Local Media HQ The Creator-Led Model for Local Newsletters
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Jan 9, 2026 Amy Vartenuk, the creative force behind Clevelandish, shares her journey from home staging to running a vibrant local newsletter focused on community positivity. She discusses how her hybrid funding model supports independence while creating a unique editorial voice. Insights on engaging readers through polling and personalized storytelling illustrate her creator-led approach, which thrives in an AI era. Amy reveals effective strategies for subscriber growth and advertiser outreach, emphasizing sustainability and the importance of choosing the right partners for long-term success.
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Founder-Style Role Backed By A Local Owner
- Amy was hired to run Clevelandish but the project is funded by local entrepreneur John, so she operates like a founder.
- That hybrid model gave rapid resources and allowed Amy to focus full-time on building the brand.
Scale Without Losing Engagement
- Clevelandish reached 33,000 email subscribers and kept high open and click rates as it scaled.
- Growth paired with strong engagement shows paid acquisition can scale without killing newsletter performance.
Let Reader Data Shape Your Voice
- Polling readers drove the editorial pivot toward personal, opinionated content.
- Readers preferred personality and locality over generic event listings, shaping Clevelandish's voice.