DISQUS

ericflo · 11 months ago

What do you think about everyblock.com? They seem to have really done it right.

pkitano · 11 months ago

Many real estate blogs are positioned to report hyperlocal news in order to become an online neighbor resource, and give them a brand marketing advantage over their competition. Hyperlocal sites will understand that embracing the real estate community, many of whom already participate in the social media for marketing purposes, will help build and maintain a local presence.

Barton H. · 11 months ago

I've been a fan of PegasusNews.com for a while. They've done a terrific job handling all things "hyperlocal" for the Dallas area. Much better than the local "big media" sites.

markjosephson · 11 months ago

We see a few trends that can make 2009 the year of hyperlocal (or nano, micro, whatever...).

* An explosion of content being created at the hyperlocal level -- blogs, twitter, tumblr, new platforms like neighborlogs, etc...

* increased consumer demand for specific and targeted content -- they can get almost everywhere else (health, finance, etc...)...it's coming for local

* mobile and "location aware" devices and applications will make it very easy to know where you are and then applications (like outside.in) will help populate what's going on around you.

* the rapid decline of the print businesses will force local advertisers to look for other alternatives and channels. online will certainly benefit from that.

Ana Abraham · 11 months ago

Mini Cities - http://Mini-Cities.com has done a great job offering directories for hyperlocal areas in Tampa and Atlanta. They offer coupons, events and reviews for hyperlocal businesses.

kpaul · 11 months ago

I've been running a few for almost four years now. One has REALLY taken off

http://www.andersonfreepress.net

We have a very active community of posters. Since the newspaper closed their public forums on new years eve, I've seen yet another wave of disgruntled citizens coming to my site.

2009 IS the year...

K. Paul Mallasch - Publisher
http://www.kpaulmedia.com

kpaul · 11 months ago

Oh yeah, I've done 4 print tabloid issues as well - direct mailed to around 80,000 people. I'm deciding whether or not to continue with that, though. With no start-up money, it's been hard doing everything on my own. I really, really need a good salesperson...
-kpaul

digidave · 11 months ago

My hope is that Spot.Us - or other community funded platforms will help hyper local websites cover there area just as well (if not better) that traditional community newspapers.

Micah · 11 months ago

Although we are not a local journalism or news site, we are attempting to enter into the hyperlocal scene with our site http://www.townsync.com. TownSync will allow for social connecting as well as promoting and managing a local calendar. We hope to help local newspapers with a franchising program as well. It seems that newspapers will just have to find a new way to become the voice for their town again. Bloggers have begun to take over this area, but if newspapers are able to catch on early enough (tick, tick, tick) then they might just be able to hold onto some of their audience.

Proxiti · 11 months ago

You wrote a very good article.
It seems you have a very good vision of hyperlocal news future.

My advice is also that localnewspapers have an heavy difficult that block them for being efficiently present on internet : they must sale their PAPER. So they can't do their jobs on internet for Free.

a interesting link : http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2009/01....
His conclusion is a must : "Own your Zip code. The next frontier is local, and this is a great way to start."

I also just discover the project of micah : http://www.townsync.com. : it seems to be a very very good project.

mastertechmark · 11 months ago

Ouch I have a website so on one hand this is good news. On the other hand I love the paper. The look feel and smell!

James · 10 months ago

Check Out http://www.localsguide.com
This is the ultimate model of Web2Press
Using a social engine to create media. Then putting the best out in the community in print.

We get it every month here in the Ashland, Oregon. Direct USPS and it sure beats the mainstream media choices. If I want NEWs I just go online. If I want more indepth.

I want tangibles.

Julie Knowles · 10 months ago

/You may be suprised to hear the actual data on this but most people, live, work, shop, and entertain within 7 mines of their homes.

J Hartmann · 9 months ago

I am looking for good models of hyperlocal online news or newsletters. Can you suggest some?

Nick · 8 months ago

Try Konnects.com

Nick · 8 months ago

Have you seen Konnects.com? They offer online communities for local newspapers. Seems to be a great business model for newspapers to adapt!