We get a lot of emails and comments from readers saying "I like what you're doing here at Facing South -- what can I do to get more involved?"

We have some exciting plans underway to make your favorite Southern website more social media-like. In the meantime, here are 6 easy ways you can get in on the action:

1 - SEND US A NEWS TIP: We depend on you, our readers, to keep us in tune with what's happening across the South. Have a juicy tip to share? Find a news story we shouldn't miss? Tip us off here.

2 - JOIN THE TEAM: Want to write for Facing South? Send us your idea or a full-blown post if you like. We can't pay, but you will be part of a website the Washington Post calls "fantastic" and reaches over 50,000 60,000 unique readers a month!

3 - GET THE FREE NEWSLETTER: Our weekly email newsletter is a handy digest of our top stories -- it also includes original content like the popular "Institute Index: The South in Numbers." And it's free! Sign up in the box in the upper right-hand corner.

4 - MAKE A DONATION: We're feeling the financial pinch like everyone else -- but with your help, we can keep delivering our unique high-quality, in-depth reporting. We need to raise $20,000 this month to keep Facing South going and growing -- will you help us out with a donation today?

5 - FOLLOW US ON TWITTER: Yep y'all, we're tweeting. You can follow us at http://twitter.com/facingsouth

6 - JOIN US ON FACEBOOK: Join our new Facebook group page here!