Advertising that actually works on marketplaces
Since 2018, thelocalstory has been helping sellers cut through the noise with structured, practical courses on marketplace advertising strategy — no fluff, no broad claims.
Built by people who ran real campaigns
thelocalstory started because the courses that existed didn't go deep enough. Most covered platforms at a surface level — basic dashboards, general tips. Nothing about what happens when your ACOS climbs unexpectedly or why your Sponsored Brand video stops converting after a week.
We built the curriculum from actual campaign data — pulled from real accounts, broken down session by session. Every module covers a specific decision point: bid adjustments, keyword tiers, attribution windows, negative match strategy.
The platform has grown into a structured learning environment supporting both individual learners and teams, with live instructor sessions you can actually ask questions in.
Where the platform stands today
The people who run the sessions
Instructors with first-hand experience in paid marketplace campaigns — not general marketing backgrounds.
Two formats, one consistent standard of depth
Group sessions run on a rolling enrollment basis — structured around a cohort so discussions have context. Individual sessions are scheduled directly with an instructor and move at whatever pace makes sense for the learner's current work.
Both formats use the same core materials, but live sessions go well beyond slides. Instructors bring campaign screenshots, walk through attribution discrepancies, and answer questions about specific product categories when relevant.
We've kept sessions small deliberately. The group tracks cap at 14 participants so instructors can respond to what's actually happening in the room rather than reciting a script.
What's open for enrollment right now
The current cohort covering Sponsored Products and Display strategy is actively enrolling. Individual track sessions are also available and can start within the week. Check the learning program page for full track details.