Archive for Examples of hyperlocal sites

New experiences that hyper local blogging can bring

February 3, 2011 2 comments

Today I am talking about the new experiences running a hyperlocal blog has brought; from organising events, dealing with the mainstream media, learning to negotiate, community involvement to running a campaign, and I will share some hints and tips that will help you get your hyperlocal blog up and running.

I have been running my hyperlocal blog, Wake Green Park, for a year now, and I was inspired to start blogging about my community after seeing Nicky Getgood’s amazing Digbeth Is Good blog.

Wake Green Park

Wake Green Park is a private estate in Moseley, Birmingham (map). It has approx 300 residents of varying ages, though there aren’t many children in the park due to the small sized flats. The estate is maintained by a private management company and we employ a full time gardener, a security guard and cleaners who maintain the communal hallways. When required we bring in other companies to help with maintenance, such as repairing potholes, fixing security cameras, tree surgeons and the like. We also have a Board Of Directors which is made up out of residents and who help make decisions about the running of the estate. 

I had been online and using social media and blogs for a few years before beginning the Wake Green Park blog, but even so, running this hyperlocal blog has been a platform for learning.

First of all I had to choose a blogging platform. I opted for Google’s Blogspot, rather than the WordPress blogging platform. Both are free, but at the time I had limited experience with WordPress and I knew that I wouldn’t require any help with blogger. Although now I have used WordPress a lot more since, I can see the benefits to that blogging platform too. 

When I first started the blog I was met with some initial resistance from the board of directors especially because I wanted to organise a picnic in the park for residents. Security and health concerns were raised, plus not everyone was comfortable with me talking about the estate in such a public way. I met with some of the directors and had a chat about the blog and why I had started it; to help bring the estate’s community together. I explained the blog was open for anyone to contribute to and have their say. This helped the directors to overcome any worries they had. As a compromise I have put a disclaimer on the blog saying the views express are mine and not those of the directors or the management company. With all of this I’ve had to brush up on my negotiating skills!

Through starting the blog I have now met the board of directors and know more about the work that they do. I have also had more contact with the management company and I am establishing a co-operative working relationship with them. I have invited the management company to use the blog as way of putting up their notices as well as the mail shots they issue. They haven’t taken me up on that offer yet, but give it time!

Although I have organised events before, they have been mainly done fully online and using social media to promote them. Also, with these events (mainly photography related) I knew I had an audience there that would be interested in them and would actually participate. I was taken a little out of that comfort zone last summer when I decided to organise a ‘Big Lunch’ in the estate. The idea behind it was it would be a good opportunity for all the residents to actually meet their neighbours, make some new friends, get the community spirit going and to have some fun. The estate can be a quiet place in as much that at times you would barely pass a neighbour in the corridor for months! 

I had to make a plan on how I was actually going to execute this, knowing that not all the residents are online. When I started the blog I did a little leaflet campaign and dropped a flyer through everyone’s letter box. For the Big Lunch I went with a poster campaign. Through reading the blog post about the lunch a resident, who I had never met before, volunteered her services which was such a help! Together we planned which blocks of flats we would cover and put a poster on the communal front doors so nobody could miss what was going on. If I saw someone on the estate I would speak to them and tell them about the picnic, this met with varying degrees of enthusiasm I must admit! And there were a few party poopers who took down some of the posters, but not for long as I was quick to replace them! 

So my picnic campaign was held online, and off line too, in a more ‘traditional’ manner. When the day of the picnic arrived I had no idea if anyone was going to come along and was very relieved when about 20 residents turned up, and brought food with them too. It was a fun summer afternoon and it served it’s purpose of a community event. Everyone said how much they enjoyed it and asked if I would organise another one this year.

Because of running the blog and the interest I take in the estate, the management called with an urgent request recently. Was I at home now? And could I do a live broadcast for BBC Midlands Today in 15 minutes time about the city councils lack of refuse collection? Yes and yes! There would not have been this opportunity if it weren’t for the blog. 

Also, I appear to have become a point of contact for some residents when they have enquiries or complaints about the park. I try and help them or at least point them in the right direction if I can’t. I get an insight into what other residents are experiencing through their contact. 

