Reginaldo Osnildo
Discover how to use Substack for collaborative reporting and local partnerships. Work with other creators, amplify voices, and grow your news project together.
Hey again—Reginaldo Osnildo here!
We’ve talked a lot about building your own solo news operation on Substack. But what if you didn’t have to do it alone?
That’s right—collaborative journalism is one of the most powerful, underused tools in local media. And Substack makes it surprisingly easy.
Whether you’re teaming up with other reporters, local writers, community groups, or student journalists, collaboration lets you cover more, reach farther, and build stronger trust.
In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to make that happen—even if you’re just one person getting started.
1. Why Collaboration Matters for Local Journalism
Let’s be real: you can’t cover everything by yourself.
Local news is rich, diverse, and fast-moving. Collaboration allows you to:
- Divide the workload (more stories, less burnout)
- Bring in specialized voices (education, health, politics)
- Reach new audiences (through your contributors’ networks)
- Build legitimacy as a community platform, not just a solo project
Plus—it’s more fun to build something together.
2. Use Substack’s “Recommendations” Feature
Substack has a built-in Recommendations tool that lets you:
- Highlight other local newsletters you trust
- Send subscribers to allies, not competitors
- Get discovered by their audiences too
This is perfect for forming loose networks with other local or niche journalists. Think of it as cross-promotion that actually helps everyone.
3. Invite Guest Writers to Contribute
Want more voices in your newsletter? Start simple.
Create a recurring guest series like:
- “Local Voices”
- “Guest Column of the Week”
- “This I See” – reflections from different community members
Provide a short template or submission guide and open the door to:
- Freelancers
- Students
- Community organizers
- Activists
- Business owners
Pro Tip: Credit them properly and offer a link back to their own platform.
4. Use “Notes” for Real-Time Collaboration
Substack’s Notes feature is a great way to:
- Spark discussions with collaborators
- Ask your community for ideas
- Share behind-the-scenes content
- Highlight quotes or story tips
Think of Notes like your editorial whiteboard—visible to your network, fast to update, and perfect for interaction.
5. Co-Publish Special Series or Projects
Working on a bigger story? Team up.
Use shared Google Docs or Notion boards to:
- Assign roles (reporting, editing, photography)
- Gather interviews or leads
- Set deadlines
- Draft and revise collaboratively
Then publish under your newsletter, with co-author credit and links to your contributors’ work.
Bonus: Cross-publish on their Substack or platform too!
6. Partner with Community Organizations
Want to go beyond journalists? Partner with:
- Neighborhood associations
- Local nonprofits
- Schools and universities
- Youth media programs
- Advocacy groups
Offer them space in your newsletter to:
- Share updates
- Publish guest stories
- Promote events
- Collaborate on coverage of shared issues
This builds deeper community trust and makes your platform more inclusive.
7. Highlight Contributors in a Dedicated Section
Give regular collaborators the spotlight:
- Create a “Contributors” page on your Substack
- Include short bios and links
- Rotate features in your newsletter footer
- Interview them for “Meet the Writer” posts
This builds professional credibility for them—and loyalty to your project.
8. Manage Content and Workflow Like a Pro
As your team or network grows, you’ll need to stay organized.
Use tools like:
- Google Drive – for shared folders
- Trello or Notion – to manage story assignments and timelines
- Slack or Discord – for fast communication
- Calendly – to schedule interviews or check-ins
This helps you act like a small newsroom—without needing a building or payroll.
9. Split Revenue (If Monetized)
If your newsletter brings in paid subscriptions or sponsorships, be fair.
Options:
- Pay guest writers per post (even $25–$50 is appreciated!)
- Split revenue from special paid projects
- Share subscriber growth stats and conversion bonuses
- Offer in-kind perks (promos, exposure, exclusive access)
Transparency keeps everyone motivated and avoids misunderstandings.
10. Build a Collaborative Culture
At the end of the day, collaboration is about relationships.
Make your contributors feel:
- Respected
- Heard
- Appreciated
- Part of something bigger than themselves
It’s not just about the content—it’s about the community you’re building behind the scenes.
Want the Full System for Collaborative Journalism?
If you’re serious about creating a community-powered news site—and want the tools, templates, and structure to do it without burnout—this is for you:
👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network
Inside, you’ll find:
- Contributor outreach templates
- Revenue-sharing models
- Story management tools
- Collaboration checklists
- A 30-day action plan for solo and small-team publishers
You don’t need a newsroom. You need a mission—and people who believe in it with you.
Let’s build something together.