Schedule

Hyper-local Publishing and Blogging 101
How to connect with your community via news and lifestyle blogs

Saturday, Oct. 9, 2010

9:30-10 a.m. – Registration, coffee and networking

10 a.m. – Welcome –

Alicia Roberts, director of partner relations

Steve Gunn, innovations editor

Dee-Dee Strickland, senior editor/online

Charlotte Observer

Session 1:

10:15-11 a.m. – Why publish hyper-local info? – Building community trust

Learn about:

• Identifying your audience and their info needs
• Build a blog? Or start a neighborhood news site?
• Promoting your community and reporting the truth

Khristina Bretthauer, VillaHeightsVoice.com

Sim Stafford, VillaHeightsVoice.com

Katy Listwa, hoodieCharlotte.com

Melissa Lamkin, Bride+Groom and swankypeach.com

Moderator: Alicia Roberts

Session 2/Track 1:

11-11:45 a.m.  – What’s news? – Writing for the hyper-local reader

Learn about:

• Secrets to clear, engaging writing that will win followers
• How to get your news
• Sourcing and source development
• Fair use of another blogger’s work and other media’s work
• Advertorial and advertising vs. news

Liz Chandler, assistant metro editor, Charlotte Observer

Jarvis Holliday, GrownPeopleTalking.com

Caroline Adams, BallantyneScoop.com

Moderator: Andria Krewson, Charlotte Observer

Session 2/Track 2:

11-11:45 a.m. – Bring on the commenters – Building a blog following

Learn about:

• Making connections that boost your traffic
• Anonymous vs. named, moderated vs. comment free-for-all
• Using social media to broadcast your message
• Blog networks and other alliances
• Working the local media

Mary Newsom, Charlotte Observer (The Naked City)

Justin Ruckman, CLTblog.com

Jon McPherson, momsCharlotte.com (Uptown SAHD)

Lisa Frame, adailypinch.com and mommyality.com

Moderator: Jennifer Rothacker, momsCharlotte.com

11:45-12:15 p.m. – Lunch and networking

Session 3/Track 1:

12:15-1:10 p.m. – Where to start – Choosing the technology and getting online – and looking good while at it

Learn about:

• WordPress, Blogger and the rest
• Site hosting
• Photography, video and visuals: The equipment and beyond
• Plug-ins like Everyblock.com, SeeClickFix.com, Google Calendar, Google Maps
• SEO and RSS feeds

Matt Tyndall, CLTblog.com

Steve Sherron, MonroeScoop.com

Ben Ullman, TegaCayTalk.com

Moderator: Andria Krewson, Charlotte Observer

Session 3/Track 2:

12:15-1:10 p.m. – Where’s hyper-local going? – The promise of neighborhood news

Learn about:

• Hyper-local news networks and content sharing
• The rise of the ad alliances and the state of online advertising
• The competition
• Models and best practices

Steve Gunn, Charlotte Observer

Glenn Burkins, Qcitymetro.com

Justin Ruckman, CLTblog.com

Moderator: Alicia Roberts

Session 4:

1-1:45 p.m. – Hobby vs. business – Taking your hyper-local blog a step further

Learn about:

• Google Ads
• Marketing and local ad sales
• Should you build a business? Can you make money?
• Charlotte News Network partnerships

Glenn Burkins, Qcitymetro.com

Matt Tyndall, CLTblog.com

Lisa Frame, adailypinch.com and mommyality.com

Moderator: Andria Krewson, Charlotte Observer

1:55 p.m. – Thank you – Rick Thames, executive editor, Charlotte Observer

An invitation to meet with the Observer’s hyper-local team

2 p.m. – Meet the speakers – Networking with our experts

2:15-2:45 p.m. – Optional newsroom tour – Rich Mathieson, Charlotte Observer