This Simple Local Business Makes $320K/Year

I love finding simple business models that anyone can replicate, and this one is a perfect example of that.

In Annapolis, Maryland, a young entrepreneur named Ryan Sneddon launched a straightforward yet highly profitable business—a local newsletter called Naptown Scoop. 

His goal? Keep residents informed about local events, business openings and closings, and interesting happenings in town.

How He Got Started

Instead of waiting for people to discover his newsletter organically, Ryan used affordable Facebook ads to target Annapolis residents.

The ads highlighted the value of staying updated on local events—something people wanted but weren’t actively searching for.

✅ The result? Rapid growth. Naptown Scoop quickly grew to 15,000 subscribers thanks to these simple ads.

From Paid Growth to Organic Success

Once Ryan built an engaged audience, he turned off the ads and let word-of-mouth take over. Readers shared the newsletter with friends, and soon the subscriber base grew organically to 18,000.

At this point, Ryan wasn’t just running a newsletter—he was running a six-figure business. With a relatively small audience, he started making over $200,000 per year from local businesses eager to advertise.

What His Daily Process Looked Like

For the first 18 months, Ryan followed a structured daily routine to keep his newsletter fresh and valuable:

☀️ Morning: Surf sites for relevant local content (plus, readers would email him about local events).
📝 Midday: Start writing the newsletter.
🔄 Afternoon: Re-check local sources for any breaking news or updates.
✍️ Evening: Finish writing, edit the content, and schedule the newsletter.

This consistency kept readers engaged and ensured Naptown Scoop remained the go-to source for local news.

How Does a Local Newsletter Make Money?

Local businesses love hyper-targeted marketing. Unlike radio, billboards, or print ads, a newsletter lets them reach their exact audience at a fraction of the cost.

🔹 Restaurants, boutiques, realtors, and law firms paid premium rates to advertise directly to an engaged local audience.
🔹 With just 18,000 subscribers, Ryan built a business that brings in over $200K a year.

This Business Model is Replicable in Any Town

Ryan isn’t alone. Local newsletters are quietly becoming one of the simplest and most profitable online businesses.

🚀 6AM City has scaled newsletters across multiple cities, each pulling in substantial ad revenue.
🚀 The Charlotte Ledger is another hyperlocal newsletter generating significant income through subscriptions and sponsorships.

Why This Works So Well

🔹 Low Startup Costs: All you need is an email platform like Beehiiv and local knowledge.
🔹 High Engagement: People love knowing what’s happening in their community.
🔹 Easy Monetization: Local businesses are eager for targeted advertising.

How to Start Your Own Local Newsletter

Want to replicate Ryan’s success? Here’s a formula to follow:

1️⃣ Launch with Targeted Ads

• Use cheap Facebook ads to attract your first 10,000+ subscribers.

• Target people in your city who are interested in local events, food, and community updates.

2️⃣ Deliver Consistent, Valuable Content

• Send a short, engaging newsletter 2-5 times per week.

• Cover events, openings, business news, and local stories.

3️⃣ Grow Organically

• Encourage subscribers to share by including a referral incentive.

• Stay consistent—reliable content keeps people coming back.

4️⃣ Monetize with Local Ads

• Reach out to small businesses that want more exposure.

• Charge for sponsored posts, banner ads, or premium placements.

Other Ways to Grow Your Newsletter

Besides ads and word-of-mouth, there are other creative ways to grow a local newsletter:

📌 Tap into Local Facebook Groups: Ask the group admin if you can post about local happenings (with a link to your newsletter).
📌 Flyers in Local Coffee Shops: Print simple, eye-catching flyers and leave them in high-traffic areas.
📌 Sponsor or Host Local Events: Get your newsletter in front of engaged community members.
📌 Collaborate with Local Influencers or Businesses: Partner with them to cross-promote your newsletter to their audience.

Ryan’s Vision: $1M+ Per Year from a Local Newsletter

Ryan believes he has a clear path to scaling Naptown Scoop into a $1M+ per year business. With more subscribers and premium sponsorships, the potential for local newsletters is far greater than most people realize.

If Ryan can build a $320K/year business just by keeping his neighbors informed, there’s no reason you can’t do this in your own town.

I think a local newsletter is one of the simplest online businesses to start. No products, no inventory, and no complex tech. Just an email list and consistent content.

Hope you guys enjoyed this one. Have a great weekend!

-Tim