Become a Ledger member today for next week's exclusive 'Legends of Charlotte' series
Become a Ledger member today for next week's exclusive 'Legends of Charlotte' series
Interviews with 5 Charlotte trailblazers who shaped our city — if you've thought about joining The Ledger, now is the time.
I hope you’re having a pleasant Saturday.
I’m dropping you a quick note to say that if you’re on The Charlotte Ledger’s free sign-up list, this will be the last email you get from us for the next couple weeks.
Next week, we’re starting a short series we are calling “Legends of Charlotte” — and it is only for paying members of The Charlotte Ledger. It is a series of interviews with trailblazers in politics and civic life, pioneering entrepreneurs and people who shaped Charlotte over the last few decades. We have great Q&As coming up with Harvey Gantt, Joan Zimmerman, Humpy Wheeler, Sue Myrick and Sis Kaplan.
It is similar in concept to what we did in April, when we had an “Entrepreneur Week” that featured interviews with Charlotte innovators including Hugh McColl Jr.
If that appeals to you, join us now as a paying member, and we’ll start sending you those next week. If not, we’ll resume your free versions of The Ledger later this month.
Here are 11 quick reasons why you should join:
Understand your city. The Ledger is run by two longtime Charlotte journalists who know this city well and can explain what’s happening and place the news in context.
Save time. We provide original local information, plus summaries of important news from other sources. You don’t have to check 10 websites every day to stay informed. Our newsletters get you up to speed.
Unlock full access. Paying members receive everything we produce, including our two new newsletters covering transit/transportation and offering local obituaries (if they want them). They’ll also be invited to events when those restart and have access to special members-only perks, like suggesting local charities to support around the holidays.
Support innovative local journalism. We are trying something new — delivering subscription-based local news via e-newsletter. We started an audio version on Spotify. We partner with all kinds of people in Charlotte to do innovative things: drone videographers, Charlotte is Creative, WFAE, QCity Metro, Jumbo and more. Some people complain about the decline of local news. We’re trying to help fix it by taking a fresh, modern approach.
Giving you ‘the scoop.’ We tell you important things before you read about them elsewhere — Robinhood opening an office here, a lawsuit at Myers Park Country Club, Phillips Place proposing an office tower to replace its theater, Price’s Chicken Coop and Zack’s Hamburgers imperiled … and a lot more, every week. Plus exploring important trends, exclusive investigations, in-depth looks at pressing issues and other features that help you understand the people and the forces that are shaping Charlotte.
Help us grow. With enough reader support, we can do more. We can add more newsletters, hire more reporters and do a better job providing smart and essential news to Charlotte.
Second email address. Members on our yearly plan ($99/year) receive a subscription for a second email address, collected by email after sign-up.
Not overrun with ads. We have no pop-up ads, no auto-play videos, no headlines that read like riddles and no suspiciously softball features that make you wonder if somebody paid us to write them (they didn’t). Our customers are readers like you, not big advertisers, which allows us the freedom to report honestly on large companies.
Not locked in. If you join and then later change your mind, you can always cancel. If you pay yearly, you can receive a prorated refund; if you pay monthly, the membership can end at the end of the month. Honestly, I’m a little nervous to tell you how easy it is to cancel — with an “unsubscribe” link at the bottom of each email — but I’m confident you’ll like it and stick with us, as almost everyone does.
Commitment to privacy. We don’t share your email address or other personal information with anyone. Among subscription publications in Charlotte, that sets The Ledger apart, unfortunately. A major Charlotte newspaper reserves the right to “disclose information about you … to business partners that engage in interest-based advertising.” A well-known Charlotte business publication says bluntly: “We rent, sell, share, and transfer Personal Information to list buyers who market their goods and services,” as well as to “advertising, marketing and sponsorship clients to market their goods and services.” Apparently, sharing your personal information is standard practice. We don’t believe in that, so we don’t do it.
Possibly expense-able or tax-deductible: If you find The Ledger useful to your work, you might be able to expense it to your company or deduct it on your taxes.
Thank you for reading. We would love to count you among our community of paying members, so you can receive all the benefits above, as well as the upcoming Legends of Charlotte series, full archives that include our Entrepreneur Week series, the complete Wednesday and Friday editions, the Tuesday Ways of Life obituaries newsletter … and more.
What they’re saying: Don’t just take our word for it. Axios Charlotte says The Ledger is an “outstanding read … delivered with the experienced (and entertaining) voice.” The Assembly noted that “with just two full-time staff,” The Ledger’s support from readers “has enabled the outlet to punch above its weight.” Our platform, Substack, says we’re a “thriving business” that has “paved the way for independent local news” delivered by email.
➡️ It’s $9/month or $99/year. We count more than 2,000 people as members — leaders in business, politics and civic life, and people who want to understand Charlotte better. Won’t you join us?
Happy Fourth. Have a great rest of your weekend.
Sincerely,
Tony Mecia, founder, The Charlotte Ledger
➡️ Learn more about The Charlotte Ledger
The Charlotte Ledger is a locally owned media company that delivers smart and essential news through e-newsletters and on a website. We strive for fairness and accuracy and will correct all known errors. The content reflects the independent editorial judgment of The Charlotte Ledger. Any advertising, paid marketing or sponsored content will be clearly labeled.
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Reporting intern: Lindsey Banks