When you have some cold hard cash to spend and you can’t find the product you want to spend it on, that may be a sign that it’s a pretty good product. In my case, I’m looking to buy 2 Kodak Zi8′s. This is the updated version of the Kodak Zi6 in which I already own. I love the Kodak Zi6. You can watch the video of my Kodak Zi6 Review if you are so [...]]]>

When you have some cold hard cash to spend and you can’t find the product you want to spend it on, that may be a sign that it’s a pretty good product. In my case, I’m looking to buy 2 Kodak Zi8′s. This is the updated version of the Kodak Zi6 in which I already own. I love the Kodak Zi6. You can watch the video of my Kodak Zi6 Review if you are so inclined.

The main reason I’m going to purchase the updated Zi8 is because of the new capabilities to use a wireless microphone with the Zi8. As a hyperlocal blogger, I have a lot of interview type situations and need the wireless mic. Your viewers will forgive you for crappy video, but they don’t like crappy audio.

My local Best Buy store has them in stock for $230. Amazon and B&H Photo carry them for $179 and both are out of stock as you can see below in the screenshots. I’m not going to pay full retail. I checked the Best Buy website and they state that they will not match prices for online items. Personally, I think that’s a stupid policy from Best Buy. Read their policy below. They will only match their own prices against themselves. It’s stupid mainly because I could have walked out of the store yesterday with my 2 zi8′s and saved $100. Hey, I’m selfish and frugal.

With the $100 savings I could join Amazon Prime for 1 year. That would get me free 2-day shipping on just about everything that Amazon sells.

Amazon is sold out of Kodak Zi8′s. I can go ahead a order one and it will be sent when they are back in stock.

B & H Photo is also out of stock but I like the options they give me better than Amazon. Take a look. I can get an e-mail alert sent to me when they have some in stock. I like that very much. B & H does not make me go through with a purchase.

At Best Buy, I should have been able to walk over to the Geek Associate Table, and after being ignored for 10 minutes, they should have looked up the online price at their competitor and matched the price on the spot. I would have walked out with 2 Zi8′s and they would have a happy customer eager to return again to spend some more money. Instead, I am now re-evaluating how I will shop and will probably avoid my local Best Buy Store unless it’s extremely urgent on my part.

Update:
Kodak has announced the Kodak Playtouch Video Camera. This is the latest and greatest from Kodak in the line-up of Z cameras. It looks awesome and I’m planning on putting this flip camera on my Christmas wish list. Check it out and pre-order now.
Kodak PlayTouch Video Camera (Black) NEWEST VERSION
Kodak PlayTouch Video Camera (Teal) NEWEST VERSION

2010 Bloggerlens.com

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Good morning or good afternoon to all of my friends here on Bloggerlens. I trust that all of you had a great weekend. It’s now time to get back to business and see what we can discover together about making a strong hyperlocal blog.

Today I’m going to feature just one of the tools I use on my hyperlocal blog. I use many and they are all important to me. Since I do a lot [...]]]>

Good morning or good afternoon to all of my friends here on Bloggerlens. I trust that all of you had a great weekend. It’s now time to get back to business and see what we can discover together about making a strong hyperlocal blog.

Today I’m going to feature just one of the tools I use on my hyperlocal blog. I use many and they are all important to me. Since I do a lot of videos on my site, I thought I would give a video review of the Kodak Zi6 HD Flip Camera.

I love this camera! Ok, review over….no just kidding there, but this is one of my favorite tools in my hyperlocal arsenal. For a long time, I had a flip camera in my sights and I lusted to own one but which one? I’ll be honest with you, they just looked like they were flat out fun! Now that I own one, they are flat out fun!

As many of you, I started reading reviews and watching video reviews trying to figure out which flip camera would suit my needs the best. It was a little confusing to me but one camera seemed to be taking the lead the more I researched. The Kodak Zi6 seemed to be the overall favorite for so many people. I made the decision to buy the Zi6 and I couldn’t be happier. I have had so much fun with this camera and I never leave home without it. Literally folks, if I drive off and forget it, I turn around and go get it. I bet many of you do the same thing if you forget your cell phone. If you are, or become a hyperlocal blogger, you will feel the same way about your camera. I figure, sure as the world, if I leave home without it, I’ll stumble upon the biggest local story of the year and I will not be able to capture the event because I was too lazy to turn around and go back home. You do not want this to happen to you.

Let’s get on with the review. I could keep blabbing away but why don’t I show you? I would appreciate all of you keep the snickering to a low roar. This is my first attempt at a video review. The review goes into a little depth on the camera and I hope that if you are currently sitting on the fence, that this Kodak Zi6 Review will help you make a decision. If you have any trouble viewing the video below, here is a link to the same video on YouTube. Kodak Zi6 Review.

Ok everybody, wake up, the video just stopped. LOL! I hope you are still awake. Here is direct link to the Zi6 on Amazon. It is my affiliate link and if you make a purchase, I’ll make a couple of bucks and it helps to support this site. Kodak Zi6 HD Pocket Video Camera on Amazon

I want to show you an example of when I grabbed my camera just in case I could shoot a video and post it to my hyperlocal blog. A while back, a brand new IKEA Store opened in Charlotte, N.C. I live on the outskirts of Charlotte and for months, the news of this store was all the rage in my area. I’m a guy, I don’t understand these things but that’s ok. I understand taking a club, killing my food and cooking it over fire, that’s it. Shortly after it opened, my wife informed me that I would be accompanying her to the store for a glorious afternoon of hand holding and shopping. Oh please…kill me now I thought.

