Blake

Trying to build a local empire with a local newsletter.

Might fail, but might not

[Blake @localblake]

Started a local newsletter in December 2025. Learned a lot from others on X, so I want to share what I learn along the way. Maybe it will help someone else.

The newsletter content didn’t fit with my main X account (agriculture), so I made this one.

All things newsletter ahead

[Blake @localblake]

Had 3 conversations with potential advertisers this week. It’s the most interesting I’ve had from local businesses so far.

Also organizing a singles event in my area. Exciting things happening.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 5,038
-Instagram: 1,109
-Facebook: 6,933

Survive and advance

[Blake @localblake]

Finally started doing cold outreach to local businesses today. Feel like I’ve started to hit a stride on the newsletter and know I can bring some value to business.

Also, started running FB ads to target local business owners. I did this back in January and got about 25 leads. 5 or so were solid potential partners, but only just started working with one of them.

Anything you’d change?

[Blake @localblake]

This week has been one of the most enjoyable in the short life of the local media biz.

We had our third dinner club and it was genuinely some of the most fun I’ve ever had. Getting to see friendships start from a newsletter is pretty cool. Heck, I made new friends too.

One request I got this week was to start holding singles events. So if anyone has experience with that, hit me up.

Anyway,

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 4,646
-Instagram: 992
-Facebook: 6,692

On we go

[Blake @localblake]

It’s been a long couple of weeks. My day job picked up, my first side hustle (soil sampling) went crazy, which left me with just enough time to put together the newsletter.

•I posted on socials for the first time in two weeks (boo)
•I collected my first ad dollars from THE small business of the month in my area. Win-win for their business getting more eyes and the newsletter.
•Have two Dinner Club ambassadors who have been spreading the word for our dinner at the end of April. Cool to see people enjoy the experience enough to bring in new people.

Anyway,

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 4,048 (manually cleaned my list, -204 subs)
-Instagram: 883
-Facebook: 6,289

Better days ahead

[Blake @localblake]

Had our second Dinner Club and had ambassadors this time. Game changer. We ended up having 22 and I’m hoping for 40+ at April’s dinner.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 4,021
-Instagram: 854
-Facebook: 6,058

We go on

[Blake @localblake]

Read an article today about our city’s businesses on Main Street. For most, rent increases 3% every year which puts them in a 3-5 year cycle of being squeezed out of their location. And for some, we’re at that 5 year mark.

Nearly all are small, local businesses which are the backbone of our area. Don’t know how I can help, but just cant stop thinking about it.

[Blake @localblake]

More sickness in the house this week, not a lot of sleep to be had. This week’s newsletter is some of my better work in my opinion.

Writing and sending twice a week is forcing me to put reps in and squeeze out as much quality as I possibly can.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 3,824
-Instagram: 800 (crazy to think we were at 12 about 2 months ago)
-Facebook: 5,762

[Blake @localblake]

@MedisOunn @TJLarkin23 @MikeyPesto @MrJacobEspi I’m probably not much help here. @TJLarkin23 might be your guy

[Blake @localblake]

A lot of sickness in the household this week, but pushed through. I was proud of the newsletter content and social content that I put out this week. Another week of building trust.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 3,505
-Instagram: 689 (growth is a slog for some reason)
-Facebook: 5,147 (growth is so easy for some reason)

Got this nice reply on Tuesday. We press on.

[Blake @localblake]

@chinar_amrutkar Haha I’m good with being the media guy for now

[Blake @localblake]

First Dinner Club in the books, first drone video doing well on socials, and got my Facebook account back. Exciting stuff.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 3,332
-Instagram: 616
-Facebook: 4,572

Signed a local art shop/gallery to a 3 month deal. Meeting with a winery next week to solidify a deal for summer events.

We go on

[Blake @localblake]

Missed the deadline to enable Facebook Protect, and now I’m not able to log in to my account.

Anyone else ran into this issue?

[Blake @localblake]

Just got back home from Lafayette Lookout’s first Dinner Club. Here are a few thoughts on it:

1) so cool to meet newsletter subscribers, but also people who randomly found me on Facebook and thought the Dinner Club sounded fun

2) I need to get more events on the calendar. Immediate feedback was “when are you doing this again?” and “are you planning other things like this?”

3) I need to figure out a way to identify Dinner Club folks when they come in to the after dinner spot. I think I’m going to try name tags next time.

4) we’re just getting started

[Blake @localblake]

@chinar_amrutkar I still have to learn how to fly this thing😂 but that’s how I felt too

[Blake @localblake]

Another week of trying to build trust with the community. Have two calls scheduled next week with local business owners.

Buying a drone tomorrow to up my fb/ig game.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 3,038
-Instagram: 558
-Facebook: 3,928

Got blocked by another local creator this week, so that was cool.

We go on

[Blake @localblake]

@idanielroman That’s great! May they remain on your side😂

[Blake @localblake]

@MrJacobEspi Great group of people to learn from. Best decision I’ve made since starting Lafayette Lookout

[Blake @localblake]

I started focusing on creating something useful or entertaining for my community every day over the last month and here are some of the results from my top performing reels.

I mainly only do talking head videos and memes. Shoutout @MrJacobEspi for all of the help and inspiration. If you don’t follow him, you need to!

My dinky 500 follower Instagram account is reaching people.

It’s been a lot of fun making the content and based on community feedback, they’re enjoying it too. Win win

[Blake @localblake]

@Muyiwa_Lagos Yep! And yes, using Dinnr

[Blake @localblake]

Hit send for the 15th time this year.

It’s been a lot of fun getting to know some of the subscriber list via email. Here in 10 days I’ll get to meet at least 18 of them (so far) at our first Dinner Club, which I’m pumped about.

Another week of trying to build trust and talk to local business owners.

Here are the vanity metrics:

-Newsletter: 2,783
-Instagram: 509
-Facebook: 3,296

I say vanity metrics, but all of it goes toward trying to build trust and become a staple here in the community by providing value.

A flow that has worked for me is turning newsletter content into Instagram/Facebook reels. Those have been crushing over the last couple of weeks.