How many hours a week does it take to run a local newsletter business?

Over 40 hours a week. Probably more like 60 between my wife and me. That was our first five months, and we had nothing to show for it financially.

"People think three hours a week for 75 grand a year."

Is a local newsletter a side hustle?

Not if you want it to be a real business. The operators who succeed are making six figures, some way more, and they treat it as a business.

There is a side-project version. One guest on my show runs his at three to four hours a week for about a 10% lift on an existing business. That's a different goal.

Where does the time go?

Production, at first. Writing 20 newsletters a week took two to three hours each, even with a VA, and my wife spent a lot of time on the mistakes. That's why I spent 18 months building software to cut it down.

Selling is the other big block. A guest on my podcast said you have to be comfortable doing sales yourself, and that's what separates local outlets that sell well from those that don't. More in should I hire a salesperson first.

Should I bother if I can't commit?

No. I run into a lot of people who see the potential, and when we talk it through, they recognize they probably wouldn't do it right. Then don't do it. I hurt myself telling people that, because they probably would have paid me. But if you're not willing to really go in on it, don't bother. If you are, it can absolutely crush.

Most people don't follow through. From what I've seen, it's not even 10% who take serious action. More like 2%.

How do I get the hours down later?

Hand off and automate. Have an assistant do 80% to 90% of the newsletter and add your local flavor on top. Details in how to cut newsletter production time.