Happy New Year! Every year since starting Flagler News Weekly the new year is a chance to look back and reflect on how far we’ve come and what we still have to accomplish as a news organization serving Northeast and Central Florida.
First the stats.
I don’t know what other media outlets are doing as far as statistics, but Flagler News Weekly is drawing readers. Readers looking for this kind of news, positive news.
Our first year in operation (2021) we logged 5.6 million visits and were pretty stoked. In 2022 we closed out with 17.7 million visits, triple our first year in operation, with 384,000 unique visitors. That’s pretty good. Now think about how many of those people were returning, daily readers to equal 17.7 million visits. We broke 2 million for the first time in March 2022, a milestone for the news platform.
We’re now averaging between 1.6 -2.3 million visits a month, and 2023 didn’t disappoint. Hitting 2 million+ for three months in a row in August, it was a quick pipe dream, hoping to break 3 million hits as a Thanksgiving blessing. Not only did we break it, we ended up with 3.7 million in November, and preliminary numbers for 2023 put us at 25,171,878 hits. (Final updated January 1, 2024: 25,928,623)
In three years as an independent digital media platform, we have continued to grow our readership with trusted, accurate and timely delivery of the news happening here and across Florida. Why is this important? It reaffirms the belief that readers want honest, local journalism in their community.
I have to personally thank every single person who reaches out with a story, tip or idea. You are part of what ensures our community is educated on the issues that matter and feel connected to each other through shared ideas and values.
I am honored to have established the trust with our community over nearly 15 years of news reporting that allows you to feel comfortable enough to share your stories and confident that they will be told from your perspective, accurately.
As we head into 2024, please know the news will always be available to you without a paywall or subscription, and for that we thank the advertisers who help support Flagler News Weekly. They too believe in the value of honest journalism and are appreciated.
We would also like to thank our weekly columnists. Dr. Joe Saviak’s #LeadershipLessonswithDrSaviak each Tuesday are priceless lessons for our business and nonprofit communities, aspiring young professionals and experienced leaders looking to develop their team, filled with excellent information. Our Friday columnist, Captain Adam Morley, President of the Flagler Sportfishing Club, does a thorough job keeping readers updated with the Friday Fishing Report, and has reeled in Chris from Skinny Water Lures for additional fishing information. You can’t go wrong with two pros.
We must lastly thank you, the reader, for proving that there is a desire for good news stories to be told. Each media outlet has their niche and Flagler News Weekly has led the way with positive news in our community for the past three years. We hope you will continue to enjoy reading and sharing the stories and articles with your family, friends and neighbors. We couldn’t do what we do without you.
We would also like to invite you to tune in to our companion media outlet Flagler Broadcasting where we host the weekly radio show Lifeline, connecting you to positivity in our community. Each half hour show’s airtime is provided at no cost to an area nonprofit organization by our show sponsors, the true lifeline between the nonprofit and our community. Their support allows a nonprofit to share their mission, upcoming events and more with thousands of listeners each Saturday at 9:00 a.m. on 94.9 FM or streaming on the web, worldwide, at www.FlaglerRadio.com.
As you can see, for us it’s been a busy 2023 and we’re looking forward to an even busier 2024. Thank you for adding Flagler News Weekly as a source for your local news!
Have a blessed and prosperous new year,
Danielle Anderson
Publisher & Editor Flagler News Weekly
