America’s Neighborhood Contributor Guidelines – Outline
1. 💡 Purpose & Mission
- Empower everyday citizens to tell stories that matter
- Promote local identity, historical richness, and community spirit
- Celebrate diverse voices through ethical, inclusive journalism
2. 🧑💻 Who Can Contribute
- Residents, business owners, students, historians, local advocates
- Contributors passionate about their neighborhood’s character and charm
- No formal journalism experience required—just heart and honesty
3. 📰 What You Can Submit
- Community news and updates
- Local hero stories and neighborhood profiles
- Event coverage and cultural highlights
- Business spotlights and local services
- Newsletter-ready features and recurring columns
4. ✍️ Submission Standards
- Original, fact-checked content with a clear local focus
- Positive tone encouraged—critical pieces welcome with respect and clarity
- Word count guidelines by type (e.g., 300–800 words for stories, 150–300 for spotlights)
- High-quality images preferred (with captions and permissions)
5. 📸 Ethical & Legal Requirements
- Respect privacy and obtain photo release permissions
- Avoid plagiarism, misinformation, or defamation
- Disclose affiliations or sponsorships if applicable
- Review and accept the [Contributor Agreement] and [Photography Release Form]
6. 📣 Editorial Process
- Review by community editors or platform moderators
- Edits may be suggested to improve clarity, tone, or factual accuracy
- Contributors may be contacted for follow-up or additional materials
- Publishing timeline varies by submission type and editorial queue
7. 🏆 Featured Contributor Opportunities
- Spotlighted on newsletters and homepage features
- Invitations to regional storytelling workshops or digital roundtables
- Opportunities for recurring contributor status
8. ✅ How to Submit
Receive confirmation and timeline for review
Complete the [Contributor Submission Form]
Agree to the Contributor Guidelines