Built by Experts

Building modern, creator-led
local media brands

Get playbooks, software, and support from operators who've done it.

18+ brands
130k+ subscribers
Proven system

Ready to get started?

Join journalists, creators, publishers, entrepreneurs, and local businesses going from zero to launched and growing.

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both are free!

Who Should Start a Modern Local Media Company?

Journalists

Turn reporting chops into a powerful local media business that you own 100%.

Legacy Publishers

Upgrade ops, growth, and design: without rebuilding from scratch.

Solo Creators

Package your local knowledge into a brand that scales.

Local Businesses

Own attention in your market with a media asset. And advertise your current business inside of the media company.

Local Audience Builders

Side hustlers, moms, real estate professionals, business brokers, local politicians: anyone building influence in their community.

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Why build a local media company?

The upside is bigger than "newsletter revenue." You're creating an asset that compounds attention, relationships, and deal flow.

Direct ad revenue

Sell sponsor slots and placements your audience actually sees.

Services & high-LTV leads

Turn attention into clients for your core business.

Social capital in your city

Become "the person to know" for what's happening.

Partnerships & deal flow

Meet founders, civic leaders, and operators every week.

Talent & hiring pipeline

Your audience becomes your bench of contributors and candidates.

Audience flywheel

Content → subscribers → sponsors → better content → growth.

Community relationships

Build real connections with residents and local orgs.

Survey data you can act on

Turn reader insights into products, offers, and sponsors.

Event monetization

Tickets, sponsors, and VIP experiences your city wants.

...and so much more

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Traditional Model vs Our Model

Same mission: serve the community. Very different playbook.

(why it's stuck)

Old local media

  • Print-first, slow cycles
  • Long investigative pieces few people read
  • Staff-heavy, expensive overhead
  • High cost from printing and shipping
  • Weak social + weak email
  • Sales = cold calls & CPM dependency
  • Static websites with little UX care
  • No creator voice, low personality
(why it grows)

The LMHQ model

  • Social-first, newsletter-centered
  • Service journalism + snackable, useful content
  • Lean creator-led teams with smart tooling
  • Minimal expenses compared to old model
  • Email + social + SEO work together
  • Multi-revenue: sponsors, deals, events, services
  • Complete software solution included.
  • Clear point of view and an operator voice
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What you can build under one brand

You don't have to do all of it on day one. Start with the newsletter—expand as you grow.

Newsletter Hub

Beehiiv-powered newsletter as your central content engine

Social Video

Instagram/TikTok/YouTube Shorts for daily reach and discovery

Master Website

Archive, conversion hub, and SEO-optimized content library

Local Events

Meetups, panels, awards ceremonies, and community gatherings

Podcast Series

Operator interviews and deep dives into local stories

YouTube Content

YouTube shorts and explainers for expanding reach

Deals & Offers

Flash sales marketplace connecting locals with businesses

Business Directory

Map guides and business listings for your community

Job Board

Local classifieds and employment opportunities

SMS Alerts

Push notifications for big drops and breaking news

Seasonal Guides

Restaurant guides, school rankings, holiday recommendations

Print Zine

Lightweight print zine or annual community guide

...and so much more

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About Me

I'm TJ Larkin. I launched 15 local newsletters to 130,000+ subscribers with Meta lead costs as low as $0.09. I publish the Local Media HQ Newsletter and host the Local Media HQ Podcast, where operators share what is working in their cities.

I build modern local media so people get the information they want in channels they already use, like newsletters and social. That includes paid Meta acquisition, referral loops, repeatable content, and sponsor pipelines that turn attention into revenue.

I help creators and small teams go from idea to working media asset, with Beehiiv setup, clean sites, brand refreshes, and sales ops, then turn the best plays into templates others use.

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TJ Larkin

Brands we power

A few of the local media properties in the Local Media HQ network.

Round Rock ScoopHenderson HQNewport ScoopKnoxville ScoopEDH InsiderAthens ScoopFoothills ConnectionRocklin Insider

and more

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Choose Your Path

From community to full-service, we meet you where you are

Do It Yourself

Newsletter OS + Community + Training

$499/mo
  • Weekly Office Hours + Group Calls
  • Guest expert calls
  • Training library & playbooks
  • Templates (Canva, copy, ad creative)
  • Ad Sales CRM
  • Local Newsletter OS
  • Starter funnels & landing pages
  • Beehiiv account included
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Popular

Done With You

Newsletter OS + Meta Ads + 1:1 Calls

$999/mo
  • Everything in DIY
  • Complete Beehiiv setup (survey, welcome, segmentation, template)
  • Meta ad management
  • 1:1 strategy calls: 6 per year (bi-monthly)
  • Location exclusivity
  • Priority 24hr chat support
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Done For You

Newsletter OS + Full Service + Writing

$3,999/mo
  • Everything in DWY
  • Website: full setup
  • Branding: custom logo + colors
  • Newsletter: custom design with a designer
  • We write your newsletters
  • 1:1 strategy calls: 24 per year (2/mo)
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Over $200/month in value.

Complete software bundle included.

Ad Sales CRM Stack

Normally $100/mo as a blank slate. Ours is prebuilt for local media + guided customization.

  • Full CRM with subscriber segmentation and tagging
  • Automated email sequences for onboarding and nurture
  • Landing page builder with local media templates
  • Appointment scheduling for sponsor calls and interviews

Beehiiv Account

Enterprise newsletter platform valued at $100–$150/mo. Enables our team to support you effectively.

  • Direct team access to troubleshoot and optimize your setup
  • Advanced analytics and subscriber growth insights
  • Built-in monetization features including ad network access
  • Professional email deliverability and sender reputation
Get All This Included
Our Custom Software

Local Newsletter OS

We built our own internal software to help us manage the creation of 18 newsletters. Everything you need, all in one software. And now we're offering it to other local newsletter creators.

📅

Content Calendar

Pre-planned templates and schedules for consistent publishing.

💼

Sponsor Templates

Ready-to-use ad formats and sponsorship packages.

📧

Email Sequences

Automated welcome series and engagement workflows.

📊

Analytics Dashboard

Track opens, clicks, and subscriber growth metrics.

🎨

Style Guide

Brand consistency templates and design systems.

📈

Growth Playbook

Proven tactics to scale your subscriber base.

Get the Newsletter OS

Frequently Asked Questions

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