Why Digital Localized Media is the Way of the Future

Welcome back to the City Living Network where we help you launch, manage and monetize city-specific publications like Laguna Beach Living and Lexington Living Magazine. 2023 is the year we’re taking over the tourism boards and sharing a local’s side of our favorite places. So if you love your community, have a passion for creating connections, and want to start a thriving business from home, you’ve come to the right place. 

Learn how you can get started launching your own city-specific publication in just 30 days, by booking a free consultation with our founder Lindsay. She can create a media kit for your city which will give you an idea of what your publication would look like – and answer any questions that you might have. Book your call → here. 

Today we’re talking about why digital, localized media is the way of the future. And what we really mean by that is why blogs and more importantly, local, city-specific blogs are going to take over tourism boards and newspapers when it comes to sharing information, celebrating new businesses, and inviting tourists to our communities. 

Why Digital Localized Media is the Way of the Future

In today’s digital world, the way we consume media is constantly evolving. We’ve talked recently about the changes in social media alone, but the way we’re consuming blogs, podcasts, and tv are changing too. Gone are the days of relying on traditional forms of media, such as newspapers, radio, and even, Lonely Planet books. Instead, we’re living in a world where digital media reigns supreme. And within this digital landscape, local media and city-specific blogs are quickly becoming the way of the future. 

What is Localized Media?

When we talk about localized media, we’re mainly referring to the distribution of news and information that is tailored to a specific geographic area or community – like what our Editors-in-Chief do with Prescott Days or Queer Denver Living. Running a website, podcasts, and social media that focuses on their hometowns. 

City-specific publications allow for a more targeted and personalized approach to consuming media, which is something that people are now seeking. Not to mention, travelers are looking for local experiences over tourism boards and group tours. 

One of the main reasons for the rise of localized media is the increasing demand for news and information that is valuable and unique. As we mentioned above, travelers don’t want a cookie-cutter response from the tourism board. And businesses don’t want the traditional forms of advertising like running ads in the local paper. With so much information available online, people are looking for ways to filter through the noise and find the content that is most valuable to them. 

City-specific publications help do that. They cover topics like local events, the best new restaurants opening up, the best neighborhoods to raise a family and so much more. 

Staying relevant on social media

Staying relevant on social media is another way that a city-specific blog can help you grow in a localized media world. With more and more people using their phones and social media to consume information, this is a great opportunity to get your foot in the door. Your local tourism board or newspaper probably isn’t using social media to its full potential, but with the help of the City Living Network, you’ll learn how to use Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest to your advantage. 

In this digital age, the only way to grow is to hang out where your audience is hanging out – and that’s one of the biggest reasons for the rise of localized digital media. 

In addition to being able to show up better than your competition, localized media allows you to have greater engagement and interaction with your community. By having active social media accounts, you can encourage readers to visit your website first when they’re looking for anything related to your hometown. 

This creates a huge sense of community and engagement that is often lacking in traditional forms of media. 

Allowing for greater diversity and representation

The rise of digital media has allowed for greater diversity and representation in the media landscape. Traditional forms of media, such as newspapers or tourism boards, were often controlled by a small (older) part of the community or even by a small number of people from a large corporation that doesn’t even really know your city. Nowadays, anyone can start a city-specific publication with the City Living Network. This has led to a greater variety of voices and perspectives being represented. 

Kate and her partner Taylor from Queer Denver Living are the perfect examples of this. They’ve been able to create a safe-space and resource for queer people living in Denver and the surrounding area. Queer Denver Living is a one-stop-shop where locals and visitors can find inclusive art, restaurants, doctors, and an open mind.

One of the most amazing parts of running a city-specific blog and localizing the media in your city is the ability to monetize that content. You’re connecting directly with readers who want to learn more about your community – and there’s a lot of power in that. Through the connections and audience that you’re growing, you’ll be able to monetize that content by selling digital ad spaces to local businesses. 

The most important thing to keep in mind is the need for high-quality content. With so much information available online, it’s important for localized media outlets like your city-specific publication to stand out by providing accurate and engaging content. This can be challenging, but we talk all about working with professional writers and photographers in this post. 

In conclusion, the rise of digital localized media is a trend that is here to stay. As more and more people demand news and information that is relevant to their specific community, localized media is becoming an increasingly important way for people to consume media. With your social media platforms, engagement and interaction with your community, and greater diversity of voices and perspectives, localized media is the way of the future. And you can be a part of it, with the City Living Network. 

Join the movement. Become Editor-in-Chief of your own city-specific publication in 2023. Book a free consultation with Lindsay to learn more.