The Mallorcan
About the Company
The Mallorcan is a local media brand founded by Ida Jakobson in April 2022. It focuses on providing residents and visitors of Mallorca with engaging content about the island. The main product is a weekly email newsletter that features interviews with local entrepreneurs, upcoming events, and various tips related to Mallorca. The business also includes a website and social media presence, which contribute to its overall reach and engagement with the audience.
The company serves local businesses in Mallorca by offering them a platform to advertise and reach their target audience. The newsletter is designed to be a valuable resource for both locals and tourists, showcasing the best of what the island has to offer. Ida runs the majority of the operations herself, with occasional help from freelancers.
Idea Behind Company
Ida Jakobson conceived the idea for The Mallorcan after moving to Mallorca from Sweden in 2021. Faced with the challenge of building a new community in an unfamiliar place, Ida wanted to create a way to connect with others on the island. She realized that starting a local email newsletter could be an effective way to build an audience and foster community ties.
Ida’s background in marketing gave her the confidence to launch the newsletter, even though she had no prior experience in running an online business. She saw the newsletter as a low-effort side project that could serve as a testing ground for her ideas. The positive feedback she received from the first few newsletters encouraged her to continue developing the project, which eventually evolved into a profitable business.
Creating the Company
Building the first version of The Mallorcan was a straightforward process for Ida. She began by interviewing local entrepreneurs, featuring events, and sharing her discoveries about Mallorca. Inspired by existing local newsletters, Ida created a blueprint for her content that included curated images, interviews, tips, and bookmarked articles.
With a budget of under $100, Ida quickly set up a landing page on Squarespace and an email template using Email Octopus. The initial audience was built by sharing the newsletter in local Facebook groups, which helped her reach a few hundred readers. As the newsletter gained traction, Ida realized the potential for growth and began experimenting with different content themes and revenue models.
Launching the Business
The official launch of The Mallorcan was gradual, with no major event or announcement. Ida focused on consistently sending out the weekly newsletter while experimenting with various growth strategies. She used Facebook groups and subreddits to attract her first subscribers, who were either residents of Mallorca or had a strong interest in the island.
Ida also began reaching out to local business owners for interviews and potential sponsorships. Within a few weeks, she had secured a pipeline of interviews, gained a few hundred subscribers, and found her first paying sponsor. Collaborating with real estate agents in Mallorca, such as Fantastic Frank, helped her secure sponsorship deals and grow the business.
Earnings
As of today, The Mallorcan generates around $2,449 per month in revenue, with minimal operational expenses. The business is described as "ramen profitable," meaning it covers its costs and provides a modest income. However, the revenue can be unpredictable due to the ad-driven nature of the business.
Ida is focused on growing the newsletter's audience and exploring new revenue streams, such as subscription models or additional advertising products. The website now receives around 6,000 visits per month, the email list has grown to 2,500 subscribers, and the Instagram account has 2,300 followers. Looking ahead, Ida plans to scale SEO efforts, expand the email list, and explore new platforms like TikTok to reach a broader audience.
