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Estimated from 1 chart position in 1 market.
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- 🇦🇹AT · Entrepreneurship#823K to 10K
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Est. listeners per new episode within ~30 days
1.5K to 5K🎙 ~2x weekly·71 episodes·Last published 4w ago - Monthly Reach
Unique listeners across all episodes (30 days)
3K to 10K🇦🇹100% - Active Followers
Loyal subscribers who consistently listen
1.2K to 4K
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On the show
Recent episodes
How to Create 3 Monetization Buckets as a Local Media Brand
May 26, 2026
Unknown duration
Why AI is a Boon for Local Media
May 20, 2026
Unknown duration
Monetizing Local Media Without Traditional Outbound Sales
May 6, 2026
Unknown duration
Navigating the Local Creator Economy
Apr 29, 2026
Unknown duration
Monetizing your Local Newsletter on-boarding flow
Apr 24, 2026
Unknown duration
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| Date | Episode | Description | Length | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5/26/26 | How to Create 3 Monetization Buckets as a Local Media Brand | In this episode, TJ Larkin sits down with Ethan Brooks, founder of the Austin Business Review, to explore the mechanics of building a successful local media company. Drawing on his background as an editorial writer at The Hustle and a founding team member at Hampton, Ethan breaks down why scaling to multiple cities isn't the only path to a multi-million dollar media business. The conversation sheds light on why a deep, hyper-local focus can build massive authority and out-earn traditional ad-supported national models.Ethan shares the exact framework he used to replace his corporate six-figure salary within nine months of launching his local newsletter, shifting the focus from ad space sales to local consulting services. He walks through the "newsletter engine" model, which is a clear, three-part monetization blueprint consisting of free distribution, front-end entry products, and high-ticket back-end services. This breakdown illustrates how an audience of local business owners can yield significantly higher value per reader than traditional display advertising.Viewers will walk away with actionable advice on mapping out their own free, front-end, and back-end offerings to ensure robust business operations. Ethan explains how data on founder lifestyles reveals that business owners often overestimate the capital required to achieve financial independence, meaning localized operations are fully capable of funding a dream lifestyle. The episode provides a clear blueprint for entrepreneurs looking to build sustainable, deeply rooted media brands right in their own hometowns.To get in touch with Ethan Brooks or subscribe to his local business newsletter, visit the Austin Business Review website at austinbusinessreview.com or connect with him directly on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/ethanbrooks.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #NewsletterStrategy #AustinBusinessReview #MediaMonetization #TheHustle #CommunityBuilding #BusinessGrowth #FounderMindset #Entrepreneurship #HyperLocal | — | ||||||
| 5/20/26 | Why AI is a Boon for Local Media | In this episode of the Local Media HQ show, host TJ Larkin sits down with Paul Gewuerz, founder of LocalPod and creator of LocalPod Studio. The conversation focuses on the modern intersection of AI technology and the legacy local media landscape. They discuss how traditional media companies are adapting to a rapidly changing digital ecosystem, the shifting dynamics of audience trust, and how new operational models can help older local brands survive.The duo shares insights into how artificial intelligence is changing operational workflows overnight, moving from simple assistance to comprehensive design and development capabilities. Paul breaks down how mission-driven career journalists are navigating the tension between investigative storytelling and the commercial realities of running a business. They highlight real-world success stories, including publishers using AI to run multiple publications and large legacy brands leveraging advanced coding setups to stay ahead of the technical curve.The key takeaway is that AI shouldn't be viewed as a threat to local journalism, but rather as an operational "lightsaber" that handles tedious backend tasks. By reducing time spent on administrative duties like database sorting, bookkeeping, and formatting, media teams can dedicate 100% of their energy to high-value reporting and community relationships. This creates a highly efficient business model where proprietary, ground-level local news remains irreplaceable by big tech models.To connect with Paul Gewuerz, learn more about his insights on local media, or try out his platform, visit the LocalPod website at localpod.co or email him directly at paul@localpod.co. You can also find him on LinkedIn under Paul Gowertz or listen to his podcast "Small Press, Big Ideas" on all major streaming applications. For those interested in utilizing the LocalPod Studio platform, Paul offers a 20% discount on the first month using the promo code TJ20 at checkout.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #Journalism #ArtificialIntelligence #Podcasting #Newsletters #MediaBusiness #ContentStrategy #SoftwareDevelopment #LegacyMedia #PaulGewuerz | — | ||||||
