TownSync Daily

Establishing a HyperLocal Social Network

Feb 1, 2009 TownSync, hyperlocal

At TownSync one of our most discussed topics is “hyperlocal.” The term has been used a lot over the past couple years to describe sites that aggregate news for a very local audience. Hyperlocal news channels are great, and are helping people learn more about what’s going on in their community, but they are missing some very key features; they do not allow people to connect or create content and manage a personal page in their town. TownSync will offer a community space for people and business owners in these local areas to build their online presence as well as connect with one another. We believe that creating a social network for people from the same town or city will create a stronger community online and off. Instead of simply commenting on a local blog, TownSync will provide a way for people to establish new connections, share information directly, or post information to the community for all to view.

Hyperlocal blogging, although important, is still in a growing period. News sources are just now starting to realize that people are overwhelmed with global and national news, but are short on resources in their area or on their street. The “socialites” in town are stepping up and coming out on top with hyperlocal blogs because they know what people in their area are looking to hear. In addition to this, big news sources have a much broader audience and need to find stories that please the masses, not specific areas.

Our intent with TownSync is not to diminish the growing hyperlocal industry, but to encourage it and allow for an atmosphere that emphasizes local interaction. With these things in mind we tend to think of TownSync as a hyperlocal social network. TownSync will bring online communities to a local level and establish hyperlocal networks of families, business-owners, bloggers, community-leaders and everyday folk.