The Future of WryteStuff and for the Horsts
Posted: Monday, October 17, 2011
by Bruce Horst
WryteStuff
This past week started a new chapter in my life. No longer able to rely on Google to supply massive amount of readers to this website, I've decided that to provide a steady income for me and my family I needed to give up the fantasy life I was living and find a real job.
Before I officially started looking for a job, I asked a friend of mine if he had a position in his medical technology support business for another programmer. Within 2 days I had lunch with the manager of the programming department (also a long-time friend) and 3 days after that I had an excellent job offer. Ironically, this business is the same business which has been maintaining the servers which make this website possible. WryteStuff has nothing to do with medical support, but since the owner of the business is a friend, he has been providing the hosting service for my servers for a few years.
What does this mean to the writers in this writers' community? Well, I'm not completely sure how it will all play out. I still think the best days are ahead of us, but they will be different than days from the past.
I won't be able to respond to email as quickly as before (and I didn't usually respond very quickly before!) I'm probably only going to be able to work on improvements over the weekends, and I'm already way behind on my to-do list. I plan on spending many weeknight evenings reading a leaving comments, something that I haven't had the time to do much of lately.
I expect that future improvements to the website will help it become more of a self-serve type website. We already have some great group leaders in place to help encourage writers, but we need more. I've relied on the group leaders a lot over the past month and they've done great. Do you like to encourage people and set group goals? Please let me know which group you'd like to lead.
With this change I no longer need to wrangle every last penny out of the revenue from the site. I'm now more able to share the advertising revenue. The system isn't complete, but if you're a popular, active writer on this site and you would like to display your AdSense ads on your articles instead of the default ads, this is now possible. Send me an email if you want to participate.
I hope what I've started here will continue for years and years to come, but I can't make that happen by my own will power. If this website serves a legitimate purpose and is useful for many people, it will happen.
As a side note, the servers that physically hold the software bits and the processing power that make up this website are located about 20 feet from my new desk (through 2 walls.) As I work at my desk, I think about C.S. Lewis' Wardrobe as though you all are right there in that server rack and all I need to do is open the door to see you. Yeah, I know, it's bizarre but I've got a pretty active imagination and that's how it seems to me!
Overall, I expect that there won't be much that changes on WriteStuff because of my new job, and I expect the site to continue to be a great outlet for writers to practice their skills and gain a following for a long time to come. Jean and I are particularly appreciative of your friendship these days. For those who have been here since the beginning, and those of you who have come by since, we appreciate you.
This Article has been viewed 747 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
More commentsI know I've been around a while and sorry that traffic and revenue has taken a hit. What I would suggest to everyone is work on building authority to your articles. That will help your article and the site as a whole.
Maybe with some concentrated effort we can help Bruce retire back to the site. :O)
Glad you had a network of friends to reach out to that had a good opportunity. Also a good lesson. Often relationships are everything.
Good luck, but I hope we can help turn this back around.
cd :O)Thanks Chris. Yeah, it's all good... but it would be nice to retire on this site!
» left by Wayne and Judy Bayliff
217 days 7 hours ago.
8 fans. Follow Wayne and Judy Bayliff on twitter!Bruce,
Good luck at your new job. We know you will do your best to keep WryteStuff the professional website you have made it.
Wayne and Judy
hi there Bruce,
First of all my deepest thanks for making me part of searchwarp. Truth to tell your site is the first site that warmly accepted me as a writer even if I m from the far east. I also met so many friends here, Americans mostly, and the good ones too. I have no plans yet with regard to being a leader but I thought it wouldn't be whimsical to state my attention. Kindly count me in as one of your leaders, if able, and i can pitch in whtever contribution i can give. More power to you and your family.
All the best
acepinoy
It's good to know who "The man behind the curtain" is, with so many other Niches out there that remain anonymous or silent - until something alerts them to emailing or contacting you in full public view of other Submitters - then tell you that the 'Creators' of the website don't take too kindly to Angela Lansbury jokes (Private joke, Bruce, she's a lovely woman).
Personally, I wish you all the luck in the world, and please don't read my Articles on "Global Recession" they may redirect your ambitions and goals in this unbalanced world.
Wrytestuff (Thanks to ALL the Subscribers) will flourish, succeed and prosper.
Thank you for keeping us up to speed and congratulations on your Job position, too.
The providers of the new path are blessed to have YOU. I continually keep my eyes open for the employer who is intended to be blessed by me. Until then, ....On the road again.
I feel I can still email you or Jean or both of you for assisted direction with any problem, related to WS or not.
Bruce,
The very best of luck on your new position.
I missed this article, Bruce, so I didn't even know about you having to get a job. I'm sure it's been a really difficult decision to make, but it's brave of you to have made it. I'm glad for both you and Jean that you got a good job.
Perhaps not having the strain of trying to make WryteStuff pay will open the door to unforeseen opportunities. You have both created an amazing thing here, at SW / WS and for that you can be muchos proud.
I feel sad at the change, and still mad as a snake at Google. Glad you're still around. Best of luck and everything good for your new job.Thanks Jen. It's definitely bitter-sweet. The job is a really good job, very well suited to me, and my co-workers are great. I just didn't expect I would ever have to work for someone else again ever in my life. I guess that was naive of me.
I asked Teresa how in the world I missed this piece - then figured it out - I was in my after surgery drug induced stupor! I had no idea that you got a job too - knew Jean did. Our hearts are with you two and just glad you were able to get such a good fit for your many talents so quickly! May the Lord go before you and prepare the way and bless you incredibly as you have blessed your Family which has aggregated around you on this site - Marijo
Life trips us up over and over- Realizing this as a probability ahead of time-can somewhat cushion the blow- I always told my kids- "don't over-expect from life, or you'll be disappointed constantly- hope and blind belief are two different things. Don't ever give up on your greatest dreams-however you may have to change them up. Best of that thing we call 'Luck." Always- Ella
Bruce, some of the greatest accomplishments in life are knowing when to step back to make changes. You have started something great and will always be responsible for Wrytestuff's success. Now is the time to "relax" so that you can enjoy some personal success, albeit in a different venue. Thanks for giving all of us such a great avenue to share our thoughts and words.
Jim Fargiano
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