Some obtuse commenters have been very concerned about the amount of traffic IP.com has been generating lately, even going so far as to say that our criticism of State Rep. Naomi Jakobsson and other Democrats for thier pension votes has somehow hurt our credibility and cost us readers - all because we don't swallow the standard Democrat talking points.
I do like to post periodic traffic updates, even though I'm certain they're completely uninteresting to anyone but me - but the growth of our readership over past eleven months just astonishes me. And I know we're small potatoes compared to Capitol Fax, Archpundit and Peoria Pundit, but we're not competing with those gentlemen, but (hopefully) complementing them.
For the record, we've been slowly but steadily increasing our traffic almost every week. Yesterday we rolled over 275,000 total visits (since we opened in January). Last week was our best week ever, with over 4,300 unique visitors and 17,000 total vists. I can still remember in January when I'd look at the counter and be able to tell when Matthew had visited - because he was one of about a dozen regular readers.
In addition, we've been "feeding" between 40 and 70 subscribers daily, who have been hitting the site sometimes 1,000 times in a day - much more regularly than standard visitors. That's the little button you see on the right that says, "XX reader
So, our traffic is way, way beyond what I had ever thought it would be, and I thank you for that. We wouldn't be growing without the buzz created by word-of-mouth and emailed posts and the active participation of our community.
Sometime after Thanksgiving, we're going to roll out a more active and comprehensive advertising sales policy and strategy. I'd like to get this site to the point where it will pay for itself, but that's probably asking too much. One thing is certain: developing a very locally-focused political website isn't a path to untold riches.
Thank you for reading and commenting and emailing and subscribing. And I'd like to invite each of you to conside starting a site of your own. The more independent, citizen journalists we have in our state and community, the more informed our political discourse will be. But even if you don't start off on your own - thank you very much for stopping by IP.com. We'll keep working to get better, and always welcome your suggestions.
Keep it up, IP! Just this morning I had to choose between flipping through the paper or surfing this site. I chose your site (again) and learned tons. The back and forth in these debates is excellent, if somewhat emotional at times.
But either way this is an excellent forum, though I find myself continually having less and less to say (to the delight of many, I'm sure). Something about being too public that is scaring me away (you know the feeling).
Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, and thanks again for all the hard work you do for us blowhards. We are in your debt.
~foley
I enjoy your site..I read it every day..It's good to see both sides of politics. Have nice Holiday.
Congrats on the growing audience, IP. Well deserved.
Take care, and have a Happy Thanksgiving. :-)
Thanks to each of you, and have a great Thanksgiving.
I think I have started around the same time as you did. This seems like great news congratulations. :)
Congratulations IP. This is a great site for local politics and issues. The word of mouth is growing. I hear about Dems and R's checking out the site (some won't admit it publicly)
:)
Here is a place where regular folks get to be heard and politicians say what they wish they could say to the press.
Yes. I must admit that this is an interesting site, despite all the conservatism. I only wish that similar local progressive websites were as lively and well-put together. Maybe there's something to learn form this "individual initiative" thing after-all!
(Such as how to spell "initiative," for example!)