Hyperlocal: Used to refer to news on the community-level with highlights from events usually overlooked by mainstream media.
The presses have been hot as of late, churning out info on hyperlocal sites. Most notably, coverage surrounding Rob Curley’s latest flop, LoudounExtra.com (LE); a venture launched from the Washington Post (WP).
The Wall Street Journal may have covered the Loudoun story, but rest assured there are plenty of local media interests across the country running with similar coverage.
Take for instance Katie Granju’s piece about a Knoxville case study for hyperlocal coverage. Granju claims that Randy Neal’s KnoxViews.com sets the standard for community-driven fodder.
LoudounExtra.com and KnoxViews.com are not hyperlocal sites like the above media outlets have painted them to be. Here’s why:
- Hyperlocal sites should be for the people by the people. LoudounExtra.com was planted and grown from within the Washington Post. Thus, LE was inherently grafted into the WP corporate skin. Not to mention, LE was the brainchild of an “internet punk” who doesn’t allow comments on his own blog. Need I say more?
- Hyperlocal sites should not be politically centered. KnoxViews is 99% politics. So, where is the actual community news? Mr. Neal does a good job covering the Democratic landscape – both locally and nationally – but there is little focus on local events, announcements, etc. KnoxViews is not hyperlocal.
So, what is hyperlocal?
- Hyperlocal is community. When a shooting broke out in West Seattle, the community rallied around WestSeattleBlog.com, adding comments and questions on what was shaking the local neighborhoods. It was community in the purest form found on the internet.
- Hyperlocal is friendly. News, events, announcements and more should come from well-known, trusted friends in the community. For those living in Knoxville, examples would include CK and company and Trotta.
What’s your take on hyperlocal?
10:00 am on June 9th, 2008
I would agree with your take entirely.
And I would also agree that while R.Neal has built a great set of local political sites, there’s far more to a community than politics. He definitely has a hyperlocal view on that topic but not much else.
In fact, I think that’s why he hasn’t ever added me to his links, because I talk about lots of random stuff and I don’t limit my topic choices to only politics. And that’s okay, his site, his links. Yeah, sure, I can write a kick-butt snarky, snippy politics post, and I do occasionally. But I do more than that. Likewise, I don’t just blog about “the Couch”. I could. I like it here. I know a ton of crap about this area since I was born here after all. But I don’t want to. I think there are lots of people covering that topic well already. So occasionally I throw one in, but it’s just another topic in my repertoire. I think it’s an achievement that I can blog badly about almost anything. I’m proud of that achievement and my stats show that there’s quite a few people who enjoy my lack of expertise and randomness. I would direct anyone to look at our local Twitter community as an example of hyperlocal blogging, on a micro scale. That’s what hyperlocal means to me. A local community that steps in and helps out. Isn’t that what it’s all about?
10:00 am on June 9th, 2008
Finally, thank you!
11:00 am on June 9th, 2008
Who says hyperlocal can’t have a niche focus: politics? Or sports? Or whatever.
I don’t think there are any rules here. The key is to find what works -as Randy has.
11:03 am on June 9th, 2008
Also, KnoxViews has on several occasions led the way in grassroots reporting of non-political stories. An example would be the day the Feds raided Scott West’s properties on Market Square. KnoxViews broke that story, and users added content via photos from the scene and eyewitness accounts.
Also, RoaneViews and BlountViews are often filled with community news that isn’t political: puppies who need homes and local school awards and accomplishments.
11:44 am on June 9th, 2008
@Katie - Who says? I did! Muhaha.
Hyperlocal can be niche but let’s face it, KnoxViews has a lot of national political coverage. A true hyperlocal site should focus solely on community news. We can find national news elsewhere.
That’s great that they broke the Scott West story but again, you’re missing my point. If your content isn’t completely community-centered then you’re not hyperlocal. The Scott West story fell in a dark hole amongst the barrage of political coverage, both local and national.
10:12 pm on June 9th, 2008
Well put, Casey - and I’m not just saying that because you think my blog is friendly
And here’s my 2 cents - when it comes to hyperlocal sites, why not unite the community instead of divide it (as will inevitably happen when political opinions are involved)? Neutrality has its virtues, especially in this arena.