Another recent new experience that came about from running the blog is that I have actually looked at planning application for the first time. Through looking up the application online I could see that there were some proposed changes to the parking spaces on the estate. 

I’ve learnt about community involvement, or sometimes the lack of it. I know some hyperlocal blogs with a thriving participating community behind it. I also know of some that, like me, would love more people to get involved, or at least write a comment now and again! Wake Green Park is a small area compared to other hyperlocal blogs (some say it’s micro local!), and with 300 residents, many of whom are not online, and I do struggle with getting involvement from other residents. It would be great if someone actually takes up the offer of writing a blog post. There isn’t much ‘breaking news’ on the park. It’s a quiet, peaceful and safe place to live. 

People start hyperlocal blogs for many reasons. Some are proud of their area, some want to share stories and photographs, some use it as a platform to make changes, but they all do it because they want to.

Here are some things to think about if you are considering starting your first hyper local blog: 

How are you going to get your blog online? Which blogging platform would you like to use? Do you need help with this? Then get in touch with Talk About Local! We would be happy to help you. 

How will you publicise you blog? There are numerous ways to get your first visitors (that will hopefully come back and even get involved). Here are a few tips to help get you started? 

  • Word of mouth. Tell your friends and neighbours 
  • Are there any local free papers or magazines for your area? Get them to put a few words about your blog. 
  • Tell the press your news! There’s a new blog in town, it’s full of the latest news in your area, and you want people to share their views and stories! 
  • Consider a leaflet campaign. Design it yourself, or if you don’t know how, ask your friends and someone might be able to help. Target the residents in your area with your leaflets
  • List your blog on Openly Localwhich is a hyper local directory. It’s free. 
  • Make contact with other hyperlocal bloggers. Perhaps there are others in your city that you can connect with and perhaps they will link to your new blog. 

You might need some help with subjects to blog about, or want to keep up to date with what is being said about your area or local issues. Google Alerts will help you keep track of this. It’s very simple, just enter the words/names/phrases that you want Google to look out for and the latest updates on the internet will be delivered to your inbox.

Good luck, and  I hope you enjoy hyperlocal blogging. If you need any help, get in touch and we will be happy to guide you on your hyperlocal journey.

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Visiting UK online centres that are community hubs

January 28, 2011 4 comments

The other day I went to Peterborough to catch up with two UK online centres delivering the talk about local training in their areas – the Peterborough Womens’ Centre and The Deepings Centre in the small, picturesque town of Market Deeping (about a half hour’s bus ride from central Peterborough). I’ve been visiting a lot of UK online centres participating in the project recently and they never cease to amaze me. They come in many shapes and sizes – embedded in community centres, training centres, libraries, schools, one on a bus and some peripathetic trainers without a base at all.

Where the centres do take a bricks and mortar form I can always tell quite quickly when they have the potential to do something extra special with talk about local. They are the centres which are the hub of the community, where IT training can be quite a small part of what they do when it’s delivered alongside things like yoga, creative writing groups, exercise classes and counselling sessions. The type of centre like Enterprise House in Bishops Castle, where people pop in to catch up on local goings-on, do their photocopying, brush up on their IT skills and have a cup of tea whilst they print off their holiday snaps from a memory stick.

Lots going on at The Deepings Community Centre

Lots going on at The Deepings Community Centre

When I first walked into the Deepings Community Centre in December I immediately knew from the timetable behind reception that this was one such centre. Everything seems happen here – as well as being the local Citizens Advice Bureau there’s Weight Watchers, psychotherapy, zumba, art group, camera club, carpet bowls and Spanish, to name but a few. The UK online centre trainer there was particularly keen to start publishing an online local newsletter so I went along and met a group of five local people very active in the community to give them a few pointers around working with WordPress, website layout, content ideas, getting contributions and raising local awareness of the site. We tweaked Deepings and Villages Online Newsletter whilst I was there and afterwards I interviewed local resident Martin about how a community website might help the area.

