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Hi newsletter operators!
Local newsletters are starting to get more and more attention from people. Specifically SMB owners, rightfully so.
I got mentioned on a big home service podcast and got multiple SMB owners reaching out wanting to start their own.
Just confirmation for me that we’re on the right track, building something that will have significant long term value, if done correctly.
After last issue’s convo about green screen Instagram videos, have any of you started doing it? Please let me know if so. I know John from Scottsdale Scoop did one and it did quite well. Excited to hear more success stories about this.
Finally, would love to have more of my readers on the podcast! Reply to this and let me know if you want to come on the show.
Your newsletter looks like a high school project.
Local newsletters can make $50K-$200K per year. But only if you take them seriously.
Kabir's team designed this newsletter, San Mateo Scoop and Inside Noida. They know the formula: clean branding + professional layout = readers who pay premium ad rates.
Most local newsletters have great content, then slap it into generic templates or Canva designs. Wrong move. Design is your credibility.
The math: Better design = higher open rates = premium pricing = more revenue.
My audience gets 15% off first three projects.
Ready to look legit? Hit up Kabir at TheNewsletterAgency.com
Stop looking like a hobby. Start looking like a business.
Louis Nicholls - How to Monetize Subscribers in the First Seven Days
Loved this chat with Louis about monetization. He has some killer ideas and insights on how us local newsletter creators should be thinking about monetizing our subscribers immediately instead of over a 6-12 month span. Not easy, but definitely doable if you really push on sales. If anyone has done this, please reply and let me know!
Top Four Takeaways
SparkLoop and Paid Recommendations:
Sparkloop allows you to recommend to your new subscribers other newsletters they may enjoy. And if they subscribe to them, and engage, you get paid. Unfortunately I don’t think it works as well for local as it does for b2b newsletters, but it still does work. I plan on setting up and trying again, because at $400 a day, even getting an average of 10cents would still be close to $100 a day back.
Zero-Day Payback Period:
The ultimate goal is to achieve a "zero-day payback period," which means I earn back the cost of acquiring a new subscriber almost instantly. By doing this, I can essentially scale my newsletter's growth for free, with my only limit being the size of my credit card's credit line.
Combining Monetization Strategies:
Combine three different monetization methods on my sign-up confirmation page to maximize revenue. Louis successfully stacked paid recommendations, a heavily discounted "tripwire" product offer, and lead generation deals for other brands. More difficult to pull off in local due to having to sell to local businesses, but absolutely can be done, and possibly more lucrative for us if done well.
Post-Opt-in Monetization for Local Newsletters:
This got me thinking about potentially changing up my flow from when people subscribe. Currently we send them to a detailed survey, but might make more sense to ask a dead simple survey, more like a quiz, then show them multiple offers immediately. This is when they’re most engaged, so could work very well.
LetterLand Podcast - Overview of Local Newsletter opportunity
I went on Louis’ show at the same time he did mine. But they’re two totally different discussions. This one is more broad, high level view of the space, who should start one, what is the long term potential, things like that. Highly recommend this on over the one above if you’re new or just wanting to enter the space.
Top Four Takeaways
Realistic Revenue and Longevity:
Building a local newsletter can be quite profitable. But it’s a long-term play that requires significant dedication and time invested (not to mention money) to see a real payoff.
Ideal Candidates for Starting a Local Newsletter:
I think the best candidates to start a local newsletter are often existing business owners, like realtors, home service biz owners, insurance brokers, etc who can use it to build community trust and sell their own local products/services.
Content Strategy: Go Broad, Not Niche:
Even if you’re interested in a specific local niche, it’s better to build a general local newsletter that covers everything people care about locally. You want the broadest audience possible since you’re already massively constrained due to location.
Monetization Beyond Direct Ads:
You should sell ads, and should make money from them when you big enough. But if you also are able to sell your own products and services, it makes the opportunity much bigger and better for the long term. A high LTV local business is the best way to do this. If you don’t have one, start one! Or at least have a plan to.
The Newsletter Growth Playbook: $50K to $2.5M in 12 Months
Interesting piece here from big time newsletter guy about exactly how he’d launch a daily newsletter. Not local specific, but some good info with financials broken down. Worth a read for sure.
Read it here.
Social Media Creators to Overtake Tradition Media in Ad Revenue
This spells out the value of being an “influencer” in your local community and how valuable that is becoming. Be omnichannel!!
Read it here.
Looking for more from me? Here are the ways I can help:
🎙️ The Podcast - Deep-dive conversations with successful newsletter operators sharing their playbooks and lessons learned | Link
📧 This Newsletter - Quick, actionable tips delivered straight to your inbox every week | Link
🧠 1:1 Consulting - Personalized guidance tailored to your specific newsletter challenges Link
🚀 Launch Accelerator - A structured program to help you go from idea to profitable newsletter in record time | Link
🎨 Custom Newsletter Design - If you want your newsletter to have a 100% custom design and look as good as this one, check them out | Link
🔗Sign Up for Beehiiv - Use my link, because you’re a thoughtful person who wants to help others succeed. And it’ll save you 20%, so just be selfish and do it | Link
Discover all these resources and more at localnewsletterinsider.com
That’s all I got for this issue. If there’s anything you want me to cover or talk about for the next edition, reply to this and let me know!
And reply and let me know if you want to be a guest on the show. Just tell me what you’re up to, and assuming you’re a good fit, I’ll have you on (if you’re reading this, you’re most likely a good fit).
How'd I do?
Thanks for reading Local Newsletter Insider! Please reply and let me know what you think, or anything you think I could do better. Love to get some actionable feedback.
