Curtiss Witt’s Local Media Power Builds Ecosystems Not Just Newsletters

As interviews continue with The Sensational Six, an exceptional group in Chad Nicely’s Entourage Mastermind, it is time to meet Curtiss Witt, co-founder of The Signal Media Group AI and Founder of The Black Friday Agency.

Curtiss shares how Letterman, Chad Nicely’s breakthrough newsletter software, became the launchpad for YumaSignal.com and his broader vision of civic publishing.

Curtiss brings clarity, consistency and execution to the Sensational Six. He is known for his ability to translate ideas into systems that deliver results. In our conversation, I saw how Curtiss leverages Letterman to build newsletters that not only grow subscriber lists, but also drive measurable business outcomes. His strength lies in combining focus with follow-through, showing that success comes from turning strategies into repeatable processes.

Join us now.

Carol: Curtiss, can you share what first drew you into Chad Nicely’s Entourage and what led you to start using Letterman?

Curtiss: I was drawn to Entourage because it wasn’t just about tactics — it was about building a real media asset that could scale influence, trust, and economics. As someone building an Agentic ecosystem across multiple verticals, I saw Letterman as a fast path to community-centered publishing that aligned with my “media-first” thesis. It wasn’t just a tool. It was a philosophy. Chad’s framing of Letterman as the modern-day town square lit me up. I started using it the same week I heard about it.

Carol: That’s powerful. Can you share a moment when Chad’s ‘town square’ vision really clicked for you? Maybe a story or reaction that made it feel real?

Curtiss: The moment the concept rang true for me was on one of our Mastermind calls. The notion of bringing people together for dialog (the democratic way), commerce and community as the trifecta of civic pride and honestly duty, became a mission for us.

Carol: As you’ve started putting Letterman into action, what’s been the most powerful or even surprising part of the experience for you?

Curtiss: The speed. We launched our first city newsletter (YumaSignal.com) within 48 hours of concept, and within a week we had a recognizable brand, daily trend-based content, and a monetization plan in motion. But what surprised me most was how naturally Letterman became the center of a broader civic identity engine. The cities weren’t just reading — they were sharing. That sense of ownership from the community? That’s the magic.

Carol: Love this! Can you describe one specific moment when you saw the community take ownership? Maybe an article that sparked unexpected shares or conversation?

Curtiss: We’ve received lots of feedback on how informative our publications are. Not from just reporting the news, but how we make the City the hero in every article we write. As a result, the feedback is that folks are learning more about their city than ever before.

Carol: Everyone brings their own strengths to the table. What do you feel you’ve brought to Letterman that helped you get results or set you apart?

Curtiss: I brought frameworks. From the 8Rs of Innovation to Fastvertising Articles and Marketing to Agentic Business Transformation, I approach each city like it’s a startup launch, with its own brand voice, publishing cadence, revenue stack, and cultural heartbeat. We don’t just write articles — we build ecosystems. I also see Letterman not as a publishing tool, but as an asset class capable of spinning off local influence, subscriber revenue, sponsorships, and eventually…acquisitions.

Carol: Interesting. If you had to explain one of those frameworks (like the 8Rs or Fastvertising) in just a few simple lines for someone brand new, which one would you choose?

Curtiss: The 8R’s for example is a series of eight virtual actions you could take on a product, process or service to “reinvent” the target in seconds. Using the 8Rs you can Instantly Innovate.

Carol: Subscriber growth is a huge part of Letterman’s success. Outside of Facebook, what have you tried, or are you exploring, to bring in subscribers? How is your approach different from what others are doing?

Curtiss: We use what I call the FastMarketing Flywheel, now branded as The Signal Loop. It has three core pieces: (1) Daily Fastvertised Articles that connect national trends to local life, (2) City Business Directories that spotlight trusted local services, and (3) a Weekly Newsletter that summarizes top stories, boosts civic pride, and promotes upcoming events. This loop makes each reader feel like part of a movement — not a mailing list. And that emotional hook drives organic growth far beyond any platform.

Carol: Love the phrase ‘part of a movement — not a mailing list.’ Any examples of how readers have responded that way, maybe a business directory success story or a community reaction?”

