While we often use social media to stay in touch with those furthest from us, sometimes the most valuable sources that we can friend and follow are in much, much closer proximity.
Twitter, in particular, with its evolution into a platform for instant news and updates, boasts a wide array of journalists, bloggers and everyday people who have something worthwhile and useful to say to those local to them.
Interested in getting the latest local news, updates, reviews, politics, opinions and more? If so, use these tips to find hyperlocal bloggers on Twitter:
1. Search by Locale
This one may sound like a no-brainer, but remember that people are free to enter any word they like as their location and you’ll need to narrow your search terms accordingly. Searching by the name of your city or town is a great way to start, but narrowing down your search terms to include the names of districts, neighborhoods and even streets is a necessary method to help you to locate as many pertinent users as possible.
Tip: Include any appropriate term that you can think of, even nicknames – for example, “Big Apple” or “NYC” for New York City.
2. Search by Local Hashtag
Keeping in mind that the local people that you’re looking to connect with on Twitter are probably also looking for the same thing, keep an eye on local hashtags that you can use to find not only new sources to follow, but local news, events and other updates, as well. Given their popularity, hashtags have become the premiere way to find narrowly focused content on Twitter and you’re very likely to find more than a few pertaining to your region.
Tip: In order to identify pertinent hashtags, take the time to experiment within Twitter with terms that apply particularly to your area. This will allow you to find new hashtags to bookmark from both the search results and the additional hashtags that you’ll find connected to the localized tweets of others.
3. Search by Affiliation
Some of the hyperlocal bloggers that you’re looking for will be affiliated with local newspapers, magazines and other journalistic sources, making them easier to search for on Twitter. If the organization in question doesn’t already use hashtags for its tweets, you can use Twitter’s nifty ability to search within biography information to nail your favorite sources down.
Focus your efforts on the names of local sources and businesses and you’re sure to come away with at least a few new Tweeters worth following.
4. Check Local Newspapers
If you’re looking for journalists in particular, you may find that local newspapers include Twitter feed URLs alongside other personal information associated with each column with the physical paper itself, giving you easy access to several important accounts without the need for any difficult research at all.
Be sure to have a look at both individual stories and the main credits and editorial comments page; either or both could have just the information you’re looking for (Hat tip to Tom of VIP Realty Dallas).
5. Network
No matter your niche or your goals, rubbing shoulders with potential readers and sources is going to prove to be a very important part of the way that you work online and this means getting out into the world at large in order to connect with like-minded people. Not only will this reveal valuable Twitter accounts, but you’ll make friendships that will prove valuable in both your personal and business lives, as well.
6. Be an Active Tweeter
Probably the best way to connect with your colleagues on Twitter is to be active and enjoyable with your own tweets. This will help you to gain the recognition that you’re working for, making others aware of your Twitter activity and bringing them directly to you without the need for any additional legwork!
For best results, be sure to include localized hashtags in your tweets that you’ve identified as being directly related to your target audience. In addition, consider giving local colleagues a shout-out within your tweets when appropriate, giving them a reason to pay attention and potentially retweet or respond, creating just the sort of conversation that you’re looking for.
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About Ann Smarty
Twitter: Ajayudayagiri
says:
Great tips!
Increasing our network lets us find hyper local bloggers on Twitter. Making tweets frequently lets them know that we are active in social networking field.
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Twitter: freedom9to5
says:
I have never used twitter to search for information. Thank you for the information.
I’m active on Twitter! And the way I see it, I’ve used every strategy you’ve mentioned. Very helpful. Thanks so much!
Thanks for sharing nice tips about twitter! There are many tips to communicate and awareness in the world.
For my part, I think of the most trending topics on the news and find them on Twitter by topic. It’s a piece of cake!
I haven’t used Twitter much and still trying to get the hang of it. Thanks for sharing these tips.
Twitter: h_wasif
says:
Hi,
Certainly great twitter tips,Its help to find local hastags.Finding local followers is a good way.
