Local online newspaper and newsletter

Local businesses sponsoring or advertising, readers paying for memberships or subscriptions, and community groups paying for promoted listings.

Newsletter sponsorships, banner and classified ads, paid memberships, and sometimes event listings or sponsored content clearly labeled as such.

• Writing and reporting
• Photography
• Basic website and email tools
• Selling sponsorships

• Libel and defamation risk: check fact-checking habits and ask about media liability insurance
• Email marketing rules (such as CAN-SPAM) apply, include opt-out links and your mailing address
• Check copyright before using photos, quotes or text from other sources
• Check your state's rules on sales tax for digital subscriptions and ads
• Building an audience takes time, so expect slow early income

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $500 to $3,000, depending on your website and email tools. Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on sponsors, ads and reader subscriptions you secure.

Check your fact-checking habits and ask about media liability insurance because of libel and defamation risk. Email rules such as CAN-SPAM apply, so include opt-out links and your mailing address. Also check copyright and your state's sales tax rules for digital subscriptions and ads.

Writing and reporting, photography, basic website and email tools, and selling sponsorships all help. Estimates suggest at least about 10 hours a week. Building an audience takes time, so expect slow early income.