Email - Fundraising - End of Year 2023 - CE - Email 1

Hi Capital Eats readers —

Ever heard of "branded content"? 

It's when a restaurant essentially writes its own review, pays a publication, and serves it up to you. Shockingly, many local news outlets in Canada rely on this practice. It’s a huge part of social media content you see online. It’s a huge part of news publication’s revenue.

This system rewards restaurants with money, and leaves hidden gems that might be struggling in the dark. And we want our readers to be getting honest, unfiltered reviews of the best places to eat in Ottawa. 

That’s why we never take money to review a restaurant as if it were a normal review. We clearly label what is and isn’t an ad. And we don’t do branded social media content.

But there is a drawback. Compared to other outlets, we miss out on a huge chunk of ad revenue. We wouldn’t change a thing - but it means we rely heavily on paid subscribers. Lucky for you, by supporting us, you unlock premium reviews and guides we keep behind a paywall.

Yes, we might be making things tougher for ourselves. But we'd rather be honest than deceive you.

Right now, Ottawa Lookout and Capital Eats are doing our year-end fundraising. It’s the time of year, we crowdfund most of our funding for the year.  We’re aiming to bring on 250 members by Dec. 31 to cover our expenses, grow our journalism, and bring you the best Ottawa has to offer. 

If you value what we do and want to see us uncover even more of Ottawa’s hidden gems, consider becoming a member today for 21 percent off your first year. (Don’t forget, a membership also unlocks our exclusive Insider Food newsletter and premium reviews!).

Look, if you’re happy with restaurant listicles and paid-for reviews, we get it. But if you enjoy the type of recommendations that our food editor, Ralf, brings you week in and week out, we really do need your help.

Ralf reviews dozens of different haunts and hang-outs every month, driving all across town. Many don’t even make it into the newsletter. And we pay for the meals and drinks. We’re happy to have that money going to small local businesses, which to be frank, we all know have been struggling the past few years.

But the expenses do add up. For a small publication like ours, with a shoestring budget, it’s a costly part of our work. 

By becoming a member,  fund our reviews independently, free from influence, and allow us to give back to our community's lesser-known restaurants. Plus, you'll unlock our top-notch content:

• Insider Food: Early access to restaurant reviews, special insider-info like drink, wine and beer recommendations around town, with undiscovered spots. You’re doubling the number of restaurant recommendations you receive!

• Insider City Hall: A newsletter breaking down the people, players, movers and shakers of municipal politics, and how city policies impact you

What do you say? Will you become a member today and ensure we can bring you the news and hidden gem reviews that unlock the potential of Ottawa?

Join now to support our end-of-year crowdfunder. We’re still 112 members short of our 250 member goal.

Cheers,

The Capital Eats Team.