| 5/6/26 | Monetizing Local Media Without Traditional Outbound Sales | In this episode, TJ Larkin sits down with Nick Pollock, who transformed a side hustle into a full-time local media business in just 18 months. Nick shares how he grew his two Canadian brands, the Oakville Digest and Burlington Digest, to a combined 28,000 newsletter subscribers and 30,000 Instagram followers. The conversation explores the transition from working in tech sales to managing a local media empire independently.Nick provides a deep dive into his unique monetization strategies, specifically the success he has found with "dinner clubs" that serve as high-leverage, low-effort revenue streams. He also discusses his approach to ad sales, moving away from aggressive outbound tactics to focusing on growth and inbound interest. Listeners will learn how Nick manages ad inventory, including his shift toward selling three- to six-month minimum packages instead of one-off ads.For aspiring media operators, Nick highlights the importance of becoming the most obvious news source in town to gain immediate trust with sponsors. He shares his "collaborator" strategy for Instagram ads, which allows him to partner with small businesses like local pickleball clubs and spas without compromising his brand’s organic feel. The episode concludes with actionable advice on scaling local brands through carousels and potential future expansions into high-ticket events.Guest Contact Information: You can connect with Nick Pollock on LinkedIn. To see his work in action, check out his newsletters at OakvilleDigest.com and BurlingtonDigest.com, or follow @OakvilleDigest and @BurlingtonDigest on Instagram.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #NewsletterStrategy #DigitalMarketing #OakvilleDigest #BurlingtonDigest #SideHustle #CommunityBuilding #InstagramGrowth #AdSales #Entrepreneurship | — | ||||||
| 4/29/26 | Navigating the Local Creator Economy | In this episode, Francis Zierer of Creator Spotlight reveals how he grew a YouTube channel from 16 to over 5,000 subscribers in just two years by reinvesting in high-quality video production and "slick intro clips". He and host TJ Larkin break down why local media remains one of the healthiest business models today, focusing on curated content rather than traditional crime or political reporting. They discuss the value of creating a "curated point of view" in a world saturated with commoditized information.Francis shares insights from his interviews with successful local newsletter owners, discussing how they leverage Meta ads and welcome surveys to package audience data for local advertisers. He highlights the story of Marissa from Boise, who more than doubled her revenue after recognizing she wasn't suited for sales and hiring a professional to handle that side of the business. The discussion also covers the "aura of seriousness" created by professional branding and why treating a newsletter like a newspaper can build trust.Actionable advice from the episode centers on leveraging the authority of an established brand while simultaneously building your own personal presence. Francis emphasizes the need to move past "navel-gazing" by studying successful strategies in adjacent industries rather than just watching direct competitors. He also provides a realistic look at the difficulties of finding the right partners and why being "invested in the problem" is a requirement for a successful creator partnership.Find Francis Zierer at:Website: www.creatorspotlight.comLinkedIn: Francis ZiererBuild your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #NewsletterStrategy #LocalMedia #SparkLoop #NewsletterMonetization #EmailMarketing #LouisNicholls #TJLarkin #DigitalMedia #MediaEntrepreneur #SubscriberGrowth | — | ||||||
| 4/24/26 | Monetizing your Local Newsletter on-boarding flow | In this episode, TJ Larkin interviews Louis Nicholls, the founder of Spark Loop, about a massive untapped opportunity in the newsletter industry: the thank you page. While most local media operators view the moment after a subscription as a dead end, Nicholls explains how this is actually when a subscriber is most engaged and ready for their next step. The core of the discussion centers on transforming this space into a revenue-generating asset that can help newsletter owners immediately recoup their customer acquisition costs.Louis shares a specific three-step framework for post-subscription flows: newsletter recommendations, a welcome survey, and brand offers. He provides examples of how local newsletters can use these steps to recommend "insider" lists for partners or earn through paid recommendations via Spark Loop. By reframing the welcome experience as "completing a profile" rather than "taking a survey," operators can double their completion rates and gather critical data for future sponsor deals.Viewers will walk away with actionable advice on how to use AI enrichment to identify high-value subscribers, such as business owners, without asking dozens of tedious questions. Louis details how these automated systems integrate directly with platforms like Beehive or Kit to segment audiences and trigger personalized follow-ups. This episode is a masterclass in making the first 90 seconds of a subscriber's journey both profitable and engaging.Guest Information: Louis Nicholls is the founder of Spark Loop and host of the Letterland newsletter. You can find more about Spark Loop at sparkloop.app and sign up for his newsletter masterclasses at selffundednewsletters.com.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #Newsletters #LocalMedia #MediaBrands #DylanRedekop #GrowthCurrency #ContentStrategy #CommunityBuilding #EmailMarketing #CreatorEconomy #NicheMarketing | — | ||||||
