Some big changes are coming

An update about this weekly newsletter – formerly known as Portuguese news in English, for estrangeiros.

Hello and happy new year!

It’s hard to believe but I’ve been talking to some of you for four years now. This newsletter has changed a lot from the early daily pandemic updates with case numbers and restrictions to the varied and engaging round-up of Portuguese news it is today.

Amid all of those changes over hundreds of editions, two things have always stayed the same: My commitment to keeping you up to date with trusted, easy-to-digest news and the price. Nothing will change regarding the first point but it’s come to a stage where I have to make some changes to subscriptions.

Thank you to my incredible paid subscribers

I’ve offered an optional subscription for some time now but it’s always been completely voluntary, more of a donation. I’m extremely thankful to my paid subscribers as they’ve allowed me to keep doing this for as long as I have. Thank you!

Currently, 2% of my subscribers are paid. I’ve realised that’s a figure I need to increase if I’m going to continue this service in the long-term.

A soft paywall

A paywall model is a change I’ve held off on for as long as possible and one that, frankly, makes me a bit nervous. So I’m planning to introduce one in the softest way I can think of. Free readers will still get access to a “light” version — the top story every week, plus one full newsletter a month. Paid subscribers will get the whole newsletter service, with a weekly digest and commenting.

At this stage, I’m planning to change things up from the start of February. It will bring consistency, certainty and a sustainable future to a publication that in the early days I wasn’t sure would last a week let alone four years.

What to do if you can’t afford to pay

I know €5 a month doesn’t seem like much but it’s too much for some people. If you can’t afford to pay but want to keep receiving the whole package, I understand. Just email me with the subject “Portugal Weekly subscription” and I can sort out a free subscription (I’m trusting everyone that can afford the small fee will not abuse this option).

One more big change — a new name

It’s not exactly “new year, new me” but it’s also time for a bit of a broader refresh. I’m updating things and introducing a new name.

After all, Portuguese News in English for Estrangeiros doesn’t exactly roll off the tongue, does it?

So starting now, you’ll be subscribed to:

Portugal Weekly

You shouldn’t need to make any changes on your end but it’s worth checking your spam folder for that first email just in case. (This should also sort out the issues some paid subscribers have mentioned where their bank statements say “Coronavirus News” or some confusing variant.)

I want to say a big thank you so much for reading and supporting me, whether you’ve been here for just a few months or all four years. Here’s to many more to come.

If you’ve read all this way and still need a refresher on who I am and what Portugal Weekly is, head to the updated About page.

Note: Next week’s edition will be arriving on Wednesday instead of Tuesday.