Morning Thoughts

Defining Hyperlocal, Part 4: What Next?

It used to be that something local was in your neighborhood, but that was another era. If you couldn't walk or take a quick drive to the products or services you were after, they wouldn't be considered local, but instead, annoying. That was my point of view anyway. 

Now, thanks to the internet and advances in communication technology, locality has evolved into a completely different animal. Locality is no longer a physical place, or an address. Online communities such as Facebook, Myspace, AOL, even this blog, all provide us with a sense of locality or being near each other. As AOL started the social network technology (very successfully), users loved the idea of being able to plug their computer into the wall in Iowa, and talking with a perfect stranger from Detroit, instantaneously. After that, AOL realized that users wanted to talk to people even closer and created chat rooms for nearly every major city, then allowed users to create private rooms about any topic they desired, I thought it was pretty cool. 

Myspace and Facebook came along, and we all know the story there. Eventually there were small networks all over the world that would connect users locally, or at least give them the feeling of being right next to someone. 

Moving to Seattle, Catching Up, and Being Copied

Well, I've finally made my move here (to Seattle), and have been enjoying each day. I feel so relieved being away from the hell that is Las Vegas. I haven't been writing any blogs, nor in my journal for that matter - just been too busy. Coming up this next week:

• First on the list is the final part of my Hyperlocal series. This week I have received a few emails asking if or when I will post the last part of my Hyperlocal series. I'm going to work on that this weekend, and have it posted Monday or Tuesday. For the last part, I asked Shields Bialasik for his input on where he thinks Hyperlocal is going. He started Locals Guide, a Hyperlocal Media Machine in Ashland, Oregon - a truly hyperlocal community. The site is great, they have an accompanying magazine, and it continually gets better and better. 

• Web 2.0 is great, but companies aren't making much (if any) money in it. Everyone is jumping on the 2.0 bandwagon, but no one has come up with a viable formula for creating profits. 2.0 is cool, but Web 3.0 is what I'm more interested in. I'm hoping Justin Says will fit in with the 3.0 model. 

• Justin Says is my new startup, and the biggest reason for coming back to the Northwest. According to a few friends, there are some people trying to copy my idea and launch a business of their own both here and back in Las Vegas. Sounds fun, I can forward my business plan if needed.... More on this later.

Those are some of my upcoming posts, but today I'm doing work right now and for the next few weeks on Local Discount Cards, one of my companies. Currently, I help youth programs with fundraising opportunities that benefits the kids, local businesses, and the local community in general. The business has been going for nearly two years, and now I'm looking into the next stage of growth - working with corporations. The idea is still in its infancy, and I only have one client so far, but you need to start somewhere! I'm also looking for a web designer/developer to update my Discount Card website. I created the current one, which was a fun learning experience, but I'm looking for a professional now. If you know anyone, send them my way!

I need to get back to work, there are people out there that need my ideas!

- Justin

Justin's Quarterly Review, a Work in Progress

My last few months have been spent researching, planning and developing my new hyperlocal startup, which will also include a quarterly magazine of local arts, culture, literature and events. The planning has been fun, meeting and working with business leaders, mentors, and investors has been inspiring, and the huge amounts of support has been overwhelming at times. In total, the process has been a wonderful learning experience and has provided me with a better understanding of myself, my future, and what I am capable of.

Lately I've been working on the concept for my quarterly publication, and while I glean a variety of magazines, there are a handful that I subscribe to and consider to be in the upper echelon in the world of journalism.

Defining Hyperlocal, Part 3: Citizen Journalism

In Part One of my mini series of Defining Hyperlocal, I talked about the history of business in America, which led to the evolution of small business and locally sustainable communities during the Colonial period. Today's topic is citizen journalism/media, which is simply journalism done by non-journalists.

Newspapers have been around for quite some time. Julius Caesar had a daily news bulletin posted for the public called the Acta diurna. There was an 8th century newspaper in Beijing, and in the 15th century German cities began to publish broadsides, single paged newsletters, as well. In 1556, Venetians could read the Notizie scritte for a small fee, the gazetta.

The Defining of Hyperlocal, Part 2: Small Business

In PART 1 of my quest to define hyperlocal, I talked briefly about the history of business in the US during the colonial days. As colonies began to work and trade with each other, the business of retailing began to take form as nomadic peddlers traveled from house to house trying to make a profit. The vast majority of these hawkers would make a few 1,000+ mile trips with packs of goodies on their backs (either by horse or foot).

In the colonial era, the retail business was a vehicle out of poverty. While most of us relate peddling to those scheming entrepreneurs selling magical potions off the back of their carts (everything seemed possible in those days), many significant inventions (like the steamboat), enterprises (Stanley Tools), and prominent leaders (Lincoln, Edison) came from the colonial day peddling.

The Defining of Hyperlocal, Part 1

The other day, after I finished preparing for a meeting with potential partners, I asked a colleague of mine to review the material and give me his thoughts. The last couple of months have been full of 120-130 hour weeks researching, planning, and calculating for my new "hyperlocal" startup. Everyday, in addition to looking like I woke up and did a few lines of coke out off of my bathroom sink, I've also learned that time becomes more valuable than nutrition and exercise. passion has eagerly replaced them both.

After reading through the document, there was one question I've been asked numerous times before, "What does Hyperlocal mean?" I have found the term to be rather ambiguous. Many people have varying opinions on what it means, but for the majority, it is centered around local news and events. A good start, but I believe the term connotes a deeper meaning within the realm of economics, specifically at the local and community level.