# Local Media HQ > Local Media HQ helps local media companies grow: websites that earn, newsletters people open, Meta ads that bring readers for cents, and AI that runs the busywork. Founded by TJ Larkin. Based in Williamson County, Texas (Greater Austin area). An 8th replay company. Our team runs 20+ local publications with 175,000+ subscribers and uses the same playbook with clients. We also built the software behind it: - larkfeed (https://larkfeed.com): the website for local media. Job board, event calendar, business directory, articles written by voice, and council meetings written up automatically. Every page is something to sell: featured events, featured jobs, a job board sponsor, pro listings and expert articles. - lightbreak (https://lightbreak.ai): turns a week of local news into a finished newsletter issue in under 15 minutes. - greetform (https://greetform.com): smart questions and matched offers right after someone subscribes. Ways to work together: - Strategy call (60 minutes, booked on TidyCal): https://tidycal.com/tjlarkin/local-media-hq-consulting - Free 20-minute call: https://tidycal.com/tjlarkin/local-media-hq-inquiry - Meta ads management and advisory / AI ops (second brain, proactive agents): start with a call or reach out - Partnerships, acquisitions and bigger conversations: reach out through our greetform Also: the Local Media HQ newsletter (https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe), the podcast (https://www.youtube.com/@localmediahq), and advertising in our publications (https://ads.localmediahq.com). ## Podcast episodes (newest first) - Local Directory is his Best Sponsorship Funnel (Part 2) (with Ken Jee, Sep 28, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5UMCDsA-vk - His Local B2B Newsletter Sells Out Expert Columns (Part 1) (with Ken Jee, Sep 22, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nttNLXfTNo - He Left His W-2 to Go All in on Local Media (with Sam Harper, Sep 14, 2026): https://www.localmediahq.com/podcast/sam-harper-waco-buzz-full-time-local-media - 170 Roofing Leads From 12 Social Media Videos (with Katie Myers, Sep 3, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BV6uc5bnJro - How to Build a Local Media Business that Scales (with David Grant, Aug 10, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LvLW13SFhk - The Unique Marketing Strategy Home Service Companies Are Missing (with Price Foulger, Jul 27, 2026): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeDCiH9ce5Y ## FAQ - Who is this for? Established local media brands ready to grow again, and new operators who want to build a modern local media business the right way. Publishers, journalists, creators and local businesses all fit. - Do I have to give up print or broadcast? No. The modern layer grows alongside what you have. We build the channels that compound and let the rest keep doing its job. - Is this just advice? No. We run this across our own publications every day. Hire us for strategy, the build, or both. The recommendations come from a live operation. - Who actually does the work? Our team, the same people who built the software and run our publications. You won't be handed off to a junior account manager. - Do I have to use your software? No. We recommend what fits your operation. larkfeed, lightbreak and greetform are there if you want them, and we work with the tools you already use. - Do we own what gets built? Yes. The audience, the subscriber data and the systems are yours and portable. The goal is to leave your business stronger and independent. - What does it cost? You'll see the strategy call price when you book it. Ads management and advisory depend on scope, which is exactly what the free 20-minute call is for. ## Facts - Location: Williamson County, Texas (Greater Austin area) - Parent company: 8th replay (https://8threplay.com) - Markets with our publications: Greater Austin, Greater Sacramento, Orange County, Las Vegas Valley, Omaha, Sioux Falls, Knoxville, Charlotte, Treasure Coast - Contact for partnerships or acquisitions: https://app.greetform.com/b/local-media-hq/forms/reach-out ## Articles - [Free AI Workflows for Local Media Operators](https://localmediahq.com/articles/free-ai-workflows-local-media-operators): Local media operators need narrow, tested AI workflows for sponsorships, media kits, events, newsletters, surveys, source briefs, and growth. - [The First Two Minutes After Signup Are Your Best Local Revenue Moment](https://localmediahq.com/articles/first-two-minutes-after-newsletter-signup-greetform): A new subscriber is paying more attention in the first minute or two after signup than they may ever pay again. Here's how a short survey or quiz turns that moment into useful data, qualified opportunities, and better partner revenue. - [How to Write a Local Newsletter (The Format That Gets 45% Open Rates)](https://localmediahq.com/articles/how-to-write-a-local-newsletter): Most people who start a local newsletter copy Naptown Scoop and call it a day. That's not the worst instinct in the world. Ryan Sneddon basically wrote the playbook, and Kyra from the Chino Chew st... - [Local Newsletter Business Plan: The Template I'd Use If Starting Over](https://localmediahq.com/articles/local-newsletter-business-plan-template): If I were starting a local newsletter from scratch today, I wouldn't write a traditional business plan. I'd write something closer to a battle map. Who's in your market, what you're going to sell... - [How Much Money Can a Local Newsletter Make?](https://localmediahq.com/articles/how-much-money-can-a-local-newsletter-make): Real numbers from someone running 20+ markets. What a local newsletter actually earns at 1K, 5K, and 10K subscribers, and the cost structure that makes it work. - [Beehiiv vs Substack vs Ghost for Local Newsletters (From Someone Who's Tested All