The Next 90 Days: Let’s Build Something Special Together

When I started Lakes Area Buzz, I didn’t know how fast it would grow — or how deeply it would connect. It began with a simple idea: tell the stories that make the Brainerd Lakes Area feel like home, not just a destination. A weekly email, written by a neighbor, highlighting the people behind the signs, the passion behind the small businesses, and the community heartbeat that doesn’t always make the front page.

Today, The Buzz has surpassed 1,100 readers, with hundreds more discovering our stories online every month. Our growth has been largely organic, supported by some paid social media advertising—no agencies, no investors. It’s been driven by locals forwarding stories, sharing links, and saying, “Hey, you should read this.”

If you want it a bit more polished or casual, let me know.

That tells me something important:
there is real hunger for local storytelling done differently.

Not news cycles.
Not crime headlines.
Not clickbait.

But human stories with heart.

A coffee roaster in their garage.
A nonprofit feeding 228 households in a single evening.
A teenager turning a hobby into a business.
A neighbor lifting someone up simply because they can.

Those stories are the quiet power of this area — and I believe they deserve a spotlight.

Over the next 90 days, I’m going bigger, deeper, and more intentional about how the Buzz serves this community.

What You’ll See Every Tuesday

To make the Buzz easy to read, easy to love, and easy to share, each edition will now follow a consistent rhythm — a mix of small discoveries and big stories.

Here’s what you can expect every Tuesday morning:

A Featured Local Story

A 900–1,300-word narrative about someone doing something meaningful in the Lakes Area.
Not an ad. Not a press release.
A story.

The kind you finish reading and think:
“I want to meet that person,” or
“I didn’t know that was happening here.”

Sometimes it’s a local hero.

Sometimes it’s a business owner.
Sometimes it’s a nonprofit.
Sometimes it’s a neighbor you’ve never heard of.

This is the centerpiece of the newsletter — and the heart of the Buzz.

‘One Big Question’ Interviews

I firmly believe that small questions uncover big answers, each week I’ll ask one local a single, thoughtful question — and let them take it where it goes.

It might be about:

their first day in business

the lesson they learned the hard way

what keeps them moving

the moment they almost quit

their dream for this community

These pieces will be short, powerful, and full of emotion.

Events Worth Attending

Not a calendar dump.
A curated list of events worth your time — with a few clear reasons why.

Five to seven recommendations, hand-picked:

hidden gems

seasonal fun

family favorites

unique local experiences

and new events from neighbors you haven’t met yet

You’ll know where to go, and why it matters.

The Buzz List

Think of this as a quick-hit local discovery feed:

a new taco truck

a maker selling art

a seasonal trail update

someone looking for volunteers

a small business offering something cool

Just the good stuff — simple, useful, and highly shareable.

A Community Spotlight

Every edition will highlight a local nonprofit, community leader, volunteer group, or organization doing something important.

Even if you never donate a dollar, you’ll walk away knowing more about the people building this place we all love.

Because community is not just events — it’s identity.

Why I’m Doing This

I’m a Christian, a tech-forward storyteller, and someone who loves helping where I can — whether it’s lifting someone up with a story, bringing a smile to someone’s face, or connecting a local business with the people who would love them if they only knew they existed.

I also love learning.
Anything tech.
AI tools.
Digital strategy.
Modern ways to build local media that actually work.

This newsletter is my way of combining those passions:
technology + community + storytelling.

I believe local media can be run like a tech-powered social good — driven by the community it serves, funded sustainably, and focused on stories that make people feel something positive.

And yes — I want to increase my income from this work.
Not to buy toys or brag — but to fuel the growth of this platform so it can cover more stories, sponsor more local features, and stay free to read.

Every advertiser.
Every share.
Every subscriber.
Every referral.
It all moves that mission forward.

How We’re Funding This Work

Until now, the Buzz has run on sweat, late nights, technology, and faith. In the next 90 days, I’m transitioning into a community sponsorship model, built for small business owners who want visibility — without the price tag of traditional media.

Here’s the difference:
I’m not selling ad space.
I’m inviting partners to join a story.

Sponsors aren’t “advertisers.”
They’re local growth partners — rotating alongside other small businesses so everyone gets high visibility at a fair price.

This model:

keeps pricing affordable

allows multiple businesses to share premium placement

prevents any one brand from dominating the feed

ensures no direct competitors share the same issue

creates limited slots, so demand stays healthy

It works like this:

Top-of-article banner: rotating among 3–5 local partners

Sidebar square ads: rotating among 5–8 partners

Footer logo panel: shared, always present in every edition

Sponsored features: custom story articles for selected partners

Facebook promotion: included in certain partnership tiers

It’s simple, fair, and built for real-world results.

I’ve never believed in “selling ads” — but I believe deeply in helping local businesses get discovered.

If your business — or a business you know — would benefit from being seen by local residents, lake homeowners, and travelers who love the Brainerd Lakes Area, I’d love to talk.

Here’s Where You Come In

The Buzz has always been neighbor-powered.

If you know someone with a story worth telling — reply to this email.
If you run a business with a heart behind it — reach out.
If you’re part of a nonprofit doing good — I want to shine a light on it.

The best stories don’t come from headlines — they come from neighbors.

If you have a lead, a tip, or a nudge, I’m all ears.

This is your newsletter.
Let’s build it together.

Thank you for reading, sharing, believing, and supporting this idea.
The next 90 days are going to be something special.
See you Tuesday.

Joshua McElmurray
Founder & Editor
Lakes Area Buzz

PS: Got a Story Lead?

Send it here:
👉 lakesareanewsletter.com/tell-a-story
(people, businesses, events, nonprofits — everything is welcome)

Soft CTA for Advertisers

If you’re a local business and you’re curious about partnering with the Buzz, I’d love to learn about your story and explore what a community sponsorship could look like.
Just reply directly to this email, or visit:
👉 joshuamcelmurray.com

No pressure — just a conversation.
(If we’re a good fit, amazing. If not, I’ll still support you however I can.)