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Local tech founder pitches GoList classifieds to return ad dollars to neighborhood news
Summary
Dan Olson told the Webster Groves BDC/Chamber that his GoList platform (golistnews.com) will let local businesses buy user‑updated classifieds that route ad dollars to community outlets; the Quad Chamber already links to a live area page and Olson asked for media contacts and promotional help.
Dan Olson, who identified himself as the founder of a company called Golis and said he is working with the Chamber, introduced GoList (golistnews.com) as a new, user‑updated business classifieds platform aimed at routing social‑media advertising dollars back to local journalism and community institutions.
"Our overarching goal is to take social media advertising dollars and return them to local journalism outlets, such as public radio and newspapers," Olson said, describing a system where businesses choose demographic targets and listings can appear across high‑school, college, regional and local papers. He told members the Quad Chamber area page (thequadchamber.com) already links to an active GoList area information site and that nonprofits have begun posting.
Olson said each newspaper participating would be paid individually and that the start of the rollout focuses on the Chamber network, with plans to expand to St. Louis and later nationally. He distributed QR‑coded guitar picks that link to the app and asked attendees for introductions to local public radio stations, newspapers and other outlets that could amplify the launch.
Olson warned of a familiar two‑sided challenge for local platforms: "you need businesses to post in order for people to look at it, and you need people looking at it in order for businesses to post." He invited suggestions and left materials for follow‑up.
Members asked about the Chamber link and were given the site URL during the public comment period. Next steps discussed at the meeting included collecting media contacts and cross‑promotion through the Chamber calendar and newsletter.
