Today we’re going to talk about something that I honestly don’t see too many people talking about.

Failure.

Or maybe we’ll just call it ‘deciding to walk away’ cause that sounds better?

And real quick before we get into it …

It’s Day 2 of me making a real effort to scale Growth Cupid. Main thing I’ve accomplished is that I’ve recorded a video that I will edit and upload to YouTube at some point. (If you want more details, I’m going a bit more in depth in my Skool community.)

(Quick reminder - you can see my recent emails in the archive here)

I Tried

I haven’t been shy about the struggles I’ve experienced with a local newsletter.

It’s been well over a year since I started my local newsletter here in Vegas.

And almost exactly a year since it earned it’s first dollar ($211 to be exact).

I prepared for that local newsletter launch probably more than most people. I spent several months consuming every type of media that I could find about running one of these.

Made a complete playbook and everything.

But there was one thing that I didn’t account for - the REAL reason Naptown Scoop was (and is) so successful.

You see, I thought it was simply the result of launching in an affluent area.

But the reality is that Annapolis, the market for Naptown, is almost exclusively white, English-speakers. Same applies for newer local newsletters that are a smashing success, like Catskills Crew.

On paper, my math is sound for this business model…I was just missing the vital piece of the puzzle.

I’ve even seen a few other local newsletters start here before ceasing to publish.

All the preparing in the world can’t overcome a market that’s not full of almost exclusively white, English-speakers.

And sure, I’ve seen people doing okay in markets like Phoenix that aren’t almost exclusively white, English-speakers. But my goal was never to just do okay.

So, I’m done. At least with this local newsletter. I’m even done with focusing on the website for it.

All of it.

I’ve wasted too much time and money on trying to grow something that was clearly destined to fail.

It didn’t reach profitable status, but that’s okay. Time to put that energy on something new.

Coming up…

More on what I’m working on and how it’s going.

Stay awesome,

Shawna

P.S. If you or someone you know needs local SEO help, I do pay for referrals to Growth Cupid. So reach out to me!

Some links may be affiliate links. I 💖 you if you use one!