Why This Local Publisher Is Quoting $50K Sponsorship Deals

Most newsletter publishers are nervous to quote $5,000 for a campaign.

John Apolinar is thinking $25,000 to $50,000. And he’s not bluffing.

He’s got a framework. He’s got the pitch. And he’s going after high-value local businesses that can afford it — and will actually benefit from it.

Let’s talk about how to structure a high-ticket sponsorship package and sell it with confidence.

Start Small, Then Upsell Big

John’s not walking into his first meeting and dropping a $50K price tag. That’d scare anyone off.

Instead, he starts with a “starter package” — three newsletter ads and a social post for about $1,000. It’s enough for the sponsor to get a feel for the audience and see real clicks.

If that works, that’s when he goes big.

The upsell is a 12-month exclusive sponsorship, with recurring posts and high visibility — and a promise that no other competitor will be featured during that term.

That exclusivity? Pure gold.

The Power of Exclusivity

Exclusivity isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a serious value driver.

When TJ mentioned offering exclusive sponsorships, John shared how one marketer lit up at the idea. Most publishers don’t offer that — so it instantly stands out.

And for a luxury home builder or med spa, being the only one in your category? That’s massive.

Especially when one client could bring in 10x the cost of the ad deal.

Sweetening the Deal with Growth Guarantees

John takes it one step further.

As part of his high-ticket sponsorships, he promises to reinvest part of the payment into paid growth (like Facebook ads). He’ll use that money to bring in new subscribers every month — ensuring sponsors are constantly getting fresh eyeballs.

It's not just a newsletter ad anymore. It's a scalable brand awareness engine.

He’s turning a constraint (limited ad space) into a feature: “We can only take one of you — and you’ll get the whole spotlight.”

Think Like a B2B Seller

John’s edge? He sells B2B newsletters for a living.

So he brings that mindset into the local game. He’s not afraid to pitch bigger, frame deals like partnerships, and build long-term value with sponsors.

His advice: don’t sell to owners who do their own marketing. Find the businesses with real teams and budgets. Then pitch them like a pro.

Final Thoughts

You don’t need a huge audience to land big deals.

You need a strong offer, smart framing, and the guts to go bigger than $200 ads.

Test small. Prove value. Then go all in with exclusivity, recurring visibility, and growth on autopilot.

It’s not about what it costs. It’s about what it’s worth.

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