Ep. 39: How to make $100k+ as a local news creator ft. Michael Kauffman

This week Francis is joined by Michael Kauffman to discusses his journey building a local newsletter business, Catskill Crew. He shares insights on audience engagement, growth strategies, and the importance of branding in the creator economy.

Catskill Crew: https://catskillcrew.com

Newsletter Club: https://thenewsletter.club

00:00 Building a Community-Led Newsletter

05:57 Local Relationships are Crucial for Newsletter Success

12:29 Building Businesses Around a Local Newsletter

14:28 Why You Must Begin With Organic Growth

17:50 The Importance of Branding and Identity

24:41 The Internal Desire to Create

28:55 Building a Sustainable and Authentic Revenue Model

38:43 The Local Holding Company Model

41:50 Revenue Breakdown and Business Structure

43:12 The Importance of Community Engagement

47:12 Financial Realities of Starting a Newsletter

50:48 The Newsletter Club: A Community for Creators

53:41 The Future of Local Journalism