| 4/20/26 | The Barnacle Strategy for Media Brand Growth | In this episode, TJ Larkin sits down with newsletter expert Dylan Redekop to discuss the evolving landscape of media brands. They explore why major companies like OpenAI and HubSpot are investing millions into established media properties and what this means for independent creators. The conversation centers on the idea that "attention" is the new currency and why building a loyal, engaged audience is more valuable than ever in an AI-driven world.Dylan explains the "Barnacle Strategy," a method for positioning your newsletter or media brand to be an attractive acquisition target for larger SaaS companies. They discuss real-world examples of creators who built niche audiences over several years and successfully exited for millions. Whether you are operating at a national level or focusing on a specific local niche, this episode provides a roadmap for understanding the long-term equity you are building in your audience.The discussion also dives into the unique advantages of local media, where competition is lower and the value per subscriber can often be much higher than in broad national niches. You’ll learn how small-town newsletter operators are leveraging their local influence to acquire and promote adjacent businesses, from high-end rentals to local shops. Dylan and TJ share insights on how to stay relevant by focusing on hyper-local content that people truly care about.Dylan Redekop is the creator of the Growth Currency newsletter and works with Growth in Reverse. You can find his newsletter at growthcurrency.net and connect with him on LinkedIn by searching for his full name, Dylan Redekop.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #Newsletters #LocalMedia #MediaBrands #DylanRedekop #GrowthCurrency #ContentStrategy #CommunityBuilding #EmailMarketing #CreatorEconomy #NicheMarketing | — | ||||||
| 4/17/26 | Scaling a Family-Focused Local Media Brand | In this episode, TJ Larkin interviews Mike Richardson, the founder of Kid Friendly Seattle, a niche local newsletter that has quickly become a go-to resource for families. Mike shares his transition from professional burnout to building a successful media company centered on his life as a father. The discussion covers how he identified a gap in the Seattle market and chose to focus on a hyper-local family niche rather than general news.Mike details specific growth tactics, including "borrowing other people’s audiences" (BOPA) through Instagram collaborations and overcoming a major setback when his Meta ads account was hacked. He explains how he pivotally focused on organic weekend event listings and Instagram content to rebuild his subscriber base to over 4,600 users. Viewers will learn about his unique approach to community engagement and how he balances content creation with parenting.Key takeaways include how to validate a local market by looking at existing advertising spend and the importance of diversification across platforms. Mike also discusses his expansion into "Kid Friendly East Side" to double his potential reach among the region's 600,000 families. This interview provides a practical roadmap for anyone looking to turn a personal passion into a sustainable local media business.Guest Contact Information:You can find Mike Richardson at kidfriendlyseattle.com or follow the community on Instagram @kidfriendlyseattle. Mike is active on LinkedIn for professional inquiries and personally replies to messages and subscriber notes.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.aiSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #KidFriendlySeattle #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #Entrepreneurship #SeattleFamilies #AIsales #NicheMarketing #CommunityBuilding #PassiveIncome #MikeRichardson | — | ||||||
| 4/7/26 | Monetizing local media with upscale events | In this episode, TJ Larkin sits down with Kyra Adams, the founder of Chino Chew, a thriving local newsletter serving the Inland Empire in the suburban part of Los Angeles. Kyra shares her journey of growing a local media brand from just six family members to over 10,000 email subscribers and 10,000 Instagram followers in less than a year. She details her aggressive growth strategies, including how she used Meta Ads to acquire subscribers for as low as 18 cents each to maintain a consistent five-digit audience.Kyra Adams dives into the technical systems that allow her to run Chino Chew sustainably while working a demanding full-time job as a scientist. She explains how she leverages Claude and Make.com to automate time-intensive tasks like scraping local event data from multiple sources and generating organized, formatted content. Kyra even shares a unique "hack" for creating Instagram carousels directly from newsletter bullets using AI, enabling her to stay present on social media with minimal manual effort.The conversation also highlights Kyra’s success in monetizing her community through curated, high-end events such as luxury charcuterie tastings and wine nights. She discusses the strategy of going "up-market" to increase profitability and shares a brilliant "at-the-door" upselling tactic that significantly raised her average ticket price. Viewers will gain actionable insights on building efficient systems, professionalizing a side hustle early on, and using segmentation to achieve open rates as high as 57%.Guest Contact Information: Kyra Adams can be reached fastest on Instagram @thechinochew. You can also find her on Twitter or subscribe to her newsletter at Chino Chew.Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #ChinoChu #AIAutomation #EmailMarketing #EventMonetization #InlandEmpire #SideHustle #CommunityBuilding #MetaAds | — | ||||||
