A version of this post was published on Patch in August 2011.
You might have heard about this nifty outfit called Patch. Here in Chicago, we've been building Patch since April 2010. Our first Patches went live in the summer of 2011. It's been an amazing journey so far.
The Magazine of Online Media, Marketing and Advertising, ranked Patch No. 5 on its list of “The 100 Most Important Online Publishers,” writing:
Patch joins Facebook, The New York Times, Huffington Post and Netflix in the Top 5. The Wall Street Journal came in at No. 8, Fox News at No. 9, CNN at No. 10 and the Washington Post at No. 53.
When hiring folks early last year to cover Chicago’s south suburbs, I looked for savvy journalists—experienced in probing, public service reporting—as well as sharp newcomers schooled in the latest technology and tactics. All were eager to leap into an industry churning with historic transformation and build an entirely new enterprise.
But a Patch editor needs more than smarts and skill to make a go in this business. Our editors bring a personal touch to news and conversation. They've flung themselves headlong into their communities, too, meeting people on the street, at local festivals, in schools, in coffee shops and on the local playing fields.
And we've seen readers embrace our editors, personally, just as much as they've embraced their Patch.
Over at Oak Forest Patch, Sheila Drenthe Noreikis told our editor, Lauren Traut, "I enjoy reading the posts. My favorite thing ... is you. You are so very real and so willing to get out with the people. Makes great reading. Thank you for doing that! :-)"
People feel connected to their Patch, but many also feel a bond with the editors themselves. That's a big part of what makes Patch important and successful.
Bob Levy, a Homewood Patch user, recently told us: “I believe the ‘Patch’ process I see is the BEST method of providing insight into the way people really feel and what is really important to the average person.”
In Orland Park, we've published the most far-reaching coverage of what's happening with one of the region's largest redevelopment projects, called the Main Street Triangle project.
You might have heard about this nifty outfit called Patch. Here in Chicago, we've been building Patch since April 2010. Our first Patches went live in the summer of 2011. It's been an amazing journey so far.
The Magazine of Online Media, Marketing and Advertising, ranked Patch No. 5 on its list of “The 100 Most Important Online Publishers,” writing:
“Patch now rivals much, maybe most, of local newspaper and TV coverage. It's also becoming a big factor in Aol's attempts to convince Madison Avenue to act local, even as it thinks global.”
Patch joins Facebook, The New York Times, Huffington Post and Netflix in the Top 5. The Wall Street Journal came in at No. 8, Fox News at No. 9, CNN at No. 10 and the Washington Post at No. 53.
When hiring folks early last year to cover Chicago’s south suburbs, I looked for savvy journalists—experienced in probing, public service reporting—as well as sharp newcomers schooled in the latest technology and tactics. All were eager to leap into an industry churning with historic transformation and build an entirely new enterprise.
But a Patch editor needs more than smarts and skill to make a go in this business. Our editors bring a personal touch to news and conversation. They've flung themselves headlong into their communities, too, meeting people on the street, at local festivals, in schools, in coffee shops and on the local playing fields.
And we've seen readers embrace our editors, personally, just as much as they've embraced their Patch.
Over at Oak Forest Patch, Sheila Drenthe Noreikis told our editor, Lauren Traut, "I enjoy reading the posts. My favorite thing ... is you. You are so very real and so willing to get out with the people. Makes great reading. Thank you for doing that! :-)"
People feel connected to their Patch, but many also feel a bond with the editors themselves. That's a big part of what makes Patch important and successful.
Bob Levy, a Homewood Patch user, recently told us: “I believe the ‘Patch’ process I see is the BEST method of providing insight into the way people really feel and what is really important to the average person.”
In Orland Park, we've published the most far-reaching coverage of what's happening with one of the region's largest redevelopment projects, called the Main Street Triangle project.
In Oak Lawn, you'll catch in-depth coverage of village politics and on-the-spot breaking news, like the devastating Eva's Bridals fire. You'll also connect with the past—just listen to the Voice of a Tornado from 1967 — and you'll soon discover the Patch site is gathering spot for folks who want to talk.
In Oak Forest, you may have been touched by the Juliana Ramos story.
In Frankfort, we covered the end of the wide-ranging Gas City empire and debate over its demise.
And in Palos, the story of bank robbers dressed as nuns captured national attention, as did the grisly murder of a mom and dad and the arrest of their son.
Last year, just a few months after their debut, two of our Patch sites — Oak Lawn and Lemont — produced stories that earned their editors spots as finalists for the Chicago Headline Club Peter Lisagor Award.
Our mix of news, conversation and information — and our highly involved audience — are helping Patch sites become true community gathering spots.
In the last few months, the Chicago Southland's Patch sites celebrated their one-year "Patchiversaries."
In the last year, I've been blown away by the number of people flocking to our sites to chew over key civic issues in robust debate. These folks are incredibly passionate about their communities. I feel blessed and privileged so many folks have taken to their local Patches with such enthusiasm.
Last year, just a few months after their debut, two of our Patch sites — Oak Lawn and Lemont — produced stories that earned their editors spots as finalists for the Chicago Headline Club Peter Lisagor Award.
Our mix of news, conversation and information — and our highly involved audience — are helping Patch sites become true community gathering spots.
In the last few months, the Chicago Southland's Patch sites celebrated their one-year "Patchiversaries."
In the last year, I've been blown away by the number of people flocking to our sites to chew over key civic issues in robust debate. These folks are incredibly passionate about their communities. I feel blessed and privileged so many folks have taken to their local Patches with such enthusiasm.
Want to see for yourself? Check out Patch in the south suburbs:
- Orland Park Patch, edited by Ben Feldheim
- Oak Lawn Patch, edited by Lorraine Swanson
- Tinley Park Patch, edited by Carrie Frillman
- Palos Patch, edited by Dan Lambert
- Oak Forest Patch, edited by Lauren Traut
- Evergreen Park Patch, edited by Renita Young
- Homewood-Flossmoor Patch, edited by Ryan Fitzpatrick
- Mokena Patch, edited by Paul Dailing
- Frankfort Patch, edited by Joe Vince
- New Lenox Patch, edited by Michael Sewall
- Chicago Heights Patch, edited by Christopher Paicely
- Lemont Patch, edited by Amanda Luevano