HUD's Web Publication Procedures and Style Guide

Appendix F: Good Stories

What are good stories?

• Good things that are happening with HUD funds/programs/initiatives
• Good things that are happening in communities, even if they aren't using HUD funds

Who can submit good stories?

• Anyone - including HUD staff, HUD partners, and citizens
• Prospective "good stories" should be submitted to the appropriate Web Manager

How are "good stories" processed?

• Program office vets the story to make sure the facts are correct
• Public affairs officers review the stories (may want to submit it for a "focus" message, as well as posting as a good story)
• Web Manager coordinates the process and posts the good story
• Web Manager notifies Joanne Johnson, on the Departmental Web Team, so the good story link can be added to our "good story" database. If the good story comes from the Field, notify the appropriate HQ Web Manager about the good story, providing the link

What kinds of information should be collected for each good story?

• Name of "good story" (e.g., St. Margaret's House)
• Location (city, state)
• HUD program(s) involved (e.g., CDBG)
• Amount of HUD funding associated, if available
• Names of any other funding sources (e.g., state/local government funds, foundation, private sector)
• 1-sentence summary (to use as the teaser)
• Description of good story (remember to cover who, what, where, when, why, and how) - no more than 1 page
• Major result (in other words, how does America benefit?)
• Key players in the story (names and phone numbers, if possible)
• Key players at HUD (the person at HUD who knows most about this story)
• If you have one or two pictures associated with the Good Story, attach them in digital format (jpg preferred)

Collecting good stories

• Good stories on state pages should "live" on the state library page.