| 3/27/26 | Automating Local Media Workflows with Claude MCP | In this episode, TJ Larkin and Shane dive deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI workflows specifically tailored for local media brands. They explore the power of Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers, which allow users to connect AI models like Claude directly to software like Beehive and Canva. The discussion centers on how these integrations allow non-technical users to manage complex data and automate repetitive tasks using simple natural language commands.Shane demonstrates how a custom-built Beehive MCP server can outperform official releases by providing both read and write access to newsletter data. You’ll see a live demonstration of Claude generating an interactive subscriber dashboard and automatically segmenting business owners from a mailing list. This episode highlights how "lazy" AI can be pushed to solve high-level business problems, such as identifying sales leads or creating custom landing pages.The conversation concludes with a look at the massive shifts in the AI landscape over just a few short weeks, including the expansion of Claude’s context window and the integration of Canva for automated design. TJ and Shane emphasize that the barrier to entry for these tools is lower than ever, urging local media creators to experiment and "ask the AI" to handle the grunt work.Guest Information: TJ Larkin is the host of the Local Media HQ show and manages multiple local publications including the Leander Scoop. Shane is an AI workflow expert and former newsletter publisher who now builds custom MCP tools and shares insights on his channel, AI Off Leash. You can find more of their work at Local Media HQ and follow Shane’s technical deep dives on the AI Off Leash YouTube channelBuild your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #AIWorkflows #ClaudeAI #Beehive #MCP #NewsletterGrowth #Automation #LocalNews #Canva #AIOffLeash | — | ||||||
| 3/25/26 | Monetizing Local Media with In-Person Dining Events | TJ Larkin welcomes Rae Lambert, founder of DNNR, to discuss the rapid growth of her social dining platform. The episode explores how local creators and newsletter owners are using DNNR to facilitate six-person "hostless" dinners that help strangers become friends while generating significant monthly revenue. Rae shares how the platform has scaled to 70 active communities, providing creators with a hands-off way to build local GDP and strengthen their personal brands without the exhaustion of traditional event planning.The conversation dives into the mechanics of the "white-labeled" engine, where creators set the dates and select neighborhoods while the platform handles matching, reservations, and follow-ups. Rae highlights success stories like Troy Farkas of Seacoast Stories, who integrates sponsors into his DNNR clubs and utilizes after-party bars to converge multiple tables for a larger social experience. They also discuss the surprising effectiveness of using Meta ads for DNNR clubs as a high-ROI alternative to traditional subscriber growth campaigns.Viewers will gain insights into the "personal brand moat," learning why authentic, unpolished content often outperforms glossy, faceless media brands. Rae also details her use of "OpenClaw" and AI bots to automate financial analysis, content drafting, and creator reminders, effectively acting as mid-level analysts for her team. The episode concludes with a look at why being a "big fish in a small pond" in tier-two cities offers more sustainable business value than chasing a global, faceless audience.Guest Contact Information:Website: dnnr.io Twitter/X: @rae_lambert Instagram: @rae_lambert LinkedIn: Rae LambertBuild your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #CreatorEconomy #SocialDining #CommunityBuilding #NewsletterGrowth #PersonalBranding #AIAutomation #DigitalMarketing #InPersonEvents #Entrepreneurship | — | ||||||
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| 3/16/26 | Building a 75k Instagram Following for Local Media | Mitko from Cincy Scoop joins the show to discuss the rapid growth of his local media brand, which has amassed 75,000 Instagram followers and 12,000 newsletter subscribers since launching in 2023. The conversation explores the transition from traditional publication styles to a "new age" media format that focuses on high-quality visual content and community engagement. Mitko explains how he and his wife Sarah combined their backgrounds in remote work newsletters and Instagram marketing to build a dominant local presence in Cincinnati.The episode dives deep into their unique monetization strategy, moving away from low-cost "mom and pop" ad sales in favor of high-level partnerships with national brands like IKEA and Red Bull. Mitko shares the details of their "Cincy Battles" product, a monthly pass that uses a dedicated app to drive foot traffic to local restaurants while providing businesses with valuable customer data. They also discuss the "Venture Studio" approach, where the audience acts as a launchpad for new services, events, and physical activations.Viewers will learn actionable strategies for growing an Instagram account, including the importance of "Quantity Breeds Quality" and the use of ManyChat lead magnets to convert followers into newsletter subscribers. Mitko emphasizes the value of local collaboration over competition and why building trust is the ultimate currency for any local figure. Whether you are a creator or a local business owner, this episode provides a roadmap for building a modern media engine that adds genuine value to a community.Guest Contact Information:Website: cincyscoop.com Instagram: @cincy_scoop Personal Instagram: @mitkokaBuild your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #Cincinnati #InstagramGrowth #NewsletterStrategy #CommunityBuilding #CincyScoop #DigitalMarketing #Hyperlocal #Entrepreneurship #ContentCreator | — | ||||||
