Some tips and a big question

First we want to thank everyone contributing to Philly Future. This site is yours and together we hope we're providing a service to the community.

rzklkng's terrific advice on growing our netroots has motivated me to take the opportunity to offer some tips on getting a post promoted to the home page. Now I'm doing this hesitantly since these are not guidelines, they are not rules, and there are plenty of exceptions. Consider that the home page has limited screen real estate and what the editors are trying to do is share as much as they can which is relevant at any one time. Also consider that if you feel it's not important for a particular post to make it to the home page, then none of what I am about to say really applies. So here goes:

1. Try and keep headlines short. Long headlines can summarize your story, but that's what the first paragraph is for.

2. If you have a number of related posts in one day, if you can, try to summarize the big picture as one story. Of course this is impossible with fast changing news.

3. Cursing is OK. Really. But not in a headline, and not simply to shock. Think about it. And if you catch us playing it too safe - let us know.

4. We tend to promote news stories (the who/what/when/where/why/how) more often then editorial pieces - but we want both here at Philly Future. Otherwise the site will degrade into a lifeless set of facts. We are the city - and personally - I hope when folks visit Philly Future then can get a feel for the real Philadelphia. The real deal. The passion, the anger, the love - all of it. That means if you have an informational post - a review of a landmark - or a tip to navigate the Conshohocken curve - a great Philly related website to share - an upcoming event - a cause you feel needs to be shared - just some examples - it will definitely get looked at.

5. Most important: try and be inclusive - link out to other sites - and especially other bloggers - to expand the conversation. This site is for growing our web - not capturing it. So whenever possible, link out.

Now let me also take the opportunity to ask a big question - how are we doing?

Honestly.

What do you like at Philly Future? What don't you like? What would you like to see (event listings? forums? lists?)? What do you think is just stupid? Any new topics we should add? Let us know and together we can make it happen.