Tell It Like It Is — Blog On Patch!

One of the big goals of Hampton-North Hampton Patch has been to craft a place where members of the community are able to share information and start stirring the pulse of Hampton and North Hampton, much like an online community center brimming with engaging conversations.

Our Local Voices section is a perfect example of how reader dialogues, commentaries and opinions can make a better online news source, so we want you to get involved, too!

How easy is it?

At Patch, we're devoted to finding ways to make your life as ridiculously easy as possible, so we've changed the way blogging works to make it easier for you to start blogging right away.

All you have to do to get started is visit our blogging page and click "Post on Patch." From there, let your typing fingers run rampant (respectfully and coherently, of course) and when you're done writing and have saved your work, hit submit!

Why should I blog?

Patch is more than a news site. It is a free place to post upcoming events. It's an online conversation about the community. But to keep the conversation going, we need your voice!

You may be asking yourself, "What would I even write about?"

Well, the answer is, anything! A blog offers the opportunity to share your thoughts, concerns, advice, and tips, get your name out to the community, get info about your local group out to the community, and so much more.

My neighbors are blogging? What are they saying?

• , an avid photographer, surfer and the commander of American Legion Post 35, provides deep and fluid people-focused commentary and gorgeous surf photos every Monday morning as a part his highly respected Ralph's Pic of the Week blog.
• writes about upcoming events and activities, and is a great read for stories about the faces and feelings behind what they do in the community.
• , a Democrat from Hampton, weighs in on political topics du jour in a blog series that typically generates a lot of conversation between our die-hard political junkies.
• Seacoast realtor helps you stay connected with some of the nonprofit movers and shakers that help make this corner of New Hampshire a great place to live through various events, programs and charities.
• , a North Hampton resident, combines her quick wit and remarkable photography skills into entertaining looks into life on the Seacoast. Kane is also a frequent contributor to our Photo of the Day series.
  
• waxes deep and poetic on life itself and on how personal enrichment and reflection can help ease or solve many of the world's mysteries and problems.
• is one of several gubernatorial candidates who blog on Patch, and she like many of our other bloggers use Local Voices to post short and timely commentary on local and national issues and happenings.

Other bloggers on Hampton-North Hampton Patch include former trustee , the , Hampton resident , of Green Alliance, "We the People" founder , politician , the , and many more!

Is blogging on Patch right for me?

Blogging on Patch is perfect for anyone who has ties to the community. More specifically, you may be perfect for blogging if you can answer yes to any of the following questions:

• Do you have a passion for everything local, from supporting downtown businesses to promoting community events?
• Do you already write a blog or post commentary on your own website or social networking page?
• Are you passionate about issues in Hampton and North Hampton?
• Are you a craftsman, artist, musician, business owner or hobbyist who can share do-it-yourself tips?
• Do you have strong opinions about local government or are the first one to stand up for what you think is right in our school system?
• Can you just make us all laugh?

Even if you answered "no" to any of the above questions and you just want a platform to have your voice heard, Hampton-North Hampton Patch's Local Voices platform is the place for you to share your views with a broad readership!

Ready to take the leap? Get started with blogging on Patch! Still want more information? E-mail Kyle.Stucker@Patch.com!

Note: You write what you want to say, when you want to say it, and how you want to say it. We don't censor or edit your posts unless there are libelous or profane statements. Blog on your schedule, whether that's posting multiple entries per day or a couple times a month. And Patch won't own what you post, so you can repost your entries to your other blogs!