Why hyperlocal is nothing new

I have had an epiphany. I've finally grasped how to make money from the internet as a journalist. And do you know what? It was a business model I tried...in 1986.

I bumped into George Dearsley a couple of weeks ago.

We got talking hyperlocal and he reminded me that the concept is far from being a new one telling me about a venture he started in Stockport back in 1986.

He explains more on his blog

My own venture into one man band publishing came after I took redundancy from a national newspaper. Partly inspired, I suppose, by Eddie Shah I bought an Apple Mac and tried to understand the Pagemaker programme. But keen to get started I actually convinced a local printer pal to produce copies of my brainchild The Stockport Sport and Leisure Guide.

George Dearsley and his trip to Falsie towers

George Dearsley reminisces in a great post

He was

drawn to journalism as a schoolboy by reading about writers like James Cameron.

so was prepared as he was assigned to go undercover in a transvestite hotel in Oldham.

The story continues

I was on my way to the Victorian terrace house, which was soon to be dubbed Falsie Towers. Rupert, a Tina Turner look-alike, greeted me at the front door and showed me to my room. He advised me on what dress to wear for dinner, applied my make up, then disappeared to prepare the meal.

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