$350k with a local newsletter business - with Ryan Sneddon of Naptown Scoop

In this episode, SparkLoop's Dylan Redekop chats with Ryan Sneddon of Naptown Scoop, a pioneering local newsletter dedicated to Annapolis, Maryland.
In less than four years, Ryan's grown Naptown Scoop to a full-fledged local media business with a small staff and a target annual revenue of $350k. He plans to grow to over $1M in revenue in the upcoming few years-all from a local newsletter with under 18k subscribers.
In this episode, Dylan & Ryan explore:
→ The Genesis of Naptown Scoop: How Ryan's dissatisfaction with traditional employment pathways led him to create a local newsletter that now connects thousands.
→ Overcoming Growth Challenges: Strategies and insights on expanding a local newsletter's reach and engagement, including the pivotal role of community involvement.
→ Monetization Pathways: From direct advertising to innovative community events, Ryan shares how Naptown Scoop has turned local attention into a thriving business model.
→ The Power of Local Influence: How owning a local newsletter opens unparalleled opportunities for business ventures, partnerships, and community impact.
→ Future Visions: Ryan's ambitious plans for Naptown Scoop and advice for aspiring newsletter creators looking to make a difference in their communities.
...and much more, including Ryan's candid thoughts on the balance between being a local 'celebrity' and a committed newsletter operator.
CHAPTERS
0:00 - Intro
01:41 - Ryan's intro & Background
04:05 - Starting Naptown Scoop
05:34 - Prompt to Start a Local Newsletter
06:58 - Popularity of Local Newsletters
11:11 - Elements of a Good Local Newsletter
14:31 - Benefits of Starting a Local Newsletter
24:26 - The Challenges
26:21 - The Grind of Running a Local Newsletter
30:18 - Ideal Population size
31:40 - Naptown Scoop's Daily Process
36:34 - Monetization
43:41 - #1 Tip for Success
OTHER LINKS MENTIONED
Send & Grow newsletter = sparkloop.app/...
Naptown Scoop newsletter - www.naptownsco...
The Life of Scoop newsletter - lifeofscoop.be...
Ryan on LinkedIn - lifeofscoop.be...
Ryan on Twitter - / lifeof_scoop
Dylan on Twitter - / growthcurrency
SparkLoop's Paid Recommendations - the game-changing way to instantly monetize your newsletter - sparkloop.app/...
SparkLoop Partner Programs - grow your newsletter at 10x speed - sparkloop.app/...
SparkLoop Affiliate Contest - recommend other newsletters to SparkLoop for a chance to win a FREE trip to Cancun! - help.sparkloop...

[@moneymakingsim4314]

My GOODNESS!! Love from East Baltimore!! “Naptownscoop”!!! AA county has been my home for years! Love you guys. Much success!

[@NeuralNewsletters]

TLDR: Local newsletters can be a profitable business opportunity with a small subscriber base, but require deep community knowledge, local partnerships, and a focus on monetization and community involvement for significant revenue and potential growth.
00:00 📰 Local newsletters can be profitable with a small subscriber base, as shown by Ryan Sneddon's success with Naptown Scoop, covering local news and events in Annapolis, Maryland.
04:39 📰 Local newsletters are a popular and growing business opportunity, with the speaker aiming to teach others how to start their own and partner with individuals in different cities.
11:41 📰 Running a successful local newsletter business requires knowing the community well, partnering with local "rock stars," and focusing on monetization and community involvement for significant revenue and potential growth.
16:22 📰 Building a local newsletter business can lead to unexpected social connections and opportunities, such as launching campaigns and businesses with a built-in audience in the town.
21:10 📰 Local newsletters with a passionate audience can generate $350k in revenue, have high leverage, and offer opportunities for affiliate marketing, but growth is a challenge without spending on advertising.
26:18 📰 Running a local newsletter business requires constant engagement, attending events, and staying on top of current events to keep the content machine running, with the goal of generating a million or more in revenue.
31:42 📰 The Naptown Scoop newsletter involves sourcing and curating local news, with mistakes in content leading to a necessary correction.
36:28 📰 Leveraging a local newsletter for advertising revenue and potential for additional revenue through events and physical products, with the goal of reaching a million dollars and using the newsletter as a platform for growth and revenue.

[@moneymakingsim4314]

Damn. Thank you AI..

[@dylanredekop5429]

Such a great episode!

[@FruitFloridaFarm]

Great interview

[@davinci315]

Now I’m wondering how many cities have this nickname. I assumed Indianapolis til I saw Annapolis

[@varg1952]

U want to help me start? I’m in a great town for it? How can I connect

[@themodernhomemaker800]

I just launched mine. Let’s talk,if that’s okay.

[@josieharding8623]

About to launch mine!

[@sparkloop]

awesome, good luck with the launch!

[@themodernhomemaker800]

Hi Josie
Did you launch?? I just launched mine. Let’s talk,if that’s okay.