TheBurg staff, from left, Maddie Conley, Kelsey Tatge, Lauren Maurer, Larry Binda and Megan Caruso.
Today is a very special day for TheBurg.
Today marks the beginning of something we’ve been planning for a long time—our new membership program, Friends of TheBurg.
We began pondering a membership program some time ago, and, over the winter, seriously put the gears into motion, expecting to launch in May and June.
Well, as I’m sure you know, times have changed a lot over the past few months.
Originally, we had several reasons to start a membership program. We wanted to connect even closer with the central PA community and with our readers and fans, and we wanted a more solid platform on which to build an events business.
In addition, over the years, many people have asked me how they could help support TheBurg, since all of our products and services are free to the public. This seemed to be a good way for those who wished to contribute to our mission of serving this community.
Honestly, we never thought a membership program would be much of a moneymaker. If it did earn us a few extra bucks—fantastic. We put hiring a new reporter high on our wish list so we might be able to offer even better coverage of the greater Harrisburg area.
That financial component, unfortunately, now has become far more critical, which is why we decided to launch earlier than we had planned. The news business already was very challenged, and, since mid-March, all newspapers, including ours, have seen ad revenues drop precipitously.
So, if you can, I hope you’ll support us and become a “Friend of TheBurg.” Besides helping us survive this crisis, you’ll receive some great benefits.
- A cool “Friends of TheBurg” tote bag, with original art by local artist Amie Bantz (pictured)
- Your name listed as a supporter in every issue of TheBurg magazine, starting in June (with your permission)
- An invitation to our launch party and to an annual Friends of TheBurg social
- Free and discounted tickets to Friends of TheBurg events
We had hoped to have a social along with the start of the program, but, obviously, we can’t do that now. But I promise you this. Once this terrible time is over and we’re allowed to gather again as friends—when we’re able to talk and toast and enjoy one another’s company and our community—we plan to throw one heckuva launch party!
Click here to become one of the first “Friends of TheBurg!”
Lawrance Binda is co-publisher/editor-in-chief of TheBurg.
