Week 1 Blog Post (Introductions)
Welcome to this the first of many blogs following my journey as I learn about and try to contribute to a Hyperlocal News Source. This source is being created and maintained by the Mass Media and Journalism Department of Texas A&M University Commerce (That includes me ). So, with introductions out of they way lets dive right in.
The site I have signed up to monitor and really base my research on is called The Saline Post which covers news stories originating and concerning Saline, Michigan. This site may seem a bit busy at first glance but with a bit more investigation into the workings and links on the home page, one recognizes the sites true face.
The Saline Post's main utilization that I could tell right off the bat is crowdsourcing for events and classified ads. While researching information via news team is effective, one of the most inclusive and positive ways for Word-of-Mouth (WoM) marketing to be spread is by simply allowing the public to contribute to your site.
Now I know what you, my dear reader, may be thinking 'Okay, Hyperlocal sites are cool but I have a question... how to they make enough money to stay afloat?' I have the answer for you... or more accurately an article written by Natalie Stroud (Covering Monica Chandla's research on Hyperlocal News Sites) has the answer for you. "Banner ads are a mainstay of hyperlocal revenue, followed by grants." Through selling spaces on their website to mostly local businesses, The Saline Post manages to stay afloat and pay its staff. Along with generous gifts from the community The Saline Post flourishes and progresses.
Now these ideas and examples from The Saline Post are a wonderful springboard for the Hyperlocal Site that the Mass Media Journalism Department is discussing.
The site I have signed up to monitor and really base my research on is called The Saline Post which covers news stories originating and concerning Saline, Michigan. This site may seem a bit busy at first glance but with a bit more investigation into the workings and links on the home page, one recognizes the sites true face.
The Saline Post's main utilization that I could tell right off the bat is crowdsourcing for events and classified ads. While researching information via news team is effective, one of the most inclusive and positive ways for Word-of-Mouth (WoM) marketing to be spread is by simply allowing the public to contribute to your site.
Now I know what you, my dear reader, may be thinking 'Okay, Hyperlocal sites are cool but I have a question... how to they make enough money to stay afloat?' I have the answer for you... or more accurately an article written by Natalie Stroud (Covering Monica Chandla's research on Hyperlocal News Sites) has the answer for you. "Banner ads are a mainstay of hyperlocal revenue, followed by grants." Through selling spaces on their website to mostly local businesses, The Saline Post manages to stay afloat and pay its staff. Along with generous gifts from the community The Saline Post flourishes and progresses.
Now these ideas and examples from The Saline Post are a wonderful springboard for the Hyperlocal Site that the Mass Media Journalism Department is discussing.
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