Arts and crafts at the Peterborough Womens' Centre

Arts and crafts at the Peterborough Womens' Centre

I dropped by again today for a catch-up after going to the Peterborough Women’s Centre to introduce myself. Just like The Deepings, this is a centre where an awful lot happens – from arts and crafts to an in-house creche. The Peterborough Women’s Centre is a newcommer to talk about local but already have plenty of bright ideas of how they will deliver the project. They’ve already created Women who shaped Peterborough, to celebrate women past and present who have helped shape Peterborough and are planning to train a group researching the subject to contribute to the site. They are also looking to involve their Older and Bolder Ladies‘ group, local residents‘ groups, a friendship group, an Indian women’s group and the volunteers who work at the centre.

Both centres seem to be well and truly embedded in their local community and are keen to use talk about local to help their many local contacts create useful community websites for their areas and groups. They are also eager to get involved with John Popham’s proposed Peterborough social media surgery, which is part of his social media tour for the RSA taking place later this year (the Peterborough Women’s Centre has even volunteered itself as a venue), so there should be plenty of willing surgeons and patients for John at this one!

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Ten Questions: PixieSixer (AKA Annabel Clarke) of More Canals Than Venice

November 8, 2010 One comment
More Canals than Venice

More Canals Than Venice

More Canals Than Venice was created by the mysterious PixieSixer (AKA Annabel Clarke), ‘highlighting under the radar arts in Birmingham’ and drawing much-needed attention to all the great arts and culture going on in the city:

Birmingham rarely boasts its achievements and should be more proud of itself. Some Brummies are sick of the city being berated.

More Canals Than Venice celebrated its first birthday in June 2010. Since it began it has drawn in contributions from people involved in the local arts scene  as well as content created by Annabel herself.  When she is not busy being a ‘Midlands arts champion and muso’ Annabel likes to tend to her vegetable plot at More Trees Than Paris.

Annabel is the sixth hyperlocal website manager to answer Ten Questions. Also check out Paul Bradshaw’s ‘Hyperlocal Voices’ at Online Journalism ‐ a series of interviews with leading local bloggers which has recently featured our very own Will Perrin talking about Kings Cross Environments.

Save The Arts campaign poster

Save The Arts campaign poster

What made you start More Canals Than Venice?

I come from an Arts background and have been involved in marketing art and cultural events in Birmingham for a few years. I work in a very creative environment and have many creative friends. I was frustrated that wonderful underground events that I attend were not getting the recognition or the attendance they deserved. At the time local papers were being axed or centralised, and there was also a lull in events in Birmingham being promoted online. I felt it was time to do something about it!

What do you feel the key local issues are for your community and how have you used your website to address these?

At the moment the Arts are in a dire situation with looming funding cuts. There is a lot of concern about jobs, whether any projects will be funded and if some organisations will even survive. I have continued and will continue to write about the wealth of wonderful events happening in the city. In particular Eastside Projects, an artist-run space and gallery have recently commissioned artist Mark Titchner to come up with posters, flyers and a billboard as part of the Save the Arts campaign. I will support any event or organisation that campaigns for the Arts. Cut us but don’t kill us.

English Originals Weekend review on More Canals than Venice

English Originals Weekend review on More Canals Than Venice

What has been your favourite post or feature on your website and why?

Over the last year I have done a few interviews with small independent creative organisations and collectives. It has been fascinating to talk to the up-and-coming talent in Birmingham.

What do you feel has been the most challenging story on your website?

More Canals than Venice is primarily an events website. I want to promote upcoming events so don’t write reviews. However, I did give myself that challenge when asked to review Graham Coxon (a hero of mine) at the Town Hall as part of their English Originals weekend earlier this year. As Coxon was playing at the beginning of the festival I felt I could justify reviewing the gig to promote the rest of the weekend. I’m not a natural writer and I’ve heard it been said that writing about music is like dancing about architecture. It was a challenge. Incidentally, I met Graham Coxon the next day at work. I was very star-struck!

What obstacles have you faced with your website, and how have you overcome these?

Finding events that I think my audience will be interested in takes a lot of time. I don’t get press releases about everything I write about, and I don’t and often can’t feature everything I get sent. I have to dig around for the right kind of events. Blogging also takes a long time. I have had a number of posts written by contributors but have yet to find regular writers. I am always interested to hear from anyone who wishes to contribute.

