Local Media HQ

Monetizing Local Media Without Traditional Outbound Sales


Listen Later

In this episode, TJ Larkin sits down with Nick Pollock, who transformed a side hustle into a full-time local media business in just 18 months. Nick shares how he grew his two Canadian brands, the Oakville Digest and Burlington Digest, to a combined 28,000 newsletter subscribers and 30,000 Instagram followers. The conversation explores the transition from working in tech sales to managing a local media empire independently.


Nick provides a deep dive into his unique monetization strategies, specifically the success he has found with "dinner clubs" that serve as high-leverage, low-effort revenue streams. He also discusses his approach to ad sales, moving away from aggressive outbound tactics to focusing on growth and inbound interest. Listeners will learn how Nick manages ad inventory, including his shift toward selling three- to six-month minimum packages instead of one-off ads.


For aspiring media operators, Nick highlights the importance of becoming the most obvious news source in town to gain immediate trust with sponsors. He shares his "collaborator" strategy for Instagram ads, which allows him to partner with small businesses like local pickleball clubs and spas without compromising his brand’s organic feel. The episode concludes with actionable advice on scaling local brands through carousels and potential future expansions into high-ticket events.


Guest Contact Information: You can connect with Nick Pollock on LinkedIn. To see his work in action, check out his newsletters at OakvilleDigest.com and BurlingtonDigest.com, or follow @OakvilleDigest and @BurlingtonDigest on Instagram.


Build your own local media business:https://localmediahq.com/  https://lightbreak.ai

Subscribe to the Weekly

Newsletter:https://www.localmediahq.com/subscribe 


Join the Community (Discord):Connect with TJ, share ideas, ask questions, and be part of a growing creator & media community👉 Join here: https://discord.localmediahq.com/


Follow My Journey

Twitter/X: https://x.com/TJLarkin23

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tj.larkin

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tjlarkin1

Website: https://tjlarkin.com/ 


Work With MeFor brand partnerships, sponsorships, and business inquiries:[email protected]  


#LocalMedia #NewsletterStrategy #DigitalMarketing #OakvilleDigest #BurlingtonDigest #SideHustle #CommunityBuilding #InstagramGrowth #AdSales #Entrepreneurship

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Local Media HQBy TJ Larkin