A Couple of Things
Live and learn. We launched Brooklyn Record almost exactly a year ago with the idea that there was a whole lot of stuff going on in Brooklyn that had little to do with real estate and that wasn’t being adequately covered in any one blog. We still think it’s a valid concept but we’ve decided…
Live and learn. We launched Brooklyn Record almost exactly a year ago with the idea that there was a whole lot of stuff going on in Brooklyn that had little to do with real estate and that wasn’t being adequately covered in any one blog. We still think it’s a valid concept but we’ve decided to leave it to someone with deeper pockets to try and to stick to our knitting here at Brownstoner. It’s been hard trying to support two brands and creating artificial boundaries editorially; frankly, it’s also proven a lot harder to support a general interest blog with advertising. Going forward, some of the things we’ve been putting in the Brooklyn Record basket in recent months—like storefront openings and closings and the more human-interest side of real estate, for example—will find a home under the Brownstoner umbrella. Other topics, like kick-boxing classes and indie rock concerts aren’t going to make the cut.
In other news, we’re in the process of upgrading the site to a new system that will dramatically improve the user experience and strengthen the sense of community. Within the next few weeks, readers will be able to have their own profile pages which they can use to track comment threads, upload photos of their house or apartment and connect directly with other readers. The new system will also make the Forum much more flexible and user-friendly. We can’t wait.
Onward and upward.
Mr. B
Mr. B: I am envious of your success and know you will do well. As a marketing person (as much as I hate to admit it)Brownstoner is more a brand that encompasses everything that includes everything that makes people love “Brownstone Brooklyn” — no matter your personal architectural taste, where you live, what you can afford. There are a lot of neighborhood blogs that can be linked in as necessary. It will be great!
Bum-mer! I never read Brownstoner, but Brooklyn Record has been my first stop every morning and the best way to learn about openings, closings, new stuff, new people, etc.
I think it’s a mistake to think that every blog needs to build community. For the most part, I don’t have the time or interest in that and often find that the comments section can become a juvenile free-for-all.
But thank you for a great year and good luck.
Thanks for your sweet posts, Kara and Lisa. You and the rest of the crew have been awesome to work with, and whatever struggles Brooklyn Record had in finding its voice and audience, it was great to share the experience with you. Thanks to all the site’s fans and the nice commenters above, too–you made all those caffeine-addled mornings worthwhile!
woe is me. I checked Brooklyn Record every day and almost never read Brownstoner. I liked the local neighborhood interest stories. well, that will give me back 20 min/day when I should have been working.
Is there any way you can cover restaurant openings on Brownstoner?
Yes, I am a sad sack. And perhaps bitterly resentful that, despite the promise of giving me a life, Brooklyn Record failed — and I am still the same lifeless sack of sad I was a year ago.
So disregard all I said. I will try to keep my seething self-hatred to myself.
But I still LOVE Brownstoner way way better.
YES definitely bring the stroller mom bashing to Brownstoner.
ALSO: I loved that sidebar you once had on Brownstoner featuring your favorite businesses “Salvage, Furniture” etc . . . What happened to that? Can you do one like that which is frequently updated and has your fav restaurants, cafes etc? it’s just so nice to be able to go to the main page, look to the left, and immediately get your qualified opinion on a good neighborhood juice bar, or locksmith.
9:40 you are a sadsack. you needed brooklyn record to just get a life
Thanks so much Kara! And Jonathan and Christy–big fat thanks for being so awesome to work with…I will forever have a soft spot in my heart for all those who commented on how much they hate Mikey’s Hook Up! Good times. They will be sadly missed.