New Media How Ted Williams Sold His Local Newsletter For $5M, Led Axios Local From 0 To 30 Cities and 1M+ Subscribers, and Played a Pivotal Role In The $525M Axios Acquisition
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Feb 13, 2025 In this engaging conversation, Ted Williams, co-founder of Charlotte Agenda and a key player in Axios Local's growth, shares his insights on local media. He discusses the strategic sale of his newsletter for $5 million and dives into the challenges faced by local media in a profit-driven landscape. Ted highlights the importance of quality content, community connections, and strategic partnerships in building a successful media venture. He also offers practical advice for aspiring media entrepreneurs navigating today's digital challenges.
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Inspiration for Charlotte Agenda
- Williams' inspiration for Charlotte Agenda stemmed from creating a successful news digest product at the Charlotte Observer, modeled after Yahoo News Digest.
- He desired to lead the Charlotte Observer rather than manage a side project, and his wife's encouragement ultimately prompted him to launch his own venture.
Charlotte Agenda's Early Content Strategy
- The Charlotte Agenda initially focused on topics not typically covered by traditional media.
- These topics included local events, restaurants, bars, dating, friendship, and career advice.
Newsletter Strategy
- Treat your newsletter as its own product, not just a roundup of website links.
- Make it concise, personal, and incorporate advertising directly within it.