Chris Crucial: I have an announcement!

PLUS: A poll for you!

Normally, this newsletter is my attempt to summarize the news you need to know from the day in politics. And it is for my paid subscribers only.

Today’s nightly newsletter is neither of those things. It’s free — and it’s not about the day in politics. But it is exciting!

I have been thinking very hard about how to get more of you to become paid subscribers. Because, candidly, I think what I am doing here is important — and unique. And also because, well, I am trying to support myself and my family with this newsletter.

One thing I have been trying to make work for a while now is a monthly Zoom call for paid subscribers. I am slightly technologically challenged so this took longer than it should have but I am happy to announce that the first of these calls is NEXT WEEK!!!!

Yes, next Wednesday night at 9 pm eastern — aka one week from today — I will host all paid subscribers for, well, a chat. I am still figuring out exactly what the format will be — I may talk briefly and then just take questions? — but I think it will be fun.

I will be doing this (at least) once a month. And I hope to bring on some special guests in future calls!

If you are a paid subscriber, I will send out the Zoom link next Wednesday afternoon via email. So make sure to look for it! If you aren’t a paid subscriber, now is the time to become one! It’s easy — just click here:

So, there’s that! I hope this is another way that paid subscribers can get more access to me. And that convinces more of you to become paid subscribers.

But, I also want to hear from you! If you are a free subscriber, what makes you more likely to become a paid one? And if you are a paid subscriber already, what might make you more inclined to renew when your subscription is up?

I made a poll with a few of the options I am considering. Please vote!

I recognize that those 5 options — that’s all Substack let’s me put in a poll — are insufficient in covering the entire landscape of incentives that might convince you to become an investor in this newsletter.

So, if you have an idea that would make you want to become a paid subscriber — or re-up your paid subscription — PLEASE let me know in the comments section below.

And, if you don’t feel comfortable putting your suggestion in the comments section — for WHATEVER reason — just email it to me at cillizzac@gmail.com.

Finally, I want to say thank you. One of the best things about this newsletter is the community we’ve built. Most days, the comments section is a place of thoughtful discussion rather than the name-calling, bullying and dunking that so much of the rest of political “conversation” on the Internet has become.

It makes me happy that we have a safe space where people can feel free to voice dissenting opinions without fear of being shouted down or shamed. That people from across the country — and the world — can come together to talk about politics and policy in a way that makes us all proud and smarter.

This is a special place. Please help me keep building it.