Reader submissions are a great feature to highlight because they increase engagement, generate local content, and save newsroom time.
Reader Submissions
Community newspapers thrive on community involvement. Surf CMS makes it easy for readers to submit news, photos, events, announcements, letters, and other content directly through your website. Each submission is routed to your newsroom for review before anything is published, giving editors complete control while encouraging greater community participation.
Whether it's a youth sports photo, a local business announcement, a community event, or a breaking news tip, your readers become active contributors to your publication.
Accept Many Types of Content
Create customized submission forms for virtually any type of content, including:
- News tips
- Community announcements
- Event submissions
- Sports scores
- Birth announcements
- Engagements and weddings
- Anniversary announcements
- Obituaries
- Photos and photo galleries
- Letters to the editor
- Classified ads
- Business announcements
- Story ideas
- Calendar events
- School news
- Church news
Editorial Approval Required
Every submission enters an editorial review queue where staff can:
- Review submitted information
- Edit content before publication
- Request additional information
- Approve or reject submissions
- Schedule approved content for future publication
Nothing appears on your website until your newsroom approves it.
File Upload Support
Readers can upload:
- Photos
- PDFs
- Flyers
- Logos
- Documents
- Other supporting files
Uploaded files are attached to the submission, making them easy for staff to review.
Custom Forms for Every Newspaper
Build submission forms that collect exactly the information your staff needs.
Examples include:
- Sports results forms
- Wedding announcement forms
- Obituary submission forms
- Business directory requests
- Event calendar submissions
- News tip forms
Each form can have its own fields, instructions, file uploads, and approval workflow.
Reduce Emails and Phone Calls
Instead of receiving incomplete information through email or voicemail, readers submit everything through organized online forms.
This helps:
- Save staff time
- Reduce back-and-forth communication
- Improve submission accuracy
- Keep all information in one place
Mobile Friendly
Every submission form works perfectly on desktops, tablets, and smartphones, making it easy for readers to contribute wherever they are.
Encourage Community Participation
Reader submissions strengthen the connection between your newspaper and your community. By making it simple for readers to share news, photos, announcements, and events, your publication receives more local content while your staff maintains complete editorial control. It's an easy way to increase engagement, discover new story ideas, and make your readers feel like an active part of the newspaper.
Turn your readers into contributors. Give your community an easy way to share local news, photos, events, and announcements—all while your newsroom stays in complete control.