Curtiss: Yes, sure. The articles we craft are meant to foster civic pride. The directory is the natural extension of “buy from local businesses”. The feedback from several readers was that they understood not only why it was important to buy local, but how it was civic duty, as a thriving local economy helps all.

Carol: What drives your passion for entrepreneurship, and how does that show up in your work day to day?

Curtiss: I’ve always believed entrepreneurship is the highest form of service. It’s a way to translate insight into income, and community into legacy. My passion comes from helping under-leveraged people and places realize they don’t have to wait for permission. I work every day to create simple systems that turn cities into content studios, local businesses into micro-media companies, and readers into repeat customers. If I do it right, entrepreneurship stops feeling like a job and starts feeling like civic transformation.

Carol: Now that is clear and purpose driven. Thank you for that Curtiss and I’d say, you are well on your way. What’s one creative twist or strategy you’ve tried, whether with Letterman or your business, that really made a difference?

Curtiss: We flipped the lens: Instead of making ourselves the experts, we made the city the main character. Every article ties a trending cultural moment back to a local insight, from “fibermaxxing” to “slow living” to “no-spend September.” We write it like the city already is the trend. It’s part performance, part journalism, and part social proof — and the shares speak for themselves.

Carol: Great twist Curtiss. What’s been your favorite ‘trend flip’ so far, and how did the community react to it?

Curtiss: The trend flip that has gotten THE most feedback, traction and my favorite is “Grandma Core”. This is the trend where Millenials are taking up the hobbies of their Grandparents. Sewing, knitting, crocheting, fishing, hunting, scrapbooking, etc.

Carol: Wow the “grandma Core.” Now that is nice to hear for sure. Some of my most treasured moments and still valued teachings were with my grandmother.  It is so valuable when those precious experiences, “trends” and special traditions are learned and passed on from generation to generation, let alone what one learns themselves.

Continuing, if someone brand new came to you and asked how to succeed quickly with Letterman, what advice would you give them?

Curtiss: Start with The Signal Loop:
1. Fastvertise every national trend as a local story.
2. Build a City Directory that champions your business community.
3. Use your Weekly Newsletter as both recap and rally cry. Then? Show up like you already run the city. Don’t wait for permission. The people who win with Letterman are the ones who treat it like a media business, not a side hustle

Carol: Great step-by-step. If you could give one piece of advice to avoid the most common mistake with Letterman, what would that be?

Curtiss: When it comes to Letterman, release your inner child and have fun. The platform lends itself to being creative and innovative. Avoid the drudgery of making it seem like “work” and embrace the platform with the curiosity of a 6 year old. You’ll be happy you did.

Carol: Anything else you’d like to share that would be most helpful for those considering doing or having their own local newsletter and eventual niche newsletter?

Curtiss: Carol, there is what I call a News Desert in the US. There are over 40K cities without benefit of an organized local news entity. We are not only helping ourselves, but we are also helping the over 4M people stay informed and in touch. What could be a more worthy endeavor?

Carol: ’nuff said. Perfectly stated Curtiss.

As you can see, Curtiss turns cities into movements, building ecosystems, not just newsletters.

For further info or to contact Curtiss directly:

www.linkedin.com/in/curtisswitt

https://www.facebook.com/curtisswitt.curtisswitt

carol a santella

Carol A Santella is a Credibility, Recognition and Trust Building Positioning Strategist and Consultant for Individuals and Business Owners. A Best Selling Author, Health Consultant, and Publisher, Carol is also a Radio Show Host for Business Innovators Radio, Host and Founder of Inside with Carol covering Innovators and Trendsetting Influencers in the Fields of Business, Health and Wellness, Medicine, Leadership and Animal Related Industries. Carol is also a Contributor to Business Innovators Magazine, Small Business Trendsetters and the Founder of the Health and Wellness Leaders and Influencers Group; The Entrepreneur Exchange and is world renowned for her Acknowledgment and Recognition Model of those who stand out above the rest and assisting them with The Power of Positioning TM. Carol is the founder and operator of The Listener Network which now encompasses her health, communications, publishing and business consulting work.