On the spectrum of directories that include user-generated content, Wimgo is one of the most advanced. Wimgo doesn’t just use Facebook instant-connect to capture user-information, it also uses integrate people’s Facebook likes and their friends likes with business records in the directory, providing a key advantage over other recommendation sites like Yelp. Here's how they did it, and our take on this as a partnership opportunity. more

Here are nine take-aways from the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies' 2011 Web Conference about who Millennials are and what they want as local media consumers and employees. more

A key new directory partnership opportunity in the home services area, ServiceAlley.com, launched three weeks ago as a partnership between Teachstreet and the Washington Post. The group is challenging Angie’s List, IYP’s and even Valpak for the home services categories. Here is an outline of how it works and our recommendations. more

Many large publishers are investigating self-serve ad platforms as a way to sell small businesses- and replace classifieds - efficiently. A new entry into the field is QuickAds, a just-released self-serve ad platform from Creative Circle Media Solutions. Here's our review of the platform and potential uses. more

SeniorChecked, a directory of certified home service providers, demonstrates how local directories are evolving to serve different kinds of marketplaces. After the original business strategy faltered, a team of executives at AOL left to turn-around the start-up. Here's their plan, led by CEO Chris Spanos, to solidify the business model and take a run at the Better Business Bureau. more

A key take away from the BIA Kelsey 2011 Interactive Local Media conference is the value of deal aggregators. Once a group deal program is launched aggregators can help increase revenues. Here is a list of top aggregators for generating traffic. more

Most current online sales materials are, let's face it, terrible. This is primarily because local media's audience research itself is limited or national. But this is about to change. Post-Gazette.com is testing a new method of researching its site visitors that is free, from a partner called Civic Science. Here is how it works and early results. more

The healthcare industry is one of the healthiest local advertising categories. Get the biggest share by looking at best practices around the country. Find out what hospital marketers want, and to increase dollars from the cosmetic service industry. more

Setting up a Group Deal program? Find out what it will take, revenues to expect per deal, which local businesses to approach, deal parameters, how to compete with Groupon and Living Social in your market and choosing a vendor and a worksheet on the Group Deal Business model. more

Train the sales team to sell around text-marketing campaigns by looking for great co-promotions that add traditional internet and media. SMS campaigns for small businesses rely on massive amounts of data collection - they need help from media. Here are seven ways to turn this rapidly growing trend into profitable relationships. more