In September of 2013, I joined together with 3 outstanding individuals to compete for an Innovation Grant. We were challenged to develop a mobile app around ‘Social’ or ‘News’. We chose social because we all had a strong idea about exploring local communities. While ‘tourist attractions’ in each city offer entertainment factors, living like a local, we felt, offered a far more in depth experience in the local community. Our idea won the $25,000 grant and we forged forward with our idea developing a mobile app to allow users to experience new communities like a local resident. That is when ‘Living Local’ was born. Over the next seven months we curated content and a business plan to launch this app nationwide. In the end, we did not win the competition to move forward with our development.
Fast forward 2 years, Airbnb announces ‘Guidebooks’ within their home sharing app.
“The company, based in San Francisco, on Tuesday began offering Guidebooks, a feature that lets those who rent out their homes on Airbnb share information about their neighborhood’s best restaurants, bars and attractions, including local spots that might not be found on travel websites or guides, all in the Airbnb app.
Guidebooks’ aim is to let people “live like a local,” Brian Chesky, the chief executive of Airbnb, said in an interview.” New York Times
Well look at that! Bravo Airbnb! As mobile continues to grow as the largest means of search, consumers are using apps to explore and do business in the local community they live and visit. And why am I telling this story? Social, local businesses, search, customers. It’s all tied together with a neat little bow. So if you own a small business serving your local community – be social, engage, network. Be the ‘local hot spot’ in your area. If you need help earning that badge, let g2 media pros show you the way!