| 3/6/26 | Witchita Life Making Money via Dinner Clubs & Puzzles | Landon from Wichita Life returns to the show to share how he has significantly scaled his local media brand over the last several months. The conversation covers his impressive growth to nearly 38,000 email subscribers and how he leverages tools like ManyChat and Facebook ads to maintain steady momentum. Landon breaks down the business model behind his highly successful monthly dinner clubs, which regularly attract over 100 attendees seeking genuine community connection in Wichita.The episode delves into the diversification of Wichita Life through physical products, specifically the creation of a custom Wichita-themed puzzle that has sold hundreds of units. Landon shares insights on hiring a social media manager to tap into younger trends and how he uses creative memes to drive massive engagement on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. He also discusses his approach to ad sales, emphasizing the importance of keeping a full pipeline even when inventory is sold out.Viewers will gain actionable advice on applying the principles of "Unreasonable Hospitality" to digital products by focusing on the "moments between the moments," such as a well-crafted welcome email sequence. Landon also explores the potential of recurring revenue through paid programs and future events like lectures on tap. This episode is a masterclass for anyone looking to turn a local passion project into a thriving, multi-faceted media business.Guest Contact Information:Social Media: Wichita Life (on all platforms)Email Newsletter: Wichita Life UpdateTwitter/X: Landon Heuslig (@LandonHeuslig)Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #WichitaLife #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #CommunityBuilding #Entrepreneurship #SocialMediaStrategy #WichitaKansas #DigitalMarketing #EventPlanning #SmallBusinessTips | — | ||||||
| 2/26/26 | From 3,000 to 20,000 Email Subscribers Without Spending a Dollar on Ads | Uriah Kaiser has been covering Northern Virginia through Potomac Local News since 2010 — longer than most people in this space have been paying attention to it. In this episode, he and TJ Larkin dig into what it takes to build a sustainable, multi-revenue local media business over the long haul.From paywall strategy to AI adoption to YouTube growth, Uriah pulls back the curtain on what's actually working right now. Key takeaways include: start with free content to build brand before adding a paywall; use email capture walls strategically to grow your list fast; feed AI accurate inputs (like meeting transcripts) to get high-quality content out; build your YouTube channel around consistent topics so the algorithm can place your content; and get physically present in your community if you want to close ad deals. Uriah's model blends hard journalism with community content, and it's a useful roadmap for anyone building a local newsletter or media brand today.Connect with Uriah Kaiser: Website: PotomacLocal.com X: @PotomacLocal | @UriahKaiserBuild your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletter #LocalJournalism #NewsletterBusiness #CreatorEconomy #LocalMedia #NewsletterGrowth #AIForCreators #HyperlocalNews #ContentCreatorTips #NewsletterMonetization | — | ||||||
| 2/23/26 | He Sold His National Newsletter to Go All-In on Local (And It's Working) | Justin Gordon quit his job at a venture firm to start a newsletter. Nine months later, he crossed $100K in revenue.In this episode, Justin breaks down exactly how he built the LA Grind and SF Grind into real businesses. Not just newsletters. Businesses with events, sponsorships, and a paid membership that grows every single month.We get into the specifics: how he closes $5K event sponsors like JustWorks and Citizens Private Bank, how he hosted a 250-person event with a 280-person waitlist, and the exact funnel that turns free newsletter subscribers into paying members at $59/month.Justin also talks about selling his previous newsletter (Just Go Grind) through Acquire.com and why he went all-in on local over national.If you're building a newsletter, running events, or trying to figure out how to actually make money in local media, this one is packed.What we cover:Crossing $100K revenue in 9 months with the LA GrindLaunching a second newsletter (SF Grind) and hitting 2,000 subscribers fastHow to get enterprise sponsors for local eventsBuilding a paid membership alongside a free newsletterSelling a newsletter and why focus mattersThe content expansion plan: deal flow, founder profiles, and startup newsWhy local beats national for newsletter monetizationConnect with Justin:The LA Grind: https://thelagrind.com/The SF Grind: https://thesfgrind.com/Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/ https://lightbreak.ai/Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletter #NewsletterBusiness #StartupCommunity #EventSponsorship #NewsletterMonetization #CommunityBuilding #LocalMedia #FounderEvents #NewsletterGrowth #PaidMembership | — | ||||||
| 2/17/26 | Reddit Marketing Strategy for Local Newsletters | Michelle Rueda shares how she grew What's Weird ATX to nearly 5,000 subscribers without spending a single dollar on advertising. As an engineer with over 16 years of experience, she built Social Radar, an iOS app that notifies her whenever someone on Reddit asks questions relevant to her Austin events newsletter. Instead of spending hours searching Reddit manually, the tool alerts her to opportunities where she can authentically engage and provide value. Her approach has generated as much as 1,000 subscribers from a single comment.The key to Michelle's success is maintaining authentic, human responses rather than using AI-generated content. She emphasizes the importance of genuinely answering specific questions and building trust through real engagement. By focusing on providing value first and mentioning her newsletter naturally when relevant, she's built strong brand recognition in the Austin community. Michelle also discusses the importance of building Reddit karma before actively promoting, ensuring your account has credibility within the community before engaging in promotional activities.In this conversation, Michelle and TJ explore the future of local newsletters, the role of AI-assisted creator brands, and how maintaining human authenticity while leveraging technology creates sustainable growth. Michelle is currently working on expanding Social Radar into a managed service and developing an events tool for major metro areas, helping other newsletter operators grow their audiences organically.Michelle Rueda runs What's Weird ATX newsletter at whatsgoodatx.beehiiv.com. Learn more about Social Radar at trysocialradar.com. If you're interested in the events tool for major metro areas, reach out through the Social Radar website.Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #NewsletterGrowth #RedditMarketing #LocalNewsletter #OrganicGrowth #ContentMarketing #CommunityBuilding #AustinTech #NewsletterStrategy #SocialRadar #MediaBusiness | — | ||||||