I went with a smile on my face. I grabbed my trusty little Kodak Zi6 (notice the bold-faced keyword for SEO purposes) and headed for Charlotte. I hate to admit this, but I had a great afternoon of hand holding with my wife and the store was cool as hell. We even ate dinner at the store. The Swedish Meatball Specialty they served were enough for me to break at least 2 commandments. It’s the biggest single store I’ve ever been in. The Swedes make awesome furniture and right now, I’m typing this blog article on a desk that I went back to IKEA and bought. So much for my caveman exterior I try to keep. Check out the video below and see how I turned a shopping trip into an article for my hyperlocal blog.

I shot this video realizing that my target audience would most likely be the ladies. Most guys are not shoppers. I think it’s important when you shoot a hyperlocal video, try to understand who will most likely be watching the video the most. If you notice in the video, I stop talking at one point and try to shoot the tour to give an idea of what you can expect to see when you visit.

The store is located in Charlotte and not necessarily hyperlocal to my community. However, everyone in my community was buzzing about this store for months. Here is a link to the article that appeared on Monroe Scoop. It was a great article and video for my blog. Here is the gravy. In my area, when I type into Google, IKEA Store Charlotte NC I usually find myself on the first or second page. I have been in the #1 spot many times when I check. As I write this article, I’m sitting on #13 in Google in my area. This article and video has sent my blog a lot of traffic and continues to do so.

Never miss an opportunity to post a hyperlocal video or article. Sometimes when you least expect it, an opportunity presents itself. Make sure you add some sort of video camera to your tool kit. Take it everywhere you go. Please tell me how you use video on your hyperlocal blog. I am very interested in hearing about it and I’m sure you would be helping the readers of Bloggerlens.

Here is a free download of the song I used in the IKEA video. “Shopping” by Bare Naked Ladies. Be my guest to download and put it in your own hyperlocal video if you get an opportunity. Review a local store and drop it in your video.

[display_podcast]

If you are considering starting a hyperlocal blog in your area, don’t forget my free offer to help you get set up and going. It’s never too soon to start.

Copyright 2009 bloggerlens.com Hyperlocal Blogs & Citizen Journalism

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Is it expensive to become a hyperlocal blogger? I probably can’t afford it even if I want to start my own community site. The first answer is NO! You probably already have what you need to start hyperlocal blogging. Your biggest expense will be your time. Time is valuable and you success will somewhat depend upon the time you are willing to devote to your site.

Do you have a computer? Do you have internet [...]]]>

Is it expensive to become a hyperlocal blogger? I probably can’t afford it even if I want to start my own community site. The first answer is NO! You probably already have what you need to start hyperlocal blogging. Your biggest expense will be your time. Time is valuable and you success will somewhat depend upon the time you are willing to devote to your site.

Do you have a computer? Do you have internet access? If you are reading this article, the answer is yes. I’m happy to say that I was able to become a hyperlocal blogger with the tools and equipment I already owned.

I use an Apple MacBookPro with a 17″ monitor.

I made a decision almost 2 years ago to switch from PC to Mac. Personally, it was the best technical decision I’ve ever made. I would never go back. If you are going to work with graphics and video, you may want to consider the Mac.

Woo Themes offers highly customizable WordPress themes for as low as $70. Their themes are awesome and so is their support. Someone just beginning would be well advised to use Woo Themes because of their support and forums.

I bought a $10 domain name from bluehost.com. In addition to my domain name, I purchased my web hosting package from bluehost also. They have several packages to choose from. The web hosting package I chose was around $107 for 12 months. You can add as many domain names that you want to the same hosting account and unlimited hosting storage. I’m extremely happy with Bluehost and I recommend to everyone. Read my article about how to get my free wordpress setup when you use bluehost.com.

I use bluehost.com to host all of my web sites, including this one.

An absolute must is a digital camera. I would expect that you already own one. If your digital camera shoots video, thats great too. I own a digital camera, a Kodak Zi6 flip camera and also a Canon XH A1 prosumer HD video camera. I’m almost tempted to say that a digital video camera is a must. It’s not really, but if you want to elevate your site with more features, you must add video. I recommend the Kodak Zi6 HD Flip Camera. I love using this little gadget and I never leave home without it. They can easily be purchased for $150 or less. I bought mine at Wal-Mart. The Zi6 takes awesome HD video and 2 megapixel still shots.

I use the Kodak Zi6 HD Flip Camera.

I would consider these tools as a minimum to start a hyperlocal community site. It’s not very expensive and as I said at the beginning of this article, you may already have everything you need to start your own site. I always use free stuff whenever possible, but if you have these tools above, you are ready to start. You are officially armed with the tools of a Hyperlocal Blogger.

Copyright 2009 bloggerlens.com Hyperlocal Blogging and Citizen Journalism

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