Choosing a content type — My Local Press

The decision guide for what kind of content to create — story, video or podcast, event, classified, resource, coupon, public notice, obituary, alert, initiative, spotlight, poll, survey, or advertisement — what each is intended for and where to create it. Use when someone asks what content types exist, which type fits what they're making, or how to post a resource, coupon, or notice.

Pick by intent — what are you trying to do?

Telling and reporting (publisher content — yours to own)

You want to…	Type	Where
Report or tell something in writing	Story	Story form
Publish a video or an audio episode	Long-form video / podcast	Long-form form

Informing your community (the commons — always free to read)

You want to…	Type	Where
Announce a happening with a date and place	Event	Event form
Sell, rent, hire, or offer a service — including a garage/yard sale	Classified	Classified form
List a local service or organization people should know exists	Local resource	Resource form
Offer a local deal	Coupon	Coupon form
Publish an official or legal notice	Public notice	Public notice form
Run a death notice for a family	Obituary	Obituary form
Warn the community about something urgent	Alert	limited availability — ask us
Rally people around a community effort	Initiative	limited availability — ask us
Highlight a local person or business	Spotlight	limited availability — ask us

Asking your community (Premium)

You want to…	Type	Where
Put one question to a vote — results publish to everyone at close	Poll	Poll form
Ask up to ten questions and keep the answers to yourself	Survey	Survey form

Promoting to someone else's audience

That's an advertisement — content directed at a journalist's or publication's feed (full ad, minimal ad, or profile support). Different rules, because it funds journalism.

Still unsure? Drop what you have into the create canvas (limited beta) — it looks at your material and suggests the right type.