Jul
22
2011

Thanks For Everything

An article by Joe D

If someone were to ask me how many Mets blogs and sites there were when MetsMerized first started, I would have probably guessed 10-12 and half of those sites are not even around anymore. It’s amazing how much has changed over the years.

Today I would say there are well over 100 different Mets sites on the web. There isn’t a team in all of baseball that gets as much coverage as the New York Mets – just ask SportSpyder who gathers them all in one convenient site.

The reason I bring this up is because Mets fans today have it really good. You have dozens upon dozens of great choices to get your fill of Mets news and opinion. There’s a lot of great sites out there.

I just want all of you to know that me and everyone else behind Mets Merized Online are grateful for your support. Our readership and traffic continues to break new records every month. Just this month alone we topped 300,000 page views five times already – that’s 1.5 million when you do the math.

We know you have many choices and we want to thank you for continuing to make Metsmerized one of those daily stops. Our analysis tells us that the average MMO user checks back to read our site over five times a day with some users coming back 10+ times a day. That’s incredible.

I got an email the other day from a reader who wrote,

I’ve been coming to MMO for years, but lately you guys are posting like you are on speed. I was going to complain about all the posts, until I realized each of them were so compelling that I found myself being engaged and even commenting on many of them. So consider this praise. I love your site.

I get a dozen emails a day from readers, and I eventually reply to every single one of them, but I must admit – emails like that are my favorite.

An advertiser recently told me it was remarkable that we get as much traffic as we do with no real sponsor. I smiled and simply said “timely, opinionated, passionate content with a dash of personality, will do it all the time”. And for that I must turn to all of our incredible writers without whom this site would not have achieved the heights that it has.

Writers come and go on Metsmerized and it’s been that way from day one. But each one of them leave an indelible mark on our site that only adds to our character and feeds our diversity which our readers love the best about us.

I’m waiting to get back some more responses from a survey we are conducting, and I couldn’t help but cheat a little and look at some of the responses to our questionnaire. Longtime readers of MMO will know I always say this site is reader driven. It’s true. Just about every significant change or addition on this site, originated due to an email or comment from a reader. I always call MMO a community and a fan site, and not just a blog, and I mean it. In real communities all ideas are considered and that’s what we try to do here. We are over 11,000 different readers strong.

Before the month is out we will have the Live Scoreboard on the site and some new modifications will be added in the way we integrate with social media. MySpace, with whom we’ve had a longstanding relationship and mounted 20,000+ friends has been eased out a long time ago as newer mediums like Twitter and Facebook became preeminent. Look for us to implement some new ways to integrate everything and make your experience on MMO more interactive and enjoyable.

It isn’t easy maintaining a giant of a site out of pocket with no major sponsor, but I want to thank those of you who realize that and have chipped in to help keep us thriving and afloat.

I just thought I would reach out to you all – one on one – like this, and let you know how grateful I am for helping us to grow what was once a personal Mets blog, into this thriving Mets community and fansite it has become today.

Thanks to all of you for everything!

About the Author: Joe DeCaro

I'm a lifelong Mets fan who loves writing and talking about the Amazins' 24/7. From the Miracle in 1969 to the magic of 1986, and even the near misses in '73 and '00, I've experienced it all - the highs and the lows. I started Mets Merized Online in 2005 to feed my addiction. Follow me on Twitter @metsmerized.

11 Comments + Add Comment

Justin Silberman July 22, 2011 at 5:27 pm

This was great to read, just great seeing the fan and reader appreciation. As both a writer and reader here at MMO it’s been a pleasure writing for you Joe and engaging with the fans of the site on not only my posts, but my colleagues as well. It shows a lot of character on your part really taking the time to sit down and thank everyone here at MMO and the loyal readers and fans of the site! I’m happy to be a part of MMO and look forward to the future to see what MMO does as the site evolves.
Kelly H July 22, 2011 at 5:32 pm

Thank you Joe D. You make MMO what it is and it wouldn’t be the same without you and your distinctive style and opinions! LGM!
Annie Savoy July 22, 2011 at 5:36 pm

I should be thanking you, Joe for all you do for your writers. You are the best editor I’ve ever had, and I’ve written for most of the papers in the NY area.

Now that I have the time I much prefer sportswriting which my Dad would have loved to have me do. He was the one who took me into Yankee stadium as a toddler (He was a Yankee fan) but when the Mets arrived, they won my heart.

So, here I am writing about a team which has little history, not a lot of recognizable players and is always in some kind of mess.

But they have great fans, and I mean that – and I’m one of them.

So, thanks Joe for all you’ve done for all of us who write – it is much appreciated.
Ed Leyro July 22, 2011 at 7:41 pm

Without getting the opportunity to blog here at MMO, I never would have had the courage to start Studious Metsimus. I will always be grateful for Joe and Kelly for giving me that opportunity. So here’s a big THANK YOU to everyone associated with MMO for all you’ve done and all you will continue to do!
Satish Ram July 22, 2011 at 8:11 pm

You’re very welcome, but you really do deserve the thanks.

I started 3 years ago… I was 14. Nobody would have given a 14-year old the opportunity to blog on a site that would get so much traffic. I will never forget the advice you’ve given me and the opportunity you gave me.

I’m proud to be part of MMO today.
Brandon Butler July 22, 2011 at 9:16 pm

Joe,

When i first joined MMO, i wasn’t sure if i was going to fit in well with you guys. I know how all of you have different styles of writing but after having you and i email each other back and forth, i was then able to become comfortable and fit in with you guys. I honestly felt nervous and scared because i said to myself “Im now writing for one of the top Mets blogs on the internet”. And i was the one who came from a not-so-heard out Mets blog.

As i continue to write posts, you helped me out get better by giving me some advice, and also gave me advice over the phone. I’ve been getting better and better and better at writing my posts, and its all because of you. If it wasn’t for you Joe, as well as the rest of the MMO gang being very respectful and courteous, i don’t think i would have been on here, and i don’t think i would have had the opportunites like i had to 1.) Go on the KOMP podcast and 2.) Be interviewed for On The Black.

Again Joe, i cannot thank you enough for everything you have done for me to make me a better writer. I really appreciate it alot man.
srt July 22, 2011 at 11:01 pm

Nice job, Joe.

I’m one of those passionate Met fans who stops here on a daily basis.
On days where I have more time than others, I can always count on several new posts here a day to peruse.
Des July 22, 2011 at 11:26 pm

Joe,
We, your readers, should be saying, “Thanks for everything.”
Many more growing, happy years.
Des
Mr North Jersey July 22, 2011 at 11:39 pm

I have 3 words.

Thank you Joe.
Lisa P. July 22, 2011 at 11:58 pm

Thanks for a great place to read up on our Amazins. Continued success in the future.
Joe Spector July 23, 2011 at 8:31 am

I tip my virtual cap to you Joe D. Thank you and its been a joy writing for you.

NL East Standings

Team	W	L	Pct.	GB
Braves	25	18	.581	-
Nationals	23	21	.523	2.5
Phillies	21	23	.477	4.5
Mets	17	24	.415	7.0
Marlins	12	32	.273	13.5

Last updated: 05/19/2013

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