Active
SBA Pre-Qual: Thriving Local Newsletter | 22K High-Value Subscribers
Launched in August 2020, this local newsletter is a newsletter-first local media business serving a wealthy metro area of 150,000 people.
The newsletter has 22,000 email subscribers (94% of readers are local) and open rates of 64%.
Revenue is generated primarily through three types of advertising placements, with most advertisers on 6–12-month contracts. The business provides comprehensive copywriting services for advertisers, creating ads designed to generate measurable ROI (return on investment) rather than just awareness.
This approach has resulted in strong advertiser retention, with current revenue averaging ~$1,300 per email and $260K in trailing 12-month revenue. CPM (cost per thousand impressions) is between $40 and $70. The top six advertisers (of 30 total advertisers) account for ~55% of revenue. They operate on an industry-exclusive advertising model and have a strong backlog.
There is $331,200 in committed advertising orders for 2025 and 2026. Several of the larger advertisers have committed to a two-year agreement through 2026.
The owner works ~15–20 hours weekly and has three local writers, one local salesperson, one social media contractor, and an admin who will transition to the new owner. This newsletter has a well-defined workflow where an admin compiles potential stories; the editor then assigns them to writers, edits their work, and finalizes the newsletter.
The owner is selling the business as he wants to explore larger B2B publishing ventures. He is committed to a smooth transition period and has documented all operational procedures. An owner does not need to live in the city to run this business.
Key Benefits:
Proven Financial Performance: The company sees an average revenue of $1,310 per email, with $331K in existing advertising commitments for 2025–2026 and a history of successfully raising prices annually without losing advertisers.
Efficient Operations: With well-documented processes and a reliable team of contractors in place, the owner works about 15–20 hours per week, focused mainly on content selection and editing.
Strong Advertiser Relationships: Many of the top advertisers have bought advertising for multiple years.
Repeatable Local Newsletter Playbook: The business comes with comprehensive standard operating procedures, a playbook, a style guide, and a 60-day transition period offered by the seller, allowing for a smooth ownership transition.
Minimal Marketing Expenses: The audience continues to grow organically at approximately 20% annually with negligible marketing spend, showing a strong position in the local market.
Listed By: Omar Kettani
The newsletter has 22,000 email subscribers (94% of readers are local) and open rates of 64%.
Revenue is generated primarily through three types of advertising placements, with most advertisers on 6–12-month contracts. The business provides comprehensive copywriting services for advertisers, creating ads designed to generate measurable ROI (return on investment) rather than just awareness.
This approach has resulted in strong advertiser retention, with current revenue averaging ~$1,300 per email and $260K in trailing 12-month revenue. CPM (cost per thousand impressions) is between $40 and $70. The top six advertisers (of 30 total advertisers) account for ~55% of revenue. They operate on an industry-exclusive advertising model and have a strong backlog.
There is $331,200 in committed advertising orders for 2025 and 2026. Several of the larger advertisers have committed to a two-year agreement through 2026.
The owner works ~15–20 hours weekly and has three local writers, one local salesperson, one social media contractor, and an admin who will transition to the new owner. This newsletter has a well-defined workflow where an admin compiles potential stories; the editor then assigns them to writers, edits their work, and finalizes the newsletter.
The owner is selling the business as he wants to explore larger B2B publishing ventures. He is committed to a smooth transition period and has documented all operational procedures. An owner does not need to live in the city to run this business.
Key Benefits:
Proven Financial Performance: The company sees an average revenue of $1,310 per email, with $331K in existing advertising commitments for 2025–2026 and a history of successfully raising prices annually without losing advertisers.
Efficient Operations: With well-documented processes and a reliable team of contractors in place, the owner works about 15–20 hours per week, focused mainly on content selection and editing.
Strong Advertiser Relationships: Many of the top advertisers have bought advertising for multiple years.
Repeatable Local Newsletter Playbook: The business comes with comprehensive standard operating procedures, a playbook, a style guide, and a 60-day transition period offered by the seller, allowing for a smooth ownership transition.
Minimal Marketing Expenses: The audience continues to grow organically at approximately 20% annually with negligible marketing spend, showing a strong position in the local market.
Ad#:2367262
Listed By: Omar Kettani
Background information
Reference:
2367262
Year established:
2020
Reason selling:
The owner wants to move on to bigger ventures.
Finance
Sales:
$297,533
EBITDA:
$123,440
Premises
Facility:
Home Based
Opportunities
Growth:
Multiple Growth Pathways: These include untapped potential in website monetization (which is currently unmonetized), social media expansion, digital/physical products, and specialty publications.
Price and terms
Price:
$382,000
Training:
The owner can offer 60 days of transition support.