What do you think it is that attracts readers to your website?

More Canals than Venice aims to promote under the radar events in the city. I hope people visit the site for something a little different. I also give my posts a personal voice. I try not to re-hash press releases as some other blogs do; but this can be difficult due to time constraints.

Local music gigs on More Canals Than Venice

Local music gigs on More Canals Than Venice

What’s the most absurd thing that has happened on your site?

I blog under the pseudonym PixieSixer. In the first few months there was a lot of speculation as to who I was which was rather amusing! I enjoyed the epithet ‘the mysterious PixieSixer’!

What changes would you like to make to your website over the next few months?

I would like to have a number of regular contributors so that I can cover the breadth of events happening in Birmingham. I am only scratching the surface!

handmade-birmingham

More Canals Than Venice highlight Handmade Birmingham

Where do you see your website in a year’s time?

There is such a strong online community in Birmingham but I sometimes feel I am preaching to the converted. Ideally I would like to have a physical publication of some kind. I have been greatly inspired by the work of Nottingham Visual Arts. They have started a free magazine about the vibrant visual art scene in the city. I want More Canals than Venice to be a platform that creatives and those interested in what’s happening in Birmingham come to first and feel they can contribute to.

What one thing would make managing your website even more rewarding than it already is?

Time! It would also be great to have more writers but also more people sending information on events.

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Ten Questions: Stuart Williams of the Bloxidge Tallygraph

October 19, 2010 2 comments
Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams

Stuart Williams created The Bloxidge Tallygraph for the Bloxwich area in Walsall, West Midlands way back in 2006 using Webs.com.  A photographer and local historian, Stuart intially evisaged The Bloxidge Tallygraph as being a local heritage and history website but in his own words, ‘It hasn’t quite worked out like that.’  The Bloxidge Tallygraph soon evolved into acomprehensive community website that gives in-depth coverage and features on local history, events, businesses, environmental issues, etc.

Stuart is the fifth hyperlocal website manager to answer Ten Questions. Also check out Paul Bradshaw’s ‘Hyperlocal Voices’ at Online Journalism ‐ a series of interviews with leading local bloggers.

THE BLOXIDGE TALLYGRAPH

The Bloxidge Tallygraph

What made you start The Bloxidge Tallygraph?

There hadn’t been a detailed book on the history of the village of Bloxwich, where I live (it’s on the northern semi-rural border of Walsall Metropolitan Borough) since 1955. There was little or nothing on the web so as a Bloxwich lad born and bred, a professional photographer, writer and local historian, I thought I’d pay back something into the community by setting up what would be mostly a local history/heritage site.

It hasn’t quite worked out like that, as since taking on the official photography and online publicity of the local carnival in 2006, it’s grown like topsy to include all kinds of community features and it’s taken a lot more work than I expected as a result. But it’s fun – it had better be!

What do you feel the key local issues are for your community and how have you used your website to address these?

Being what is now quite a small part of Walsall Metropolitan Borough, the news media (and the Council, to some extent) tar the place with the same “Walsall” brush as everywhere else in the Borough. But as everyone will tell you, Bloxwich (and indeed all the other towns and villages in the Borough) has its own distinct identity, character and need for support on local issues which can get swept aside by borough-wide concerns. See my ‘Edditorial’ Why Bloxwich isn’t Walsall for some other reasons.

Pavement Pain on Bloxwich High Street

Pavement Pain on Bloxwich High Street

So, while I have no illusions about competing with the Walsall newspapers (none of which have been published IN Walsall for decades), I feel a small duty to highlight some issues of local concern which would otherwise fall through the cracks. For example lately I have focused on the problems experienced by traders in the High Street due to extended roadworks for a Red Route. Then there’s the refurbishment of the local Bloxwich Library and its theatre; I have had more access to that than any newspaper. And the recent 40th anniversary of the end of the trolleybuses in Walsall: Bloxwich was the final destination on that network. There are lots of other little stories too.

