We asked, and you answered: the results of last week's first-ever reader survey are in, and we are so impressed by the passionate responses — thank you from the bottom of our "soles."
One thing that became clearer to us as we were sifting through the survey responses, however, was that most of you (67%!) are only getting your Shoestring fix through our newsletter or by reading this blog. While I love writing our newsletter each week and sharing with you a few of my favorite new stories and happening events, and our daily blog is a fantastic way to keep tabs on what's happening "behind the seams" here at Shoestring, we have SO much more in store for you online on our website, on our Facebook page, and especially on our Twitter stream. Please check 'em out -- we think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Speaking of surprises, we also asked you what you thought of our newly redesigned website, in which we completely redesigned our top tabbed departments — like Travel and Eat & Drink — to look more like our home page. We also created new landing pages for special topics, like Weddings, driven by the tag cloud found on the right hand side of every page on our site.
Over the next few weeks, we'll be taking it even further by launching totally redesigned tabs and editorial departments, making it easier than ever for you to find the content you love the most from Shoestring staff writers each and every week, including our new monthly columnists: Romi Lassally of TruuConfessions.com, writing our Recession Confessions column; Christine Koh of BostonMamas.com, writing our Minimalist Mama column; Mandi Gerth of ShoestringHome.com, writing our DIY Home Decorating column; and so many more new columnists to come in the weeks and months ahead.
We loved that, overall, all of you (minus one naysayer) love the way Shoestring’s been going and frequently share Shoestring with your friends (98% of you said you would recommend us! Did I mention how much we love our readers?) We hope that you'll continue to spread the word by emailing stories and links, especially later this summer, as we wean off of our syndicated articles from the wires and publishing partners, going to all Shoestring, all the time.
Here are the top 10 types of articles that you wanted to see more of, some of which we already had in the works for later this summer and fall and can't wait to share with you:
1. Frugality (63%)
2. Travel (61%)
3. "The Look for Less" (59%)
4. Food & Wine (59%)
5. Home Decorating (57%)
6. DIY & Crafting (57%)
7. Freebies & Coupons (57%)
8. Health & Fitness (53% — watch out for a big story in July!)
9. “Eco Cheap” & Green (53%)
10. Entertainment & Events (49%)
Expect some great issues covering these and more exciting topics between now and the end of the year, and make sure to read our newsletter and follow us on Twitter for exciting updates on new local blogs and Shoestring events coming to a city near you soon. :)
If you didn't have a chance to answer our reader survey but have ideas and feedback for improving Shoestring, please leave us a comment below — we want to hear from you!
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