In the crowded landscape of local newsletters, finding your competitive edge isn't just nice-to-have – it's essential for survival. While most local newsletter operators focus solely on curation, those with journalism backgrounds are discovering they possess a powerful advantage that's difficult for competitors to replicate.
Phat Chiem of The 518, a newsletter serving New York's Albany capital region, has leveraged his journalism background to create what he calls a "competitive moat" around his publication.
"If you don't have the talent or you don't have the writing ability, then you're gonna need to hire for it. And that's expensive," Chiem explains. His background at the Chicago Tribune and as an editor at Yahoo has equipped him with content creation skills that set his newsletter apart in a meaningful way.
The approach is straightforward but effective. While The 518 includes the standard event listings and curated local content that readers expect, each edition also features an original reported piece. These stories range from local personality profiles to business features or reporting on local issues – content that requires actual journalism skills.
This hybrid model addresses a critical gap in local media markets. As traditional newspapers continue their decline across America, creating what some call "news deserts," readers are hungry for thoughtful local reporting that cuts through the noise.
"People want their local news without crime, without a lot of politics, without a lot of ads," Chiem notes. "They want a place where they can look for great events without being bombarded with advertising."
What makes this approach particularly valuable is its difficulty to replicate. When new competitors inevitably emerge in your market, they'll struggle to match the quality of original reporting if they lack journalism skills. This creates natural protection for your newsletter's value proposition.
We're already seeing larger newsletter companies recognize this advantage. The 6 A.M. City network has embraced journalism-focused content, while Canadian publications like The Lookout newsletters in Vancouver and Ontario have gone even further, with fully reported newsletters requiring multiple staff writers.
For newsletter operators without journalism backgrounds, this doesn't mean you can't create a similar moat. The broader lesson is identifying what unique skills or assets you bring to the table that others can't easily duplicate. Perhaps it's video production expertise, data analysis capabilities, or deep connections within specific community groups.
The key is recognizing that quality original content – whatever form it takes – creates value that artificial intelligence and out-of-town entrepreneurs simply cannot match. Whether it's written journalism, social media content, or community videos, producing something unique to your community creates that protective moat around your business.
As more newsletters populate the local media landscape, those with distinctive, hard-to-replicate content offerings will stand apart from the crowd. The question for every newsletter operator becomes: what's your moat?
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