Community Newsletter

Startup Costs: $2,000 - $10,000
Home Based: Can be operated from home.
Part Time: Can be operated part-time.
Franchises Available? No
Online Operation? Yes

Writing, publishing, and distributing your own community newsletter is a great way to earn extra money and have some fun at the same time. To keep your start-up, equipment and printing costs to a minimum use 11-by-17-inch paper folded in half, as is your newspaper. This will give you four pages on which to feature content and advertisements. Featured content can be whatever you think will be beneficial to the community'-entertainment, sports, real estate, the arts, senior issues, business news or just games and trivia. The paper is supported financially by local business advertisers and, based on the 11-by-17-inch format, you can fit up to 24 business-card-sized ads in each issue, while still leaving lots of room for content. Charging $150 per month for each ad space will generate revenues of $3,600, of which approximately 20 percent will be needed to cover paper, printing and distribution. The weekly newspapers can be delivered free of charge to community gathering places such as restaurants, community centers, coffee shops, fitness clubs and pubs, for clients to read on location and/or take home. To get up and running you will need a computer, software such as Adobe PageMaker, a printer capable of using 11-by-17-inch paper, and reliable transportation to deliver the papers. Once you have typeset in the content and ads, you can print one copy of the paper and use a local copy shop to complete the run for pennies apiece.

Community Newsletter Ideas

Restaurant Menus

Combine page designing talent with a love for food with this business idea.

Self-Publishing Consultant

Know the secrets to self-publishing? Help others who want to succeed too.

Community Business Maps

Guide tourists to local attractions and points of interest but don't be surprised if you get lost in the profits.

More from Business Ideas

Growing a Business

Scaling Isn't About Flashy Ideas — It's About Process. 8 Steps to Get It Right

Scaling a business means evolving with each new challenge. Regular check-ins on organizational structures and processes can prevent hidden roadblocks and keep your team feeling supported.

Starting a Business

Every Successful Business Solves a Pain Point — Does Yours?

Solving pain points isn't just a path to business success; it's the foundation. Here's how to get started.

Side Hustle

She's a Former 911 Dispatcher Who Started a Side Hustle Dominated By Men — and It Makes Her About $4,500 a Month: 'Hustle Paid Off'

Marisa Risden, 32, wanted to take control of her schedule and leverage her existing skill set.