Local Newsletter Insider $29 Memberships + Paid Events = Success
Sep 26, 2025
Justin Gordon, founder of LA Grind, shares insights on building a vibrant local newsletter community focused on founders and investors. He discusses how he gained over 5,200 subscribers quickly through smart advertising and event strategies. Justin reveals his successful monetization tactics, including $29/month memberships offering curated events and leveraging sponsor partnerships. He emphasizes low-lift event formats, like hikes and mixers, to foster connections. Plus, he explores future expansion plans and innovative revenue opportunities through job postings and deeper local engagement.
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Local Newsletter As A Community Hub
- Justin Gordon built LA Grind as a local startup newsletter mixing events, deals, jobs, and lifestyle picks for founders, operators, and investors.
- He frames it as a curated single destination for LA startup community events and content.
Invest In Paid Ads Early
- Use Meta ads plus LinkedIn and event flywheels to scale local newsletter subscribers quickly.
- Start paid ads early and expect higher CAC for niche high-value audiences but higher lifetime value.
CAC Is Worth It When LTV Is High
- Justin pays roughly $1–$1.50 per subscriber and treats that as acceptable given subscriber lifetime value and event attendance.
- He prioritizes long-term value over obsessing with CAC optimization early on.