| 2/13/26 | His Newsletter Launched a Real Estate Company (Not the Other Way Around) | Tad Moore runs NWA Daily, a 41,500-subscriber local newsletter in Northwest Arkansas with a 54% open rate and 7% click-through. What started as a content writing gig in 2020 evolved into Director of Operations and eventually Strategic Advisor as they expanded beyond the newsletter into real estate and consulting. Most growth came organically through social media, collaborations, and giveaways rather than Meta ads. They're part of Around Town Media, operating newsletters across multiple cities including Kansas City.The conversation reveals their creative referral strategy: donating $1 to local nonprofits for every referred subscriber instead of traditional discounts. Tad explains how they maintain healthy relationships with "competing" newsletters in the same region, sharing ideas freely because local focus eliminates real competition. They've since launched Skipstone, a real estate brokerage, and Skipstone Group, which helps others start local newsletters. The episode dives into the challenges of building custom newsletter platforms versus using established providers, with honest takes on AI tools and email deliverability.Check out NWA Daily at nwadaily.com, Skipstone Group at skipstonegroup.com, or connect with Tad Moore on LinkedIn.Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletter #NewsletterBusiness #NWADaily #EmailMarketing #ContentCreation #BeehiveNewsletter #LocalMedia #CommunityJournalism #NewsletterGrowth #AroundTownMedia | — | ||||||
| 2/6/26 | Legacy Local Media Finally Gets It (Too Late?) | Book a demo at lightbreak.ai to see our newsletter software in action!Shane Brady joins TJ Larkin to discuss the current state of local newsletters and media businesses. Shane operates multiple newsletters with approximately 32,000 total subscribers, with his largest newsletter reaching 12,000 subscribers. They cover the surprising interest from legacy media companies looking to acquire newsletter businesses, including Shane's recent conversations with an established local media company exploring potential acquisition. The discussion reveals how traditional publishers are becoming aware of the creator-led newsletter movement and the strategies being used to grow subscriber bases through Meta advertising.The conversation dives into practical growth strategies, including Meta ad acquisition costs, three-times-weekly publishing schedules, and monetization through local business advertising. Shane and TJ discuss why legacy media companies have mastered monetization but struggle with modern growth tactics, while independent newsletter operators have figured out subscriber acquisition but often face monetization challenges. They explore the hesitation legacy media has toward using Meta ads, both because they view Meta as a competitor for local advertising dollars and due to philosophical resistance to paying for audience growth.Key insights include the importance of time management for newsletter operators, focusing on efficiency over perfection, and understanding your core business goals, whether that's direct revenue, building a personal brand for political aspirations, or leveraging newsletter expertise to launch a digital marketing agency. Shane and TJ also introduce their new partnership on lightbreak, newsletter software designed for local publishers, and announce their upcoming podcast "Media Creates Leverage" focused on how media brands create business opportunities beyond advertising.Shane Brady Contact: Lightbreak.ai for newsletter software demos and partnerships. Follow Shane's work with local newsletters and connect regarding Media Creates Leverage podcast through TJ Larkin's channels.Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletters #NewsletterBusiness #MetaAds #LocalMedia #NewsletterMonetization #CreatorEconomy #MediaBusiness #DigitalPublishing #NewsletterGrowth #EntrepreneurPodcast | — | ||||||
| 1/28/26 | Buying and Rebuilding a Local Media Brand | Keith Pepper, owner of Rough Draft Atlanta, shares how he acquired a legacy print media company during the height of the pandemic and transformed it into a profitable, digital-first local media brand. The conversation explores the realities of owning and operating a modern community news business.Keith explains why print still represents more than 70 percent of Rough Draft’s revenue, how saturation mail distribution changes advertiser value, and why weekly and monthly print products can still thrive. He also breaks down the role newsletters play as the “new morning paper” for local audiences.The episode dives into ad sales strategy, sponsored content, newsletter monetization, and why focusing on high-value advertisers is critical. Keith also discusses scaling cautiously, acquiring complementary publications, and building sustainable local journalism without venture capital pressure.Guest contact information:Website: https://roughdraft.news/LinkedIn: Keith PepperSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia#Newsletters#MediaBusiness#DigitalPublishing#PrintMedia#CommunityNews#AdSales#MediaEntrepreneur#LocalJournalism#RoughDraftAtlanta | — | ||||||
