READY TO ACE YOUR CITY BLOG GAME?
DIY PRO is a comprehensive course designed for aspiring bloggers who want to create their own city publication… on their own time.
The ball’s in your court.
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BECOME YOUR CITY’S
TRUSTED SOURCE
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WORK FOR
YOURSELF
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BLOG WITH
CONFIDENCE
BUILD YOUR CITY’S GO-TO GUIDE AND BECOME THE LOCAL PRO EVERYONE TURNS TO.
→ You’ve been rallying with the idea of starting a city blog but need the perfect game plan to make your big move.
→ You already post about the coolest places in town, but don’t know how to monetize.
→ You want to turn your passion for local culture and businesses into a thriving online presence but need a clear strategy to make it happen.
→ You deserve to get wined and dined at all the hottest spots in town, you just need to get on that invite list!
INTRODUCING
~ DIY PRO
~ DIY PRO
Through step-by-step modules, in-depth video tutorials, and a fully customizable mock Squarespace template for 'Cityville,' you'll learn how to launch and monetize a professional city blog.
Backed by proven strategies from an industry expert who’s built a successful career doing exactly that, City Blog Academy’s DIY PRO empowers you to create a publication that showcases the very best of your city.
City Blog Academy’s DIY PRO covers everything from building your blog and growing an audience, to social media curation and securing brand partnerships.
With access to exclusive templates, customizable graphics, and ongoing community support through live Q&A sessions and a dedicated Facebook group, DIY PRO equips you with all the tools needed to build a successful, city-focused blog at your own pace.
DIY PRO INCLUDES
Website Setup
Learn how to build a professional city blog using our strategically designed customizable Squarespace template.
Audience Growth Strategy
Master proven techniques to grow a loyal local audience through collaborations, giveaways, and social media engagement.
Monetization Strategies
Discover how to generate revenue through ads, affiliate marketing, and brand partnerships (email templates included).
Content Creation Expertise
Get access to ready-made templates and guides for creating engaging articles, building a team, and crafting a content calendar.
Squarespace 101
Dive into video tutorials that cover everything you need to know about Squarespace - from hosting and branding to SEO and analytics.
Community & Q&A’s
Join an exclusive Facebook group and attend quarterly live Q&A sessions to get ongoing support and insights.
MEET YOUR COACH
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Lindsay DeLong is the Editor-in-Chief of Laguna Beach Living and Founder of the City Living Network, a growing platform empowering entrepreneurs to launch city-specific publications.
With over 20 years of experience in content creation, team management, and brand partnerships, Lindsay has transformed her passion into a thriving business.
It is her passion to help aspiring editors build influential, locally-driven blogs that generate revenue, secure press trips, and foster strong community connections.
Through City Living Network, Lindsay shares the proven strategies and insider tips that have turned her side project into a full-time career, inspiring others to take control of their own publishing dreams.
BY THE END THE COURSE YOU WILL HAVE:
NO. 1
Customized Your Website Template
You’ll learn how to customize your Squarespace template to reflect your city’s unique vibe, complete with your own branding, colors, and content.
NO. 2
Mastered the Art of Squarespace
You’ll learn all the essential features of Squarespace, from layout design to email marketing, ensuring your site runs smoothly and looks polished.
NO. 3
Launched Your Site
You’ll have successfully launched your city blog, ready to share the best of your local community with your audience.
NO. 4
Hosted a Giveaway
You’ll learn how to host and run a successful giveaway that engages your audience and builds strong partnerships with local businesses.
NO. 5
Sent Out Advertisement Emails
You’ll know how to confidently reach out to potential advertisers with professionally crafted emails, increasing the chances of securing valuable sponsorships.
NO. 6
Joined a Supportive Network
You’ll have become part of a community of like-minded city bloggers, offering collaboration opportunities, support, and shared growth strategies.
IN THE LAST 2 YEARS LINDSAY HAS HELPED WOMEN FROM 18 CITIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY LAUNCH PUBLICATIONS IN THEIR TOWNS.
She created this course as a DIY solution for aspiring local bloggers, small-town influencers, and community leaders who want to turn their passion for their city into a thriving, money-making publication.
Testimonials
Testimonials
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"Launching my publication on Maui has been one of the most fulfilling things I've ever done. Not only have I gotten to highlight all the businesses I love on this island, I've also made invaluable friendships."
- Kama, Maui Makai
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“My husband and I have established strong connections with community members, have sold dozens of advertisements to small businesses, and our family of 5 has received all sorts of invitations for events and press trips. It’s been a blast doing this as a family. My 8-year-old daughter wants it as a career!"
- Codi, Prescott Days
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“This has been so fun! Since starting I've hosted events, raised money for non-profits, and made some of my closest friends in town. I just celebrated my 1-year anniversary with a big party!"
- Angela, Las Vegas Parents Club
WHAT’S INSIDE
City Blog Academy’s DIY PRO is your playbook to create, grow, and ace a city-specific blog from the baseline to the final point.
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In this foundational module, you’ll set up your Squarespace website using the custom "Cityville" template. With video tutorials and guided customization strategies, you’ll build a professional blog that reflects your city’s unique personality and prepares you for launch.
