Scott Karp explains why “hyperlocal” web content is failing to catch on: “The problem with all the thinking on hyperlocal is that it’s focused on what we think people need, i.e. more local news reporting, not what they want, i.e. help getting things done…” “That doesn’t mean that hyperlocal can’t evolve in the 2.0 era… Continue reading Why Hyperlocal News Fails to Catch On
Author: Dan Blank
Breaking News vs. Traditional Newswriting
The New York Times Digital News Editor responds to questions about their efforts online. Some great questions and responses, but his answer regarding the increasing pressure to focus on breaking news was particularly interesting: “I think most news reporters at The New York Times, and at most other newspapers as well, would tell you that… Continue reading Breaking News vs. Traditional Newswriting
Journalist as Aggregator
Wired profiles Nicole Lapin, host of CNN.com Live Video, the network’s 24-hour online news service. On her role as a journalist: “As an anchor in this new medium, what I do is a combination of traditional reporting and pointing people to where they can find the story told best.” “What [citizen journalists] do can be… Continue reading Journalist as Aggregator
Premature Reporting on the Web
Marc Andreessen illustrates how the the web has created a lot of premature “reporting,” especially among tech bloggers. He uses the example of the launch of Facebook’s new platform, which happened five weeks ago: “If the backlash against Facebook’s platform has begun, then let me now start the backlash against the backlash.”
Cleaning Up Your Online Reputation
Much like High Schoolers, now adults are becoming obsessed with their “reputation.” In this case, their online reputation. As more and more information about you is available on the web, some are turning to consulting firms to clean up their online reputation. Here is the story of one woman: “In December, Scheff turned to ReputationDefender,… Continue reading Cleaning Up Your Online Reputation
This Ad is Watching You
Yahoo announced a new tool for creating targeted ads on the web: “The product, Yahoo SmartAds, would help marketers create custom advertisements on the fly, using information on individual buyers and information on real prices and availability from the vendors. For example, a person who had recently searched for information about blenders might see an… Continue reading This Ad is Watching You
The Battle for Micro-Blogging: Twitter vs. Pownce
TechCrunch outlines the most recent battle between micro-blogging platforms, in this case: Twitter vs. Pownce: “The main differences: Twitter is mobile-ready, allowing users to receive friend requests and new messages via text message. And Pownce gives users more flexibility in communicating by allowing messages just to friends. Pownce also allows different kinds of messages –… Continue reading The Battle for Micro-Blogging: Twitter vs. Pownce
The Life and Death of Bloggers
Jeremiah Owyang and Kent Newsome share two possible lifecycles of bloggers: Blogs That Die Which includes the following stages: Excitement Expectation Frustration Alienation Abandonment Blogs That Thrive Which includes the following stages: Excitement Expectation Focus Passion Achievement
Living in a Post-iPhone World
When we all go back to work this week, it will be one changed by the iPhone. Increasingly, you will see this little gadget being fiddled with, along with sideways glances from those around it. The bottom line: expectations for mobile phones, and portable computing, has been lifted dramatically. I spent some time fiddling with… Continue reading Living in a Post-iPhone World
The Bionic Man Meets Social Networking
Facebook recently turned their social network into a “platform,” allowing any outside developer to create applications that can be used within it. There has been a land rush of activity, although some reports show that it has been more hype than not. It seems that MySpace is following Facebook’s lead: “MySpace is likely to change… Continue reading The Bionic Man Meets Social Networking