HomeStation Welcomes Its Thirty-Thousandth Unique Visitor
by NorseGamer, HSM Editor-in-Chief
Yup, you read that correctly. Thirty-thousand.
When we started out, no one really gave us much of a chance at success. And, certainly, no one had ever tried to pull off what we were attempting: the production of a polished, mature, literate and professional publication that would rigidly adhere to a high standard, with a new story published every single day. Something that people would genuinely look forward to reading, and something which the people involved in its creation would be proud to be associated with.
To quote JFK, we do these things not because they are easy, but because they are hard.
There are several excellent fan projects devoted to Home, many of which enhance the user’s enjoyment of the service. Forums, social networking sites and beyond. Yet up until HomeStation, no one had ever really tried — let alone succeeded — to maintain daily journalism coverage of Home with unique stories that couldn’t be found elsewhere. And there are numerous challenges to doing so, not the least of which is finding really talented writers, artists and filmmakers who see the same vision and are willing to put in the constant work necessary to see it come to fruition.
For this, I am enormously grateful for the team that I get to serve. HSM is a remarkably cohesive team of people, nearly all of whom hold significant credentials and private-sector experience in the real world. We’re not a bunch of loose-cannon fanboys with more enthusiasm than common sense, all looking for some piece of the spotlight; we’re a band of professionals who collectively created the sort of Home publication that we ourselves wanted to read.
And, judging from the visitor numbers, I’d say we’re not alone in our hunger for a mature and literate publication devoted to Home, with an unabashed pro-Sony and pro-Home bias. This doesn’t mean that we shy away from criticism — heck, anyone who’s read my own review of the Mansion knows that we don’t pull punches — but we always come from a position of thoroughly enjoying Home and wanting it to succeed.
Still, though. Thirty-thousand unique visitors.
It’s only August!
Keep in mind that, project to date, we actually passed thirty-thousand visitors some time ago. This is strictly the year-to-date number.
It’s also worth noting that our audience, from the first quarter to the second quarter of 2011, literally more than doubled. No matter how you slice it, the HSM audience is growing. Just as the HSM team is growing.
To that end, I’m announcing the creation of a new opening within the ranks of HSM: Team Photographer.
The ideal candidate should have a background in Photoshop (as well as, hopefully, Adobe InDesign), be proficient with in-Home photography methods, have sufficient time in Home to produce photography and artwork as needed, and be willing to assist with art design for magazine issues.
Most publications I’ve worked on in the past have staff writers and staff photographers; and while HSM’s team writers are responsible for producing their own in-Home photos to go with their articles, we do have guest contributors who submit material to HomeStation as well. And, further, there are some articles which would benefit tremendously from having a third-party photographer present. We’ve now grown to the point where having a team photographer is more or less a necessity.
Olivia_Allin, from within the ranks of HSM, has already taken one of the team photographer positions. We are, however, looking for a second photographer as well. If you think you have what it takes, then prepare a sample portfolio of your work and let us know!
By the end of the year, I hope to be able to announce that HSM has broken the fifty-thousand-visitors mark. I’m confident we can achieve it together.
From all of us at HomeStation, thank you for coming with us on this ride. We hope to continue to serve you for some time to come. Aloha!
August 21st, 2011 by NorseGamer | 11 comments
NorseGamer is the product manager for LOOT Entertainment at Sony Pictures, as well as the founder and publisher of HomeStation Magazine. Born and raised in Silicon Valley, he holds a B.A. in English/Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and presently lives in Los Angeles. All opinions expressed in HSM are solely his and do not necessarily reflect the views of Sony DADC.
LinkedIn
Twitter
30k. Amazing. Moving along at light speed and growing a fan base of awesome Home users.
So proud of HSM and its wonderful team nay family. The numbers are amazing and the quality that drew those numbers is just as amazing. Just one of many landmarks HSM has in its future! Norse and Terra, it is a honor to work with two people I respect so much and love even more. I am proud to call you my coworkers but the fact that you are both such good friends is the icing on the cake…mmmmm cake! I look forward to creating with you and the rest of the team.
Proud to be one of many!
Thanks, HSM.
And thank you for reading!
Many thanks to the Home and Gaming community that has tuned into the HomeStation over the past months. Keep tuning in as the best is yet to come..
To the Team and Guest contributors, Thank you for your help in building HSM. Your work has been the foundation of this sites success. You all have pulled off many amazing accomplishments with in such a short time.
None of this would be possible without the tireless efforts of HSM Editor in chief: Norsegamer. Hes not just that funny voice on the UPLOAD pod cast, he does so much more. He has selflessly worked countless hours, days, weeks and months to bring HSM and its team to unimaginable heights. It is his efforts and dedication to HSM that has inspired and continues to inspire the entire team, to continually improve and showcase the best of the PlayStation and Home community.
Congrats to the HSM team, and a Big thank you to all the readers that have tuned into the HomeStation.
Reaching this landmark is astonishing. I am so proud of everyone in the magazine and all that we have accomplished as a group. It is amazing to think that this has been accomplished in such a short time, and much of the credit has to be given to Norse who had the vision, Mike who had the artistic skills and know how, and now to Terra as well, all who work tirelessly to make what the rest of us do as good as it can be.
I too want to thank the other writers and the readers for their continued support and incredible loyalty to what started out as a fanzine, but has become so much more than that. HomeStation has become a voice of reason for all of the people in Home and apparently the people are listening and enjoying the ride along with us. Well Done!
WOW 30k unique visitors? That’s a milestone for sure and a testament to this online magazine’s success. Great job HSM! WOOT WOOT!!!
Its good to be a part of something which is really growing. And I think the team is growing not only just in number, but in confidence, and I can also see that in you too Norse. Fantastic achievement.
What a milestone! Next stop!!!… Mean Bean Brewers… I need a latte.
always a pleasure to read all of hsm contributors!^^
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhYvdT6fmIE
Glorious!