Title: Bit of a head-scratcher here.<p>I run a social news site for Chicago over at WindyCitizen.com.  Since a massive redesign back in January, I've seen its traffic, activity, and influence grow steadily.<p>Problem: I've been really successful so far in working WITH the local media.  But completely unsuccessful in getting any coverage FROM the local media that I could show to advertisers to let them know we're legit.  I knew it would be tough to launch something aimed at a market without a "Techcrunch" to speak to early adopters, but this is getting ridiculous.<p>Here's what I mean:<p>1. I've hammered out partnerships to have our submission/voting buttons on the local alt. weekly site and all major local blogs. This was a nontrivial feat.<p>2. The local CBS affiliate has added our top stories widget to its site.  Also nontrivial.<p>3. Journalists from every local publication have glommed on to us and are posting their stories to the Citizen on a daily basis.  Of our 2000 members, I estimate we have at least 50 Chicago journalists among them, including editors and deputy editors who are posting stories and leaving comments on our site on a regular basis.<p>4. Last month we had over 4000 stories and events posted and reached about 80,000 people.<p>So these journalists are all using the Citizen and these publications all want our traffic (because it's local), but no one's ever run a "hey, check out this cool site!" story on us.<p>I'm beginning to think the statute of limitations for that happening is running out.<p>I've also had zero luck getting coverage from tech blogs.  I've assumed that's because the site's aimed at Chicago.<p>I think part of my problem is that I have a background in journalism.  The idea of aggressively wining and dining reporters at local papers, courting them and calling them up all the time to tell them what's new is pretty gross to me.  I e-mail a good number of folks when we have news and have made friends with a lot of local media, but no dice on the coverage front.  It's very humbling.<p>Clearly, I'm doing something wrong here.  What?
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