Philly.com to Crowdsource New Hyperlocal Main Line Site. Launched Friday, Philly.com is taking a unique (and frankly, smart) approach to reporting local news. Philly Neighbors, which will provide more coverage of the Main Line (and could compete with Patch.com’s coverage in Ardmore, Merion and Wynnewood), will have two dedicated reporters (@smashleynguyen and @joshdfernandez) “writing their stories from coffee shops and shaking as many hands as possible.”

In addition, Philly.com recognizes that they can’t cover everything, so they’re aggregating relevant content from around the web and encouraging citizen journalists and everyday people to contribute. “Consider yourself permanently invited to share your knowledge,” says the welcome letter, written by The20’s @bydanielvictor which also explains the editorial concept behind the program.

This is not the first local news entity to try hyperlocal. WHYY launched a $1.2 million initiative last April to expand their coverage in the Northwest portion of the city. WHYY shared many of their early lessons, both good and bad, at the September Online News Association Meetup (detailed here by The20’s @christopherwink).

What do you think of Philly Neighbors Main Line? Find out more from Nguyen tonight on NBC 10 News at 5 p.m.

-LD
[Philly Neighbors, Ardmore Patch, @bydanielvictor, WHYY, @christopherwink]
Photo: Philly.com/neighbors