About Us
For all media inquiries have a look at our media page.
First, Some History
Locally Informed's roots grew out of a hyperlocal news start-up in Canada, launched in May 2005.
After a short time, we soon realised the impact we were having. We were connecting and building our community; bringing people together in a powerful way, with a scale and reach
we weren't expecting.
Read some feedback we got back in 2008.
One of the most revealing quotes from the comments to the article was this:
"...providing a valuable service to the community; with open dialogue being the basis of any true democracy. IMO every community should have a web site like opinion250 run by people so clearly dedicated to their community."
There are those within every community that possess the ability and dedication to create this same effect for those around them. If this is you, then keep reading!
Building communities is one of the key purposes of Locally Informed. In fact, it's one of 9 from our Manifesto.
It's a short, but poignant read. Take a break and read it now ->
Technically Speaking
Locally Informed steps beyond the boundaries of traditional news publishing as well as that of Opinion250. Specifically, Locally Informed is a hosted software platform which enables journalists in their communities to publish original content. Also, to aggregate and organise existing news and information from hundreds of sources on the internet into one place, all continuously updated. If it's online and has something to do with your community (Region, City or Suburb), the ability exists to provide access to it.
You and your community will judge the value of the content on its merits, and its relevance to your area.
Optionally, readers in your community then add their own photos, discuss, share and contribute their own stories.
A Better Way
Locally Informed is not only a platform to deliver news and information, but also a means for journalists to drive revenue and build their own local news business in a completely unique way.
Without the need to sell advertisements or subscriptions, readers are rather compensated for contributing content and engaging others on the site.
Nowaday's when you hear about an online news publishing start-up, often it's not long before the question of revenue comes up. And all to often, the answer is paid advertisements.
Ask yourself how often you click on an ad or find it useful. Most people have developed fully functional blinders that stretch accross the top and down both sides of all websites. No, ads are not the solution.
To uncover the alternative to ads and subscriptions, we dig deeper. This is the 3rd and final key area of Locally Informed.
Locally Informed Marketplace
With Locally Informed, you'll engage your readers in a new way, by providing them a means to ask each other questiona and post tasks they have to
get done. All done by locals.
Giving you a few examples of questions & tasks in action, will help to make it clear:
- Find me the right rural property south of town with a view. Win $350.
- I'm opening a new organic coffee shop. Suggestions for best locations? If I choose your location, you win $200.
- I run a business that relies on tourism. I need ideas on attracting clients in a recession. Top 5 suggestions wins $100 each.
- I've got a 25th wedding anniversary coming up. Suggestions for an event and gift locally for under $100? Win 300 Credits.
- I'm looking for old photos of the port and marina for a project. Best 5 photos win $50 each.
- Help me learn to and setup my first garden over the weekend. Ideal Price $150.
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