It's been six months since the San Diego Sun launched—with overwhelmingly positive feedback—as a free source of news features focusing on the city's downtown core.
Next up: Phase 2.
Beginning today, a paid-subscription component called The San Diego Sun: SpeakEasy, will offer targeted and curated news focused on urban San Diego.
Here's what will not change. The Sun will continue to provide free, twice-weekly stories about issues that matter to downtown San Diegans. Stories like:
Living In The City. These are Q&As with residents who weigh in on safety and infrastructure as well as the best restaurants and bars in the city.
Homelessness. Did you see our list of 2022's Homelessness Influencers? Or read about new affordable housing in East Village from Father Joe's Villages?
Where to Go and What to Do. The Sun has provided lists of Romantic Eateries, Top Pizza Places and Best Sports Bars. More service journalism to come.
The Sun's 3,500-plus current subscribers will continue to get free coverage delivered by email about big-ticket events, including Padres Opening Day, Comic-Con and music concerts at Petco Park.
Current and new subscribers now can upgrade or sign up to receive targeted, curated news via email focusing on downtown San Diego life.
News blurbs will expand The Sun's focus and cover politics, dining trends, movers and shakers, celebrity sightings, business transactions, insider scoops and more.
In addition, San Diego Sun: SpeakEasy will also curate and create exclusive deals at downtown establishments. Coupons. BOGO offers. And more.
The goal is for the deals featured on SpeakEasy to be worth more than the $4.99 per month price (A discounted annual rate of $49 is also available.)
A $4.99 monthly subscription will also allow the San Diego Sun to continue to publish free stories of worth to the community, and help support independent news coverage.
San Diego Sun founder Ron Donoho.
The San Diego Sun is produced by Ron Donoho (RonDon SD News) under the umbrella of the FACEBOOK-Bulletin project for independent journalists.
More than 25 local Bulletin writers like me are spread around the country. National Bulletin writers include futurist Malcolm Gladwell, sportscaster Erin Andrews, activist Malala Yousafzai, bestselling author Mitch Albom and journalist Jessica Yellin.
The San Diego Sun is a one-person, local endeavor.
I'm a downtowner who walks and bikes the city nearly every day.
My resume includes a decade-long stint as executive editor at San Diego Magazine. I also served as the top editor at San Diego Home/Garden Lifestyles and alt-weekly San Diego CityBeat.
My byline has appeared in the two dozen national publications and websites, including Men’s Health, Men’s Journal, Maxim, Glamour, huffpost.com and popsugar.com.
Locally, I've written for The San Diego Union-Tribune, San Diego Business Journal, Ranch & Coast, Pacific San Diego and sandiego.com.
I once taught a magazine class at Point Loma Nazarene University, served as chief content officer for Ballotpedia.org, and run a travel blog called Junkets & Jaunts.
My background is writing and media. Now with The San Diego Sun: SpeakEasy, I'm learning to be an entrepreneur.
The former is like riding a bike. The latter is more like riding a unicycle.
Thanks for your support. Please help spread the word. Your paid subscription will help me continue to peddle forward. SDSun
[COVER PHOTO: Getty Images]
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