By Gina Cuclis

What Is a Hyperlocal News Site

A website providing visitors information about what's happening near them. Unlike traditional newspaper websites, hyperlocal news sites strive to build communites of visitors who participate in providing the sites' news and commentary. It's not uncommon for hyperlocal news sites to operate without involvement of traditional journalists.

A Sonoma County Example

Empire Report is based out of Santa Rosa, Calif. As stated on its website, its "goals include strengthening the community fabric, fostering open and thoughtful dialogue among residents, and supporting local economic vitality through the active engagement of talented writers, interested readers, and local advertisers." Its page for submitting articles says, "Empire Report is where you make the news."

A Traditional Newspapers' Hyperlocal Site

Petaluma 360 is part of the Santa Rosa Press Democrat, which is owned by the NY Times. A few years ago, the Press Democrat bought the Petaluma Argus Courier newspaper and eventually absorbed the Argus Courier's online version into Petaluma 360. In addition to local news provided by journalists, Petaluma 360 has a "post your stuff" area encouraging readers to post photos, events, news and opinioins. The site also has Bloggers 360, where about two dozens locals blog about a variety of topics from alternate health to gardening.

A Bigger Region's Hyperlocal News Site

The San Diego News Network (SDNN) launched earlier this year. Its partners include San Diego County community, business and broadcast media organizations. Among its reporters are laid off journalists. The site's excutive editor and publisher, Barbara Bry, said, in an article in the June 2009 issue of PR Tactics, "We believe that no organization can effectively — and profitably — provide the breadth and depth of local news for a decent-size media market."

SDNN also appears to be direct competition to San Diego's traditional daily newspaper, the San Diego Union Tribune. It recently laid off 192 employees after the now defunct Copley family newspaper chain sold the Union Tribune to Platium Equity Partners.

Can Hyperlocal News Sites Make Money?

That's the $64,000 question. Whether hyperlocal news sites, which, like newspapers, give their content away for free, can be profitable has yet to be seen.