Also, let us not forget the saga/fiasco of the “restoration” of Bloxwich’s treasured Victorian Fountain, which has, to be polite, had its ups and downs (like the flow of water)! I have followed that closely for more than 18 months, and have received info and comments at times which would be unprintable :O)

I can also cover some stories in more depth than the papers (far more depth in the case of events coverage). So I feel I complement what they do in a modest way, as time permits, and also cover local heritage and related issues which no-one else does on any regular basis.

The Bloxwich Carnival Queens

The Bloxwich Carnival Queens

What has been your favourite post or feature on your website and why?

Oh, there’s been lots! The Bloxwich Fountain saga has been particularly entertaining but for fun, last Hallowe’en, I did a special ‘Bloxwich – Believe it or not!’ feature with stories etc, and wrote one which was half fact, half fantasy, which was rather popular.  I was even able to get a kindly local artist to produce a painting to help illustrate it. The weird thing is, earlier this year an old school friend I hadn’t seen since the 70s emailed me to say he was related to one of the main characters! Anyway, it’ll soon be Hallowe’en again, so you judge – it’s called Wakes and Were-Staffies of Bloxwich Renown.

What do you feel has been the most challenging story on your website?

Covering big events like Bloxwich Carnival in detail from start to finish every year – I typically take up to 600 photos at a carnival and that can take days to edit down to a sensible selection. Before then I have to do an illustrated report for The Bloxidge Tallygraph and the Walsall Chronicle newspaper. I used to put big photo albums on the Tallygraph but the webs.com album system is too long-winded for large numbers of pictures so I’ve taken to uploading the best images onto Flickr and making them available via a link at the end of the story.  The whole thing can be very tiring, but the results are very popular, and during the carnival season hits on the Tallygraph can go up to 500+ per day!

As a result of covering big events I now get mugged for all sorts of things! I’ve even been roped in on the Carnival Committee and wrote much of the editorial text for their programme this year. I did want to contribute to the community, didn’t I? :O)

Switching On The Bloxwich Fountain

Switching On The Bloxwich Fountain

What obstacles have you faced with your website, and how have you overcome these?

Webs.com has evolved over the years (it used to be freewebs.com) and has caused real problems at times when it changed/upgraded the Sitebuilder software (the online editor, which I use). Being occupied by millions of American sites it can also slow down to a crawl at times, especially when photo uploading. The template I use - ’Newspaper’ – is one of their standard ones, which I’ve customised with ‘masthead’ graphics and text – I’d like it to be a bit wider but no luck as yet. It would be nice to have proper RSS feeds built-in instead of having to use an external feed. But the whole system is pretty sophisticated apart from that. How do I overcome problems?  Lots of patience and time – that’s how evolution works, after all!

What do you think it is that attracts readers to your website?

You’d have to ask them, really, but people seem keen on the local news and information which can often be impossible or difficult to find elsewhere. Lots also love the local history and are surprised by how much there is for a small place, and how much fun it can be. Of late I’ve had a lot of emails from ex-pats as close as Wales and as far away as Australia, some of whom have shed a tear or three over seeing their old home online, which is gratifying.

I have a Twitter account specifically for announcing updates and breaking news, and often let snippets of news like traffic, weather, etc. out that I see on the bus to work (using a Nokia E71). I have a Facebook page for The Bloxidge Tallygraph and I’m using it more now but I’m not a big fan.

A Refurbished Bloxwich Library

A Refurbished Bloxwich Library

What’s the most absurd thing that has happened on your site?

That would be the Bloxwich Fountain taking fourteen months to refurbish instead of three, and then packing up a week or two after it was re-opened by the Mayor of Walsall! Since then the pump has burnt out once and every few days the cast iron cherubs on the base seem either to explode with water or go all limp… As for all the moans I hear about it now looking like a giant green plastic birdbath – well, you’ve gotta laugh, haven’t you? We all love it really, especially as Walsall hasn’t got one :O)

What changes would you like to make to your website over the next few months?

I’d like to be able to do editing ‘on location’ for breaking news. And I have more historical articles to write! Plus I am building in a  trade directory, thanks to data supplied by Walsall Council’s regeneration assistant for Bloxwich, the excellent and very helpful Nikki Rolls. All this and I have to get a small book about Bloxwich finished – don’t ask me when!

