Blogging In Real Life: Building Community through Hyperlocal Blogging

Blogging can do more than build online communities. Join hyperlocal bloggers Briana Tomkinson from Tenth to the Fraser (New Westminster), Jon Strocel from TheV3H.com (Tri-Cities) and Rick Chung of VancouverIsAwesome as they discuss how they have used social media to improve quality of life in their local communities and launch their own businesses connected to their sites. Topics will include how to use Twitter, Facebook and other social media to connect with locals and enhance your blog, blog monetization and the personal benefits of hyperlocal blogging. Jason Kurylo moderates.

Bios

Briana Tomkinson is the Editor & Publisher of Tenth To The Fraser, a passionately local weblog about life in New Westminster. Briana is also the co-owner of Hyack Interactive, a consulting firm specializing in small business & social marketing. She last spoke at Northern Voice in 2009.

Jon Strocel publishes the hyperlocal Tri-Cities blog, theV3H.com, together with his wife Amber (of strocel.com). Jon also owns a media and production company, upNext Media.

Rick Chung is a broadcast journalist, media strategist, and public speaker on career diversity and social media branding. He is the social editor for VancouverIsAwesome.com and has done work for CBC News, CBC Radio 3, News1130, UBC Arts, and Langara College. See also http://vancouverdaze.com

Moderator Jason Kurylo is the co-founder of Pucked in the Head, a hockey podcast with listeners on four continents. He is also a Workplace Skills Coach with the Training Group at Douglas College, a writer of questionable talent, and a proud father who will show you pictures of his six-month-old daughter if you're not careful. Jason is excited to be a part of Northern Voice.