Thanks!
Twitter: tourisminkerala
says:
nice tips .its new gk. thanks for sharing.
Twitter: tourisminkerala
says:
nice tips.easy to learn and understand.thanks for sharing new things.
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Twitter: dragonblogger
says:
Local communication is important, I built a whole local Twitter account for this purpose for local events. I used this tool plus the ReFollow tool to look up accounts that had a state or city listed in their bio which was a good method to find users in that location as well. Other than Twitter Search and Hashtags are among my tops, Twellow is also a great way to search out state/city for Twitter users.
Twitter: tourisminkerala
says:
great, useful tips. thanks for sharing.
Twitter: moreinmedia
says:
I have (mostly) local social media clients and have used the advanced search on Twitter many times to find local twitter accounts. I also use several local hashtags and now that I manage multiple local accounts, I connect those, too. Bloggers are a bit harder to find, but we have a few local sources and networking groups where I have connected with other bloggers. I am hoping to eventually make a ‘local Tribe’ on Triberr with local (Myrtle Beach, SC) bloggers! You provide some great tips for those who are local marketers.
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Twitter: rancorinfotech
says:
Certainly great twitter tips, I’ve been using twitter for long time but really had no idea about these useful tips.
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Twitter: seosmarty
says:
Thanks for the feedback!
Hi Enn,
Nice post..
But is it really necessary when we are blogging to make contacts with the local bloggers or readers..??
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It’s always good to see great twitter tips.
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Nice twitter tips, thanks a lot.
Twitter: australia_daily
says:
Thank you for sharing this post with us.These tips will help me a lot.
Great post..Thank you i have learnt something new.
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I can’t agree with you more on networking with local people IN-PERSON! Sometimes on the internet, it’s easy to lose sight of that fact when you can easily be connected to anyone, anywhere in the world. Developing true personal relationships is the best approach. Thanks for the post!
Twitter: walshandj
says:
Nice tips! I knew there were ways other than just the location search, but didn’t know a lot on the specifics. I’m especially going to look into finding local hashtags. From what I’ve done so far it seems to be pretty hit or miss if one is going to be really active or not. I’m never how many people actually monitor hashtag streams.
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Twitter: seosmarty
says:
Thanks, Andrew! It;s good to know I managed to explain something new!
Great tips!
thanks for this sharing
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Great Twitter tips, finding local followers is a very good idea.
thanks for this sharing
ani maya recently posted..Eliminating paper Blogger Showing Post With Label
Nice twitter tips, that reminds me that I’ve been following this blog on twitter too.
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Twitter: bihar
says:
Good points on how to find similar local bloggers. I need to do these things for myself. As you say, the best way to do is a lot of tweeting and you will be found by others and if your tweets are good then they will follow you and you can do the same in return.
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Twitter: 3mwindowfilmto
says:
I think that searching for locations and hashtags aside, the best way to find hyperlocal bloggers in your niche is to network on social media and be active with your posts. If you do that you wont have to look for these bloggers, they will instead find you.
Good grief! This is awesome! I need to try these stuffs.
Thanks :-)
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Twitter: Blog_Tipster
says:
Great Twitter tips, finding local followers is a very good idea.
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Twitter: bbrian017
says:
Hi Ann, you know it’s ironic I was just commenting on a blog that was discussing the value of marketing outside and offline. I was saying how I could potentially benefit and gain value by finding more local Blog Engage members. It’s been such a challenge to make everyone become active more in the community. perhaps if people know it’s owned bu a local they will engage even more. I was considering possible doing a banner for my SUV, but with this post it seems I can find more local users simply by using your tips shown here on Twitter.
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Twitter: seosmarty
says:
Good to see you, Brian! Long time no chat!
Indeed a no brainer. However I never considered searching someone on twitter using locale. Weird. Must be degenerating. Thanks for reminding me.
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