| 1/19/26 | Growing to 40K Followers & $10K/Month with Social-First Local Media | Social media has become the fastest and most effective way to build a local media brand, and Jacob Espinoza is proving it. In this episode, TJ Larkin and Jacob walk through how creators are replacing newspapers and local TV by delivering timely, trusted information directly on Instagram.Jacob shares lessons from growing What’s Happening Salem to tens of thousands of followers, including the content formats that perform best, how to stay consistent without burning out, and why social proof matters when working with local businesses. They also explore monetization strategies, from sponsored posts to content creation for partners.The episode wraps with a forward-looking discussion on AI, trust, and why being visibly local is becoming more valuable, not less. If you’re early in local media or considering launching a city-focused brand, this conversation provides a realistic roadmap.Guest Contact Information:Jacob EspinozaCommunity: The Local Social ClubWebsite: https://school.com/thelocalsocialclubInstagram: @whatshappeningsalemSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia#SocialMediaStrategy#LocalNews#InstagramGrowth#CommunityBuilding#ContentCreators#DigitalMedia#LocalBusinessMarketing#CreatorEconomy#LocalSocialClub | — | ||||||
| 1/9/26 | The Creator-Led Model for Local Newsletters | Amy Vartenuk joins the podcast to share how she’s building Clevelandish, a modern local newsletter focused on connection, positivity, and personality. Funded by a local business owner but operated independently, Clevelandish offers a unique hybrid model for local media entrepreneurs.Amy explains how polling readers, encouraging replies, and leaning into her own perspective helped differentiate Clevelandish from traditional media outlets. She also discusses how being creator-led makes the brand more resilient in an era of AI-generated content.Listeners will hear real-world insights on paid subscriber growth, advertiser outreach through Instagram DMs, and why not every advertiser is the right fit. Amy emphasizes sustainability, creative freedom, and designing a media business that supports long-term growth rather than burnout.Guest Info:Clevelandish Website: https://clevelandish.comSocials: @clevelandish_oh (Instagram, TikTok, Facebook)Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletter#LocalMedia#CreatorEconomy#EmailMarketing#NewsletterGrowth#MediaBusiness#CommunityBuilding#Cleveland#DigitalMedia#Entrepreneurship | — | ||||||
| 1/7/26 | How to Sell Newsletter Ads: Advice From Someone Who's Made Millions Doing It | Why do legacy media companies earn more ad revenue even when local newsletters often have higher engagement? In this conversation, Justin Moore explains the disconnect and outlines how modern local media operators can position themselves as high-value partners to advertisers.Topics include how to pitch sponsorships without racing to the bottom on price, why Instagram and video content carry outsized value for local businesses, and how custom, goal-based proposals outperform generic ad packages. Justin also shares tactical advice on outbound pitching, video proposals, and identifying the right advertisers to target.This episode is designed for local publishers who want to move beyond low-dollar ads and build a real sponsorship business.Guest: Justin MooreWebsite & Book: https://sponsormagnet.com/Podcast: Sponsor Magnet PodcastLive Event: https://sponsorgames.com/Use code “TJ500” for $500 offSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalMedia #NewsletterBusiness #Sponsorships #MediaMonetization #CreatorEconomy #LocalAdvertising #JustinMoore #SponsorMagnet #DigitalPublishing #MediaStrategy | — | ||||||
| 12/26/25 | The Power Of Niche Newsletter Audiences | Dan Oshinsky joins TJ Larkin to unpack what it really takes to build a sustainable newsletter business in 2025 and beyond. With over a decade of experience leading newsletter strategy at major media companies, Dan explains why newsletters are still early and where the biggest opportunities exist today.The discussion covers niche selection, local newsletters, audience trust, and how creators can combine newsletters with social media, events, and community building. Dan shares real examples of newsletter operators who turned small audiences into six-figure businesses by focusing on value, consistency, and relationships.If you’re struggling with ad sales or unsure how to monetize your newsletter, this episode offers practical advice on building partnerships, following up with advertisers, and creating long-term revenue instead of chasing quick wins.Guest: Dan OshinskyWebsite & Newsletter: https://inboxcollective.com/Newsletter Advertising Playbook: https://inboxcollective.com/buy-the-playbookSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #Newsletters#LocalMedia#CreatorEconomy#AudienceBuilding#EmailMarketing#NewsletterBusiness#MediaEntrepreneur#DigitalPublishing#AdSales#InboxCollective | — | ||||||
| 12/17/25 | Automating a $500k a Year Local Media Brand | Matt Moody breaks down how he built Salina 311 into a “community intelligence platform,” reaching over 30,000 members in a town of about 60,000, and generating north of $500,000 in annual revenue. Instead of treating it as “just a newsletter,” Matt explains how multiple distribution channels (email, web, Facebook, SMS) and heavy automation shaped the growth engine, plus why he focuses on objective community data to earn trust. They also dig into monetization: paid memberships, limited ad inventory with rising rates, sponsored coverage for teams/events, and a self-serve ad approach that increasingly drives inbound demand. Guest info: Matt MoodyFractals Network: fractalsnetwork.comSalina 311: salina311Events platform: events.salina311.comWilmington community example: communitydashboard.orgSubscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNews #NewsletterGrowth #CommunityBuilding #MediaBusiness #MembershipModel #LocalAdvertising #CivicTech #Automation #SMSMarketing #EventsMarketing | — | ||||||
