Whether you’re a big Media company, or an up-n-coming indie-journalist/content creator…. participating in Hyper-Local Advertising & Content Networks could be critical to your online success.
FACT #1: Small businesses are quickly moving their ad budgets to web. In addition to your own direct sales efforts, there are substantial revenue & cost reduction benefits when you take part in the efficiencies of a shared sales and service “Co-operative”, or ‘Hyper-local incubator’. (see below)
FACT #2: Your work as a writer/reporter has incredible value. Especially to big Media. Why ‘donate’ it or sell it for peanuts? Understand online journalism business models, before you act. See the 25$ per post sweat shop known as Demand Media, and how some journos are just saying NO! to offers from Patch.
HyperLocal News.Incubator UPDATED 8.3.2010
Local online competition is on the rise….and now, at a much faster pace. Don’t be fooled into thinking that hyper-local news doesn’t work. Those early journalist-lead experiments from CUNY, New York Times and ChicagoNow still struggle for financial stability due to this common flaw: revenue & sales expertise seemingly took a back seat to editorial & tech in the start-up phase. Indeed, ‘build it and they will come’ does not work so well on the web. Today, a growing list of hyper-local news efforts are being lead by those with deeper revenue & business experience. It’s about time. Well-funded projects from outsiders like Patch, Main Street Connect and Reach Local, are proof of the substantial opportunity that exists in all markets. Even though these big dogs have financial muscle, indie-journos from the neighborhood still have an excellent chance to own this space. Take a look at the strategy they are using: Hyper-Local Ad & Content Networks. (See below) Who wins the local, online revenue game? The winners will likely be organically-grown websites and independent content creators from the community. These online publishers take their efforts seriously, and are exploring realistic plans for revenue. These future, local online titans are not encumbered with legacy business concerns that need to be ‘protected’. Need some advice on how to proceed? Send us an email or let’s talk. Maybe we can help, or at least point you in the right direction. Some of our Hyper-Local services:
- Content networks
- Advertising networks
- How to work & partner with other media
- Platforms, tools, training
- Shared resources & co-operative efficiencies
- How to effectively beat PATCH, DataSphere, ReachLocal and others
- How to quickly attract local advertisers
- Syndication and licensing arrangements
- Attracting investors & partnerships
- Web 101 Workshops for Local Business
- Creating rate cards, sales packages, media kits
- Business plan development
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