The media landscape is experiencing a fundamental shift that’s creating unprecedented opportunities for savvy business owners.
While traditional local newspapers struggle to survive, a new digital-first approach to local media is emerging—one that smart entrepreneurs can leverage to build both influence and profit in their communities.
Table of Contents
Media Empires
Right now, local newspapers are dying while digital attention grows. This creates a massive opportunity for smart business owners.
Most local newspaper businesses only had one way of profiting off their local media company: ads. But you, as a local business owner, are primarily building this media company to market your existing business, with ads as a secondary income source.
This flips the script on value to you, the publisher, which means massive opportunity.
Audience Is Still There
Local news readership remains strong—people still care what happens in their community. They just consume it differently now.
What used to cost an incredible amount to do the old way (reporters, editors, designers, printing, etc.) now costs 90% less by being digital-first:
- Email newsletter (core)
- News website
- Instagram, unique video content
- 1-2 person team
The Economics Make Sense
Each subscriber equals real money:
- 10K locals = $10K/month in ad revenue
- 20K locals = community kingmaker status
- 30K locals = politicians calling YOU
Advantages of Local Media
Local media creates structural advantages:
- Free advertising forever
- Control over community narrative
- Business relationships with everyone who matters
- Ability to trade value instead of dollars
- First-party data on your exact customer base
Traditional Marketing vs. Local Media
Traditional marketing = expense
Local media = appreciating asset
The First-Mover Advantage
Most businesses still don’t see this trend happening yet.
Now’s the time to jump in and be the first mover before someone else does.
Conclusion
The collapse of traditional local media isn’t just a crisis—it’s the greatest opportunity for local business owners in decades.
By establishing your own digital-first local media presence now, you’re not just building a marketing channel; you’re creating a valuable asset that appreciates over time while giving you unprecedented influence in your community.
The question isn’t whether this trend will continue, but whether you’ll be among the first to capitalize on it.
Direct message me if you want specifics on how to start your own, or check out my YouTube channel or newsletter.