Local News Goes HyperLocal

Newspapers have all but given up on local - slashing staff and cutting reporters seems to be the norm these days. Local television stations web sites have been eyeing the consumer's move towards "hyperlocal" Internet content with anxious eyes as well, but some at least, thankfully, have been more proactive in tackling the challenge then their print based counterparts.

The Lost Remote TV Blog reports on a new initiative by King5, the NBC affiliate in Seattle, who launched Citizen Rain - a blog aggregator that catalogs the latest conversations happening in a number of verticals, including real estate. The site pulls together the latest posts from a number of popular Seattle blogs including 360 Digest, Rain City Guide, Seattle Bubble and Urbnlivn to create a virtual "river of news" for their viewers.

They've also enlisted local blogger Ben Kakimoto from Seattle Condos & Lofts to write their own Condo blog. A very smart move by a local channel to work with the bloggers rather than fight against them. Why? NBC gets some great content to sell advertising inventory around and Ben instantly gets the credibility boost (and presumably some condo business) from King5's endorsement. Win, win.

So if you're still questioning why you should start your own real estate blog - look no further. Mainstream media is looking for ways to capitalize on this new medium and could be looking for you to help.

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