No Bystanders Allowed

Getting involved at a hyperlocal level means that you step across the line which separates bystander from participant. This action represents the difference between an individual who has the ability to establish real hyperlocal relationships and engagement versus those who merely create a superficial list of names, numbers and emails.

Concern about becoming a participate at the hyperlocal level is legitimate but the truth of the matter is that the audience and community which you serve expect that you will be reporting from the inside. This type of media creation and reporting is quickly replacing more traditional styles of media in which the media remains as a bystander to the event and community.

The Audience at the hyperlocal level expect transparency and disclosure which is both real and accurate. This audience expect you to be real and available with them in a way that differences are not as important as identifying as part of the pack. Trust that your audience would be more interested and willing to give their attention to information coming from within your community rather than outside, even if it comes with an opinion or personality.

Getting the “Inside Scoop” is what its all about. Local event reporting that is “Insider” based tells the audience “what it was really like”. It invites them in, just like a close friend to disclose an experience that has occurred or will occur. It discusses nuisance and familiarity which establish and maintain intimacy, connection, and trust.

These are the secret handshakes of working at the hyperlocal level.

Most importantly as you become an “Insider” within your community it reveals to your audience their own level of access. The more proximity an insider can gain, the more easily attention can be held. This explains the phenomena of behind reality shows in which the media becomes an “Insider” to the intimate details of all sort of situations. Some circumstances extreme, but most highly average.

So why all the attention, and how does reality from an “Insiders” vantage point create and hold so much interest?

Would it be possible for you to capture such engagement at the hyperlocal level?
Most Definitely!

Here is a tip you can use to establish rapport at the hyperlocal level, you can call it name dropping. But instead of mentioning the names of famous people, make sure to mention the names of people, places and things at the local level.

Example:

Insider
I was just at Bi-Mart doing some shopping and Irene was really a hilarious.
* Several things are implied here.
1. That you know what Bi-Mart Is
2. That you know who Irene Is
3. That Irene being hilarious might have some context for you.

Outsider
I was just at the grocery store doing some shopping and the cashier had some funny jokes.

This is a simple example but you can imagine that if you are out and about within a community and working to build rapport and connections which approach will work best.

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