| 12/9/25 | Local Memes + Mr Beast Style Local Content are a Recipe for Success | discord.localmediahq.comlocalnewsletteros.comhttps://signup.memelord.com/tjIn this episode I wanted to open up my notebook and share a few things I am seeing across local newsletters, high ticket service businesses and software. No script. Just ideas that feel early but important. The first one is the “local MrBeast” concept. My First Million mentioned it this week. I had just written about it. So I figured it was a good time to spell out why I think this could be a huge edge for local operators who are willing to do something slightly harder than the average newsletter.We start with a live example. Cole, a roofer in South Carolina, has been documenting his work and his community on video. One of those videos blew up. Around 700,000 views in about two weeks. It travelled through business Twitter and YouTube. That is not a small bump. That is the type of spike that can reset an entire business. I break down why his approach worked, why doing it as a media company instead of a single business could be even more powerful, and how this fits with the idea of being “creator led” at the local level instead of just being another newsletter that recaps headlines.From there I talk through the second big theme. Local memes. Memes are how entire subcultures talk to each other. Crypto. Business. Tech. They are fast to consume and fun to share, which makes them perfect for local. I share a few specific plays. A Stranger Things themed Kansas City graphic that exploded with engagement. A comet joke that tapped into long running frustration with slow road construction and then got cloned into other markets. I also mention a tool called memelord.com that surfaces the raw templates for whatever is trending, so you can bolt your local twist on top instead of spending hours trying to be a graphic designer.Midway through the episode I flip the screen on and walk through my software. Local Newsletter OS pulls in local news with RSS, rewrites it with your own AI prompts, collects articles from your readers through a simple form, and lets you manage ads and partners in the same place. The events module scrapes events, helps you clean them up, and sends them straight into your next issue. The Zillow integration lets you search for homes in your city, pick one, and drop a fully formatted real estate card into your newsletter in seconds. That feature alone used to eat up real time every single week.I close with some thoughts on statewide and even countrywide newsletters. I talk about Nate Spangle’s Indiana project, why a state audience unlocks different types of advertisers, and how marketing budgets work inside larger organizations. A single town newsletter might never see a dollar from a statewide insurance marketing team. A strong state brand can. Bigger reach, bigger budgets, and a different kind of leverage. If you want to try any of this, I invite you to jump into the free Discord, get on the Local Newsletter OS waitlist, or reach out through localmediahq.com if you want help with Meta ads, backend ops or a deeper partnership.Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com | — | ||||||
| 12/5/25 | Monetizing Local Newsletters via PR & Marketing Agencies | What does it take to run a daily local newsletter in a big metro, completely solo? In this conversation, Nick Hageman of KC Daily walks through his journey from side project in between orthopedic surgery cases to full-time operator of a daily newsletter reaching tens of thousands of Kansas Citians. He talks openly about starting with someone else’s blueprint from NWA Daily, adapting it to Kansas City, and learning the hard way that different markets respond very differently to things like Reddit, Facebook groups, and local events coverage.Nick and TJ dive into how KC Daily leverages Instagram as a discovery channel, including the “local viral” posts and simple video ideas that brought in thousands of followers, like a snow-shoveling “Super Bowl” reel and a Stranger Things–style skyline image. They discuss why those followers don’t always translate to engagement, how Nick measures success with Beehive segments and tracking links, and how tools like ManyChat help convert slow but cheap subscribers from social. You’ll also hear his thoughts on AI, why he deliberately uses very little of it, and how having a real local face still matters as trust in national media and automated content erodes.If you’re trying to monetize local media, you’ll get a clear look at KC Daily’s business model: recurring newsletter advertisers with real marketing budgets, PR-firm relationships that turn into multi-client deals, a local dining discount card, and a small “fan club” for reader support. Nick shares how he gets on press release lists, how he follows up with performance metrics, and why simply showing up at media events has led to some of his biggest deals. To connect, find Nick Hageman on LinkedIn, subscribe to KC Daily at kcdaily.com, and follow @kcdaily on Instagram for daily Kansas City stories and experiments.Subscribe to the Weekly Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/Follow My JourneyTwitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1 Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:tj@localmediahq.com #LocalNewsletters#KCDaily#KansasCity#LocalMedia#NewsletterGrowth#InstagramMarketing#SmallBusinessMarketing#PRStrategy#CreatorEconomy#DigitalPublishing | — | ||||||
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