Yes there is a lot of truth to this. But you'll need more than just "so and so in your area uses it." in the sense tho that there has to be a local connection,

Yes there is a lot of truth to this. But you'll need more than just "so and so in your area uses it." in the sense tho that there has to be a local connection, you're right. But like I said before, there has to be a good STORY behind the pitch for coverage. National Tech news blogs are a little different. They're going to focus on products and services. Local news outlets want stories the readers will like. (after all, we're in the game to keep readers, which is the bread and butter for our advertising rates). Edit, now if your idea has a local business angle, pitch it as a business story. Also, logical moron above has excellent advice. I wholeheartedly echo his point number 6, the one about phrasing (I think it was 6)