Local Newsletter Insider

TJ welcomes Alec Kremins, Beehive's Partnership Manager and founder of the JLM Scoop, a local Jerusalem newsletter with nearly 6,000 subscribers. Alec shares his journey of starting the newsletter while onboarding at Beehive, how he validated the idea in a new city, and why local newsletters can open doors—even beyond revenue. From sponsor negotiations to delegation and audience building, this episode is packed with real-world tactics.Alec offers deep insight into his monetization strategy, explaining how he secures sponsors like a real estate firm, manages a lean operation with freelance help, and focuses on sustainable growth. He also reflects on the limits of local newsletter revenue when treated as a side hustle and explains why ownership and strategic partnerships are crucial.Tune in for ideas on expanding into lead gen, launching agency services, testing audience segmentation for monetization, and even using newsletters to support local matchmaking and events.Reach Alec at:🔗 Website: beehive.com/partners💬 LinkedIn: Alec Kremins🐦 Twitter/X: @AlecKrem#LocalNewsletter#NewsletterGrowth#BeehiveNewsletters#MonetizeYourNewsletter#EmailMarketing#JerusalemStartups#SideHustleSuccess#ContentMarketing#NewsletterTips#DigitalEntrepreneur

Struggling with newsletter revenue? Discover how to transform your audience into profit with face-to-face AI workshops. Dive into innovative strategies that enhance reader engagement, like unique local content and partnership opportunities. Learn efficient ways to teach ChatGPT basics while building relationships that pave the way for future business. Plus, get tips on designing eye-catching marketing materials using AI. It's all about starting small and leveraging the trust you've earned!

John Apolinar, the founder of the Scottsdale Scoop newsletter, shares insights on growing local media through Instagram DMs and Chamber of Commerce networking. He reveals his tailored DM approach for targeting high-ticket businesses, emphasizing authentic relationship-building at events. John discusses the advantages of exclusive advertising deals and suggests launching a podcast to attract sponsors. He also highlights the importance of subscriber milestones and follow-ups to enhance sales, while stressing that human connections are essential for breaking local news.

In this episode, TJ Larkin is joined once again by Landon from Wichita Life—a returning guest and a pioneer in the local newsletter space. They dive deep into the operational side of running a successful local media business, including ad placement strategies, pricing models, and campaign management using simple tools like Google Sheets.Landon shares his evolution from an Instagram account to a full-fledged media brand with 30,000 email subscribers and multiple recurring sponsors like the City of Wichita. He breaks down how he sells primary, secondary, and baseline ads, how he prices them, and how he juggles ad slots across four weekly newsletters.He also details the process of launching a job board using Niceboard and how it contributes passive income while requiring minimal overhead. Plus, they talk event strategy—from annual meetups to innovative concepts like "Pitch a Friend" dating events—all aimed at increasing community engagement and brand visibility.Contact Landon / Wichita Life:Website: wichitalifeict.comJob Board: jobs.wichitalifeict.comInstagram: @wichitalifeict#NewsletterBusiness#LocalMedia#WichitaLife#CreatorEconomy#EmailMarketing#DigitalAds#JobBoard#CommunityEvents#MediaMonetization#ContentCreation

Kyle Scott, a local media veteran and entrepreneur known for founding Crossing Broad and the Buying Sandlot newsletter, shares insights on transforming passion into profit. He discusses how a humble beach-town newsletter grew to 17,000 subscribers, emphasizing the importance of owning your audience. Scott highlights strategies like savvy social media marketing, diversifying income sources, and the role of AI in content creation. He also underscores the value of community engagement and the benefits of in-person connections for authentic storytelling.

Explore the innovative negative CAC model that could transform local newsletter monetization. Discover how strategic onboarding emails can yield profits exceeding subscriber acquisition costs within just a week. Hear about real-life examples like med spas, where high-value offers can effectively turn a profit. Learn why providing value upfront is crucial, and how targeting specific demographics can enhance engagement. With practical advice on segmentation and automation, this approach opens new avenues for growth and scaling.

TJ Larkin interviews Ethan Realander about his journey from finance to entrepreneurship through his Rolling Suds power washing franchise and Westchester Weekly newsletter. Ethan shares how he's acquiring subscribers for just 20-25 cents each and his vision for creating multiple revenue streams through these complementary businesses.The conversation covers newsletter design, content creation, and community engagement strategies. Ethan explains how he's building a team while TJ provides advice on advertising, networking, and scaling subscriber acquisition. Key takeaways include starting before you're "ready" and how local newsletters can serve as powerful marketing channels for related businesses.Connect with Ethan Realander at Westchester Weekly or through his Rolling Suds franchise in Westchester County, NY and Fairfield County, CT.#LocalNewsletter#SmallBusinessGrowth#ContentMarketing#Entrepreneurship#FranchiseOwnership#LocalMedia#NewsletterStrategy#EmailMarketing#CommunityBuilding#BusinessNetworking

TJ Larkin interviews Phat Chiem, founder of The 518 newsletter serving Albany, NY. With a background from the Chicago Tribune and Yahoo, Phat combines professional journalism with content curation, creating original stories alongside local event listings. This approach built 2,300+ subscribers in one year without significant ad spend.The 518's distinct branding draws on Albany's history, improving engagement and reducing acquisition costs. Phat shares growth tactics including leveraging Reddit communities, bartering with local businesses, and creating partnerships with events like First Friday Albany to build brand legitimacy.The conversation explores monetization beyond traditional ads, including creative sponsorships and content collaborations that support other business ventures. Phat discusses how his marketing agency, StoryCraft, benefits from the newsletter's audience and outlines plans for expansion into events, podcasting, and niche newsletters.Connect with Phat Chiem on Twitter @phatxchiem or at the518.com. Phat and his wife run StoryCraft, a boutique marketing firm specializing in content creation and brand storytelling.#LocalJournalism #NewsletterBusiness #CommunityMedia #ContentCreation #LocalMarketing #MediaEntrepreneur #Newsletters #LocalBranding #AlbanyNY #HyperlocalNews

TJ Larkin interviews Phat Chiem, founder of The 518 newsletter serving Albany, NY. With a background from the Chicago Tribune and Yahoo, Phat combines professional journalism with content curation, creating original stories alongside local event listings. This approach built 2,300+ subscribers in one year without significant ad spend.The 518's distinct branding draws on Albany's history, improving engagement and reducing acquisition costs. Phat shares growth tactics including leveraging Reddit communities, bartering with local businesses, and creating partnerships with events like First Friday Albany to build brand legitimacy.The conversation explores monetization beyond traditional ads, including creative sponsorships and content collaborations that support other business ventures. Phat discusses how his marketing agency, StoryCraft, benefits from the newsletter's audience and outlines plans for expansion into events, podcasting, and niche newsletters.Connect with Phat Chiem on Twitter @phatxchiem or at the518.com. Phat and his wife run StoryCraft, a boutique marketing firm specializing in content creation and brand storytelling.#LocalJournalism #NewsletterBusiness #CommunityMedia #ContentCreation #LocalMarketing #MediaEntrepreneur #Newsletters #LocalBranding #AlbanyNY #HyperlocalNews

Jas Singh, founder of the Winnipeg Digest, shares his insights after successfully growing his local media business to 25,000 email subscribers and 60,000 social media followers in just a year. He discusses the critical role of Instagram reels and landing page optimizations that cut subscriber costs by half. Jas explains innovative monetization strategies, including exclusive advertising packages and community event partnerships. He highlights the importance of engaging local audiences and leveraging giveaways for rapid growth. Follow him for more tips on local media success!