New Tricks: Use Trendsmap to discover local Twitter trends

September 25th, 2009

I recently found out about a new tool, Trendsmap, that tracks and visually organizes local Twitter trends.

Finally, a service for breaking news reporters to not only find what one’s local digital community is talking about in real time, but who’s talking about it.

For instance, once I moved over to my region, I found conversations about

• Fog in the city’s western suburbs
• Milton Bradley, a baseball player currently on the Chicago Cubs
• I Fight Dragons, a local band
• Buzz about the Chicago Tribune’s look inside Trump Tower’s 92nd floor penthouse

You can even drill down further into more of the city’s trends, like so:

Screenshot of Chicago Twitter trends (via Trendsmap)

Trendsmap is still in development, it seems. For now, the page defaults to a Los Angeles “home” region. (This can easily be worked around.) Also, not every region is included in the trends; only major metropolitan areas.

Regardless, I’ll be keeping an eye on Trendsmap, and reporters should as well. Through the tool, you’ll be able to find sources and build your readership with key influencers who drive the local news conversation.

Here’s a quick demo video from Trendsmap:

– Daniel B. Honigman

Entry Filed under: General, Management Issues, New Tricks, Twitter, social media