Three)](https://localmediahq.com/articles/beehiiv-vs-substack-vs-ghost-for-local-newsletters): I've run 20+ local newsletters on Beehiiv, tested Substack, and used Ghost. Here's the real comparison, not a feature list, an operator's opinion. - [Local Newsletter Name Ideas (And How to Pick One That Actually Works)](https://localmediahq.com/articles/local-newsletter-name-ideas): The name doesn't have to be clever. It has to be clear. Here's the naming framework I've used across 20+ local newsletter brands. - [How to Get Your First 1,000 Newsletter Subscribers](https://localmediahq.com/articles/how-to-get-your-first-1000-newsletter-subscribers): The first 1,000 is the hardest part. Here's what actually works for local newsletters, ranked by effectiveness, with real numbers. - [How to Sell Newsletter Sponsorships (The Local Media Playbook)](https://localmediahq.com/articles/how-to-sell-newsletter-sponsorships): Most operators wait too long to sell. I've closed sponsorships at 800 subscribers. Here's the full playbook, who to call, what to say, how to price it. - [How to Start a Local Newsletter Business (The Complete Playbook)](https://localmediahq.com/articles/how-to-start-a-local-newsletter-business): The complete playbook for starting a local newsletter business from someone running 20+ brands with 170K+ subscribers. Real costs, real numbers, step-by-step. - [The Real Asset Isn't Ads. It's Local Trust.](https://localmediahq.com/articles/the-real-asset-isnt-ads-its-local-trust): A clear case for treating your media brand as the town's platform. Learn why trust creates leverage, why options protect you, and how reputation compounds into an unbreakable moat. - [The Value of a Local Media Brand Beyond Ads](https://localmediahq.com/articles/the-value-of-a-local-media-brand-beyond-ads): Local media is more than ad revenue. See 20+ ways a local media brand creates income, influence, and opportunity in your community. - [What Is Local Media HQ? Not a Franchise. Build a Local Media Brand You Own](https://localmediahq.com/articles/what-is-local-media-hq-not-a-franchise): Local Media HQ is not a franchise. You own 100 percent of your brand, audience, and content. Get proven systems and support with lower risk and full control. - [Stroll Magazine Alternative: Own the Channel, Lower the Risk](https://localmediahq.com/articles/stroll-magazine-alternative-own-the-channel-lower-the-risk): Comparing Stroll magazine with digital options? Local Media HQ gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in the inbox and social feeds. - [Towne Post Alternative: Own the Channel, Lower the Risk](https://localmediahq.com/articles/towne-post-alternative-own-the-channel-lower-the-risk): Considering Towne Post? See how Local Media HQ's digital-only model gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in inboxes and social feeds. - [The Scout Guide Alternative: Digital Control You Own](https://localmediahq.com/articles/the-scout-guide-alternative-digital-control-you-own): Looking at The Scout Guide? See how a digital-only model with Local Media HQ gives you full ownership, lower risk, and real reach in inboxes and feeds. - [Neighborhood Magazine Alternative: Own Your Audience with Digital](https://localmediahq.com/articles/neighborhood-magazine-alternative-own-your-audience-with-digital): Considering a neighborhood print magazine? Compare it with Local Media HQ's digital-only model built for ownership, lower risk, and meeting people where they are. - [Money Pages Alternative: Own the Channel, Lower the Risk](https://localmediahq.com/articles/money-pages-alternative-own-the-channel-lower-the-risk): Considering Money Pages? See how Local Media HQ's digital-only model gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in inboxes and social feeds. - [Lifestyle Publications Alternative: Build a Digital Brand You Own](https://localmediahq.com/articles/lifestyle-publications-alternative-build-a-digital-brand-you-own): Comparing Lifestyle Publications with digital options? Local Media HQ gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in inboxes and social feeds. - [Coffee News Alternative: Own the Channel, Lower the Risk](https://localmediahq.com/articles/coffee-news-alternative-own-the-channel-lower-the-risk): Considering Coffee News? See how Local Media HQ's digital-only model gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in inboxes and social feeds. - [Best Version Media Alternative: Local Media HQ's Complete Guide](https://localmediahq.com/articles/best-version-media-alternative-local-media-hqs-complete-guide): Discover why local media operators are switching from Best Version Media to Local Media HQ. Compare features, costs, and benefits in our comprehensive guide. - [City Lifestyle Alternative: Own the Channel, Lower the Risk](https://localmediahq.com/articles/city-lifestyle-alternative-own-the-channel-lower-the-risk): Weighing City Lifestyle against digital options? See how Local Media HQ gives you full ownership, lower risk, and weekly reach in inboxes and feeds. - [The Local Newsletter OS Explained](https://localmediahq.com/articles/local-newsletter-os-explained): Deep dive into the software that powers successful local media brands. - [Growing Your Email List](https://localmediahq.com/articles/growing-your-email-list): Proven tactics to attract and retain subscribers. - [Content Strategy for Local Newsletters](https://localmediahq.com/articles/content-strategy-local-newsletters): What to write about and how to maintain consistency. - [Building Community Engagement](https://localmediahq.com/articles/building-community-engagement): How to turn passive readers into active community members. - [Monetization Strategies for Local Media](https://localmediahq.com/articles/monetization-strategies-local-media): Proven revenue models that work for local newsletters and how to implement them.