Module No. 01
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Learn how to create buzz and grow a loyal following in your city. This module covers essential techniques such as partnerships with local influencers, hosting engaging giveaways, and using email templates and graphics to promote your blog effectively.
Module No. 02
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Creating compelling content is key to attracting and keeping an audience. This module will guide you through finding the right writers, photographers, and creatives, as well as provide content ideas and interview questions to ensure your articles are engaging and quick to produce.
Module No. 03
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Social media is one of the most powerful tools to grow your blog. In this module, you’ll learn to craft attention-grabbing graphics, source high-quality images, and develop a consistent editorial calendar. These strategies will help you build a visually appealing and cohesive social media presence that drives traffic to your blog.
Module No. 04
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Turning your passion into profit is a key focus of this module. You’ll learn how to create a media kit that sells, craft effective launch strategies, and build advertising packages tailored to local businesses. You’ll also dive into affiliate marketing, ad sales, and how to build lasting relationships with PR professionals.
Module No. 05
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Consistency is key to success. This module provides you with a 30-day launch strategy to build excitement, a six-month plan to maintain momentum, and a yearly content calendar packed with engaging blog ideas to keep your publication thriving long after the initial launch.
Module No. 06
FOR THOSE WHO WANT PERSONALIZED SUPPORT
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ADD THE PRO TOOLKIT
Our PRO TOOLKIT which elevates your blog game with personalized strategy calls, audits, and exclusive tools to hit every shot with precision.
→ Two 60-minute one-on-one strategy calls with Lindsay to get personalized advice, brainstorm ideas, troubleshoot any issues, and create a game plan for your blog.
→ Website, social media, and media kit audits, where Lindsay provides detailed feedback and recommendations to ensure your blog looks and performs at its best.
→ Full 2025 Content Calendar, providing you with a year-long plan for consistent, engaging content tailored to your niche.
→ Insider’s Guide to ChatGPT, helping you leverage AI for content creation, brainstorming, and research, streamlining your workflow.
Add the PRO TOOLKIT at checkout — it’s time to take your game to the next level.
GOT QUESTIONS?
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No, we do not offer refunds. Due to the digital nature of the course, all sales are final once you’ve enrolled. However, we’re confident that the comprehensive material will give you everything you need to launch and grow your city blog.
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You can choose from three payment plans:
Pay in full upfront.
3-month payment plan of $1,256/month.
6-month payment plan of $639/month.
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The PRO TOOLKIT (a $997 value) features:
two 60-minute one-on-one strategy calls with Lindsay
audit videos of your website, social media, and media kit
an insider's guide to ChatGPT
a 2025 content calendar.
Simply add it to your cart at checkout.
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With the DIY course, you can build a city-specific blog in any city of your choice, except for cities where City Living Network currently operates.
Currently cities with exclusivity agreements are: Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Prescott, Salt Lake City, Wilmington, Maui, and Naples.
For exclusivity rights for your city please inquire about our full service All-in-One package HERE.
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You’ll receive instant, lifetime access to the course as soon as your payment is processed. You can take the course at your own pace and revisit the materials anytime, including any future updates.
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City Blog Academy’s DIY courses give you all the tools and resources to create and run your city blog on your own, while our All-in-One package offers a done-for-you approach, including everything from site setup to content creation, and more.
The All-in-One package also includes city exclusivity for your chosen city and comes with personalized support with Lindsay, monthly Zoom calls with the Network, Annual Editor's Retreats and more.
Fill out this form to schedule a complimentary discovery call with Lindsay and see if our All-in-One service is the perfect fit for you.
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You’ll receive an email from Squarespace with an invite to access your custom "Cityville" template within 24 hours of your purchase. You’ll have 6 months to customize your template before it expires, giving you plenty of time to perfect your design and launch your site!
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Yes! By joining any of our DIY courses, you’ll gain access to our exclusive Facebook group where you can ask questions, connect with others in the course, and participate in quarterly live Q&A sessions with Lindsay.
If you opt for the PRO TOOLKIT, you’ll also receive two one-on-one coaching calls, as well as audits of your site, social media, and media kit.
*The PRO TOOLKIT is free with the DIY PRO course.
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All you need is a passion for your city and a desire to build a blog. The course will guide you through every step, from setting up your Squarespace site to monetizing it and growing your audience.
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Absolutely! If you start with the DIY STRATEGY or LITE course and later decide you’d like the extra support from our comprehensive DIY PRO course or full service All-in-One package, you can upgrade at any time.
Just reach out to hi@citylivingnetwork.com, and we’ll get you set up!
CITY EXCLUSIVITY CLAUSE
By purchasing City Blog Academy’s DIY courses, you agree to our Terms and Conditions, which include not creating city-specific publications in cities where City Living Network already has an exclusivity agreement. This ensures that each publication maintains its unique content and focus.
Cities covered under our exclusivity agreement include:
Laguna Beach, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Huntington Beach, Prescott, Salt Lake City, Wilmington, Maui, and Naples.
To secure exclusivity for your city, inquire about our All-in-One Package HERE.
JOIN ALL-IN-ONE
Looking for an all-inclusive, done-for-you service that will have your blog up and running in just 30 days?
Fill out this form to schedule a complimentary discovery call with Lindsay and explore if our All-in-One Package is the right fit for you.
Photos by Sunny Girl Studios.