Where do you see your website in a year’s time?

More of the same, and more and more popular, I hope. That’s if I can still afford to keep it up by then!

What one thing would make managing your website even more rewarding than it already is?

If some kind soul would sponsor The Bloxidge Tallygraph by donating an Apple iPhone 4 with a contract, that would be a big boost! I could do a lot of on location stuff with that, and even hopefully edit ‘in the field’.

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Ten Questions: Karen Strunks of Wake Green Park

October 1, 2010 3 comments
Karen Strunks

Karen Strunks

Professional photographer Karen Strunks started wakegreenpark.blogspot.com in February 2010 to bring together the residents of the small Wake Green Park estate in Moseley, Birmingham.  She has since used the website to tell stories about life on the estate, post up information and organise events that bring the community together, such as a Big Lunch on 18th July.  Karen is also the creator of 4am project, a photography project that has proved popular with community websites across the UK.  Karen will shortly be taking a little break from Wake Green Park for Big Apple Unpeeled, a self-funded, month-long photographic adventure in New York.

Karen is the fourth hyperlocal website manager to answer Ten Questions. Also check out Paul Bradshaw’s ‘Hyperlocal Voices’ at Online Journalism ‐ a series of interviews with leading local bloggers.

What made you start Wake Green Park?

I began the Wake Green Park blog to help bring the community of residents here together. I wanted to have a place for news, big or small, that people could visit and stay up to date. I also want it to be a place where residents can take part and contribute to the blog and have their say, share their news or raise any concerns.

What do you feel the key local issues are for your community and how have you used your website to address these?

Some of the key issues around Wake Green Park are to do with security of the estate and our homes, plus maintenance of the site as well which includes gardening. We pay a management company a monthly maintenance fee and I know the amount is of a concern to some residents. Also, from the feedback I’ve received a lot of people have welcomed the blog and think it’s a very positive move for bringing the community together.

What has been your favourite post or feature on your website and why?

My favourite post is about the Wake Green Park Big Lunch. It was a picnic I organised for residents as part of the Big Lunch campaign which aims to bring communites together. This involved me doing a post campaign around all the flats to make sure I included everyone, as not all residents are online. I had a couple of neighbours volunteer their time to help out too. There was a good turn out on the day and people were saying how they enjoyed having a chance to meet new neighbours and make new friends.

What obstacles have you faced with your website, and how have you overcome these?

Initially there were concerns raised by some of the Directors of the estate. The Board of Directors is made up of volunteers residents. Some of the issues raised were security. By putting some information online they were afraid that this would encourage criminals.

They were also concerned about the Big Lunch picnic. I think they thought it was going to be a raucous party. I took the opportunity to meet with them, introduce myself properly and tell them a bit about my background and allayed their worries. They have turned their views around and they are now very supportive of the blog.

What do you think it is that attracts readers to your website?

I think residents enjoy having their own space on the internet and are rather proud of that. I think they like to read up on the smaller matters of the park as well as the bigger issues.

Mole found in Wake Green Park!

Mole found in Wake Green Park!

What’s the most absurd thing that has happened on your site?

I am still waiting for the absurd! :)

[I beg to differ on this one, this post about a ceramic mole wreaking havoc on the Wake Green Park lawn seemed slightly absurd to me! - Nicky]

What changes would you like to make to your website over the next few months?

I would like to be able to update the blog with news from Moseley and what is going on in the wider area of the park. I’d also like to ask local shops if they would offer discounts to residents in return for advertising on the site. I think a forum would be a good idea too, so residents can have a chat there.

Where do you see your website in a year’s time?

I would like to have some volunteer bloggers contributing alongside me. I’d like to be able to work with the management company a bit more and with their help be able to make important announcements. Featuring pictures and stories from residents about the park would be interesting and perhaps hold some competitions such as ‘best flower box’.

What one thing would make managing your website even more rewarding than it already is?

Time! I’d love some more free time to dedicate to it to keep it right up to date with the latest news and stories. I think the blog and the residents deserve this.

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