyard. Whether you want to share a lovely photo of  or video of your kids on the Shiawassee sledding hill, you can upload them directly to our  

10. Advertise With Us

For all advertising inquiries, please email our local associate Catherine Grace, catherine.grace@patch.com.

11. Facebook, Twitter and Apps

Are you social media savvy? Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter, where we post breaking news, traffic alerts and ask for your input on stories we're following. It's a great way to get in on a community conversation – and get to know your neighbors. Our  allow you to take Patch with you wherever you go.

12. Send a Letter to the Editor

Express your thoughts or concerns on any topic by sending an email to Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch editor Joni Hubred-Golden, joni.hubred-golden@patch.com. Remember to include your home address and a phone number, for our records. (They won't be published or used for anything other than verification.)

Have you found a great use for Patch this year? Is there a feature you find particularly useful? Tell us in the comments.