Local Newsletter Insider

Nick “NoHo Nick” Roberts joins TJ to share the operating system behind his San Fernando Valley newsletter: organic growth, consistent social video, and community-first curation. He compares TikTok vs. Instagram, explains why he edits inside TikTok for speed, and shows how he slices one newsletter into multiple neighborhood-specific posts to find what the algorithm favors.You’ll hear how collaborator posts expand reach, why reposting your “who I am and why subscribe” message actually works, and how replying to great comments with short videos creates a built-in testimonial engine. They also cover list quality vs. scale, why manual posting still makes sense, and how print’s “hold it in your hand” effect shapes local buyer psychology.Finally, Nick and TJ dig into revenue: hitting break-even, setting rates when buyers don’t ask for CTR, and practical plays like co-branded tours, pop-up headshot days, and premium real-estate features. Actionable, specific, and tailor-made for local operators.Guest contact info: Nick RobertsWebsite: nohonick.comEmail: hi@nohonick.comSocials: @nohonick (TikTok, Instagram, etc.).#LocalNewsletter #AudienceGrowth #TikTokMarketing #InstagramCollab #EmailMarketing #LocalMedia #ContentRepurposing #Bootstrapped #RealEstateMarketing #SanFernandoValley

Creators and local newsletter operators want in-person connection without the headache of planning events. In this episode, Rae Lambert shares how DNNR (pronounced “dinner”) turns audiences into white-labeled dinner clubs with zero heavy lifting. Listeners learn how personality quizzes, AI matching, and day-of restaurant reveals create table groups of six and a post-dinner meetup that brings multiple tables together.Rae explains pricing (commonly a $16 seat, food not included), how DNNR handles reservations and communications, and why this model beats traditional pop-up dinners or host-centric meetups. She walks through real examples—from a small New England podcast filling seven tables on launch to multi-city founder networks segmenting investors, founders, and service providers—plus smart ways to group parents, business owners, and more without fragmenting your funnel.Key takeaways: keep top-of-funnel broad, let matching do the segmenting, aim for three or more tables to power a lively after-party, and lead with value to keep service-provider “pitchiness” from derailing community quality. We also cover why local IRL connection is rising in the AI era and how this becomes both a monetization and growth engine.Guest contact & links: Rae Lambert • DNNR https://dnnr.io#CommunityBuilding #LocalNewsletters #CreatorEconomy #DinnerClub #AudienceMonetization #IRLEvents #AIMatching #LocalBusiness #Meetups #DNNR

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.

Ashlyn Brooks, founder of the Houston-area newsletter Cypress Digest, shares her journey from civil engineering to building a thriving local media business. She reveals how a simple Facebook Lead Ad strategy netted her 75 advertiser leads for just $60. Ashlyn discusses her innovative use of a Vercel directory as a low-cost onboarding tool for small businesses and highlights effective sales tactics like pitching outcomes and leveraging local SEO services. Her insights on competing with larger media outlets emphasize the power of speed and personalization in local publishing.

John Apolinar, founder of Scottsdale Scoop, shares his expert insights on blending local newsletters with in-person events. He reveals how his first paid happy hour attracted over 37 signups and secured sponsorships with the venue covered. John discusses effective Instagram strategies, emphasizing engaging green-screen videos and carousel posts. He also dives into cold email tactics using SmartLead, targeting high-value local advertisers for better conversion. With candid discussions on monetization and community building, his approach is a playbook for aspiring newsletter creators.

Jacob Espinoza, a local media operator behind What's Happening Salem, shares insights on growing city-focused podcasts and social media presence. He reveals the challenges of monetization and highlights the power of networking through interviews. Jacob discusses inventive strategies like repurposing content for newsletters and utilizing evening sends for higher engagement. He also explains how to balance sponsored content with value-driven posts and the significance of engaging storytelling in local media, providing practical tips for budding creators.

In this engaging discussion, Paul Gewuerz, founder of LocalPod and expert in transforming written stories into captivating audio, shares innovative strategies to elevate local journalism. He introduces the 'news blast' format, combining short 8–12 minute podcasts with quick ad breaks. Paul emphasizes the power of AI-driven production and geo-targeted audio ads, which can effectively reach local audiences. With insights on adapting legacy media and the importance of modernizing newsletters, he offers a roadmap for thriving in the evolving local media landscape.

Nathan May, founder of The Feed Media and author of the Newsletter Growth Memo, dives into the art of scaling newsletters in 2025. He emphasizes the importance of disciplined paid acquisition on Meta and creative strategies that address real reader problems. The conversation highlights the value of niche targeting, local business engagement, and innovative ad concepts sourced from community feedback. Nathan also tackles the role of AI in content curation and the crucial need for video to stand out in an AI-driven landscape.

Tim Stoddart, a savvy entrepreneur known for his expertise in local SEO and directories, shares his journey from sobriety blogging to building successful media assets. He emphasizes the power of authenticity and consistency in creating high-margin local businesses. Tim breaks down the synergy between local newsletters and agencies, simplifying how to package services effectively. He also discusses why local intent remains a strong defense against AI disruption and the increasing value of community engagement in today’s digital world.

In this episode, TJ sits down again with Jas from Winnipeg Digest to talk about the latest experiments and strategies in local newsletter publishing. They discuss the upcoming Business of Local conference in Salt Lake City, the pros and cons of cash giveaways, and the importance of building trust with your audience instead of chasing vanity metrics.Jas shares updates on his community-building efforts, from coffee parties to launching Digest Lights, a holiday lights installation business born out of his newsletter audience. He explains how a giveaway generated hundreds of qualified leads, his sales process for closing $2,500+ projects, and why retention in seasonal services is so valuable.The conversation also dives into social media strategy, comparing reels and carousels, outbound ad sales systems, and welcome email sequences that actually drive engagement. Whether you’re running a newsletter or exploring new business ideas, this episode is packed with practical lessons from the trenches.Connect with Jas on Twitter: https://twitter.com/jas #LocalNewsletters #NewsletterGrowth #CommunityBuilding #WinnipegDigest #DigitalMedia #SmallBusinessGrowth #EmailMarketing #LocalMedia #Entrepreneurship #ContentStrategy