Advertise with What's Happening Salem

Put your business in front of the whole city — inbox and feed.

What's Happening Salem is the platform locals check first: 10,000+ newsletter subscribers opening at around 50%, plus 40,000+ followers on Instagram. Your business can show up in both — in the voice readers already trust.

Locally owned. Independent. Written by a real Salem neighbor, read by yours.

10K+
Newsletter subscribers
~50%
Average open rate
40K+
Instagram followers
0
Paid ads used to build it
01 — Why it works

Most local advertising fights for attention. A newsletter is invited in.

Subscribers signed up because they want it. That one fact changes how your message lands.

Recognize

Attention you can't buy on a billboard

Around half of subscribers open every issue — real people reading on purpose, not scrolling past an ad. Your feature sits inside content they chose to receive.

Repeat

Trust that transfers to you

Every issue is written neighbor to neighbor by a real Salem local. When your business shows up in that voice, it reads like a recommendation, not an interruption.

Rally

Proof after every issue

You get a report showing exactly how many people opened the issue and clicked your links. You'll never wonder whether it worked.

02 — Placements

Ways to show up in Salem.

Every placement is written in the WHS voice and clearly labeled as sponsored. You approve every word before it ships.

Primary

Business Feature

The lead sponsored feature in an issue. Around 150 words on your business with an image and direct links, placed high where every reader sees it. Best for launches, offers and brand moments.

Secondary

Secondary Feature

A compact editorial mention inside the issue. Shorter than a Business Feature but still written in our voice with a link to your site or offer. A great way to test the audience.

Monthly

Monthly Presence

Multiple placements across a month so readers see you again and again. Repetition is what turns awareness into visits. Our best value for businesses serious about the Salem market.

Beyond

Beyond the inbox

Instagram features to 40,000+ followers, featured slots on our events calendar, and event and video sponsorships. Ask about pairing these with your newsletter placement.

03 — How it works

From first hello to your feature going out, most sponsors launch within a week.

Step one

Tell us about your business

Fill out the short form below. We'll get back to you within one business day with availability and a recommendation that fits your goals.

Step two

We write, you approve

We draft your feature in the WHS voice so it reads like a genuine local recommendation. Nothing goes out until you've approved every word.

Step three

It ships, you get the numbers

Your feature lands in 10,000+ inboxes. Afterward you get a report with opens and clicks on your links.

04 — Do the math

An honest look at where a Salem business can spend.

Advertising budgets are finite. Here's how newsletter sponsorship stacks up against the other options.

05 — FAQ

Questions we hear a lot.

Who actually reads What's Happening Salem?

Salem locals who want to know what's happening in their city — new restaurants, events, local businesses and hidden gems. They subscribed on purpose, they open at roughly a 50% rate, and they act on what they read. If your customers live in Salem, they're in this audience.

How fast can my business be featured?

Often in the very next issue. Once we've agreed on a placement, we draft your feature, you approve it and it ships. The whole process usually takes less than a week.

Do I need to write anything?

No. We write your feature in the newsletter's voice because that's what readers respond to. You review it, request any changes and approve the final version.

How do I know it worked?

Every sponsor gets a report after their issue with total opens, impressions and clicks on their links — real numbers, not estimates.

What does it cost?

Placements are priced by format and frequency, and packages start at a level that makes sense for a local business testing a new channel. Tell us your goals in the form below and we'll send current rates and availability.

Is my competitor already in there?

Maybe. We work with one sponsor per issue in most categories, so the earlier you reach out, the more dates and placements you can pick from.

Let's get your business in the Salem inbox.

Tell us a little about what you do. We'll reply within one business day with rates, availability and a recommendation.

Something went wrong sending your inquiry. Please email us instead at jacob@whatshappeningsalem.com.

We reply within one business day. No spam, no pressure.

🍒

Got it. Talk soon!

Your inquiry is in. We'll reply within one business day with rates and availability.