Reginaldo Osnildo
Discover why Substack is the ultimate low-cost, high-impact platform for building your own local news site and newsletter.
Hey, Reginaldo Osnildo here!
So, you’ve got a passion for local stories. You want to share news that actually matters to your community. But you’re stuck wondering where to start—WordPress? Medium? A Facebook page? Trust me, I’ve been there too.
Let me save you time and a whole lot of headaches: Start with Substack.
It’s not just another publishing tool. It’s a complete, powerful, no-cost platform that’s tailor-made for modern local journalism—and in this post, I’ll break down exactly why it works so well.
1. It’s FREE to Use (Seriously)
No domain fees. No hosting costs. No plugins to pay for. Just sign up and start publishing.
If you’re bootstrapping your way into the journalism game, Substack is a gift. You can literally build an entire news operation with nothing but your ideas and internet access.
Bonus? You only pay when you make money (through subscriptions), and even then, it’s just a cut of the revenue—not an upfront cost.
2. It’s Made for Writers, Not Developers
You don’t need to know HTML, CSS, JavaScript, or any of that nerdy stuff (respect to the nerds though, we love ‘em). Substack’s editor is:
- Clean
- Simple
- Focused on your words
Want to add a photo? Easy.Embed a tweet? Two clicks.Send your post as a newsletter? Automatic.
It’s all intuitive, so you can focus on reporting, not debugging code.
3. You Own Your Audience (No Algorithms Here)
On social media, you’re always fighting the algorithm. One day your post gets 1,000 views, the next day it’s buried like your last gym membership.
On Substack?Your readers subscribe with their email.Every time you publish, it lands directly in their inbox. No middleman, no distractions, no BS.
It’s pure, algorithm-free communication—and that’s gold if you’re building community trust.
4. Built-In Monetization That Works
Substack isn’t just about posting articles. It’s about turning readers into paying supporters.
You can:
- Offer free and paid newsletters
- Create premium-only posts
- Set monthly or annual pricing
- Run promotions and discounts
Whether you want to earn from day one or grow your base first, Substack gives you the tools to monetize on your terms.
5. Newsletters = Engagement Power
Your newsletter is more than an email—it’s your connection line with your readers. You can:
- Share behind-the-scenes updates
- Send breaking news alerts
- Promote community events
- Ask for feedback or stories
And Substack lets you segment your audience, so the sports fans get sports, the politics buffs get city hall updates, and the culture lovers get weekend tips. It’s targeted local journalism done right.
6. Perfect for Local Journalism
Let’s be real: most platforms are built for mass content creators or global news orgs. Substack? It’s ideal for the hyperlocal hero.
Whether you’re covering your neighborhood, a small town, or an entire region:
- It scales as you grow
- It respects your voice
- It builds community around you, not a brand
You don’t need to be CNN. You just need to be authentic, consistent, and relevant to your people—and Substack supports that every step of the way.
7. A Trust-First Platform
Substack isn’t about clickbait. It’s about trust, transparency, and audience-first publishing. That’s what local journalism needs more than ever.
You’re not playing games to get views. You’re building relationships—and Substack gives you the tools to keep them strong.
Ready to Build Your News Site?
Everything I just shared is part of what I explain (step by step!) in my e-book:
👉 Local Journalism on Substack: How to Create a Low-Cost, Monetizable News Site and Newsletter Network
If you're serious about local news—and want to build something meaningful without needing a big team or big money—this book is your guide. From setup to monetization, it’s all in there.
Let’s build the future of local journalism together.And let’s start where it makes the most sense: on Substack.