$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 = https://sparkloop.app/newsletter Naptown Scoop newsletter - https://www.naptownscoop.com/ The Life of Scoop newsletter - https://lifeofscoop.beehiiv.com/ Ryan on LinkedIn - https://lifeofscoop.beehiiv.com/ Ryan on Twitter -   / lifeof_scoop   Dylan on Twitter -   / growthcurrency   SparkLoop's Paid Recommendations — the game-changing way to instantly monetize your newsletter - https://sparkloop.app/paid-recommenda... SparkLoop Partner Programs — grow your newsletter at 10x speed - https://sparkloop.app/partner-program SparkLoop Affiliate Contest — recommend other newsletters to SparkLoop for a chance to win a FREE trip to Cancun! - https://help.sparkloop.app/en/article...