How InJersey.com is using WordPress MU and BuddPress to create a new model for citizen journalist engagement in New Jersey. Presented at WordCamp NYC on Nov. 14, 2009.

1. HYPERLOCAL JOURNALISM,
MEET BUDDYPRESS
InJersey.com and a new model for
citizen journalist engagement

2. WHO AM I?
• Ted Mann — ted@injersey.com / @turkeymonkey
• Digital Development Director for Gannett NJ
• Administer164 WordPress MU staff blogs across five Gannett
NJ websites: app.com, courierpostonline.com, dailyrecord.com,
mycentraljersey.com, and thedailyjournal.com

3. WHAT IS HYPERLOCAL?
• News or content pertaining to a town or small community.
• Often
involves collaboration between veteran journalists and
community members or citizen journalists.
Hyperlocal Not Hyperlocal

4. LOTS OF DIFFERENT MODELS
• Citizen-run
• Professional Journalism
• Pro-Am (hybrid)
• Aggregator

5. THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE
User-Generated Content
Some of the solutions ....

6. INJERSEY.COM
• Our simple solution: BuddyPress and Open Registration

7. OPEN REGISTRATION =
OPEN ACCESS
• User profiles, ability to author posts, access to all sites

8. COACHING CITIZEN
JOURNOS WITH BP
• Using PM’s to issue assignment requests and ideas
• Messaging to send feedback and revision requests
• Member profiles to ensure some degree of accountability

9. DEMO
http://injersey.com/about/

10. 10 PLUGINS
THAT MAKE BUDDYPRESS BETTER FOR HYPERLOCAL
1. Post Google Map
2. Adminimize
3. FeedWordPress
4. BP Blog Author Profile Link
5. Welcome Pack
6. WP Wall

11. 10 PLUGINS
THAT MAKE BUDDYPRESS BETTER FOR HYPERLOCAL
7. Event Calendar
8. TweetMeme
9. Cosmic BP User Signup Password
10. BP-Registration-Options

12. OTHER COOL
HYPERLOCAL TOOLS
• SeeClickFix
• Outside.In
• FlyerBoard

13. CONTACT INFO
InJersey.com
Ted Mann: ted@injersey.com / @turkeymonkey
Personal Blog: turkeymonkey.com