Online local newspaper and newsletter

Local businesses buying banner ads, newsletter sponsorships and classifieds, plus readers who choose to subscribe or support the paper.

Sponsorship and ad slots sold monthly, paid subscriptions or memberships, and sometimes sponsored community notices or job ads.

• Writing and reporting
• Basic website and newsletter tools
• Selling sponsorship to local businesses
• Taking decent photos

• Defamation and privacy risks, so check media liability insurance and how to verify stories
• Copyright and permission for images, council documents and quotes
• Political or election advertising may need authorisation, so check AEC and state rules
• Check privacy rules for your subscriber email list and how to handle unsubscribes
• Building an audience takes time, so income can be slow to start

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on your website, newsletter tools and equipment. Building an audience takes time, so income can be slow to start. Treat these figures as estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $400 to $2,000, depending on ads, sponsorships and reader support. Plan on roughly 12 hours a week or more. These are estimates, and income can be slow at first.

Check defamation and privacy risks, media liability insurance, and how to verify stories. Also check copyright and permission for images, council documents and quotes, election advertising authorisation with the AEC and your state, and privacy rules for your subscriber list.