Helping to manage a publication, particular one with a website, is more than producing content; it also involves presenting content.
The relaunch of ThoroughbredTimes.com reflects a change in how our readers have told us they want to consume our content.
The prime real estate is reserved for big images, video thumbnails, and the current top headlines. These are the things our readers have told us—either through actual communication or in their habits when navigating our website—are most important to them.
They're also elements we think will help make the Thoroughbred Times home page a must-visit place for Thoroughbred racing professionals, fans, insiders, and enthusiasts throughout the day. Our readers will be able to count on up-to-the-minute information, and as technology improves, sometimes that information will be most quickly delivered in the form of video. Recently, we've been able to provide video of a race long before a narrative.
The overall feel of the site also incorporates elements that have become more important to our users recently. There is a community page that puts a greater emphasis on our social media presence, blogs, forums, and contests. We have tried to integrate this community throughout other parts of the site as well. We still want readers to absorb the content, of course, but so too do we want them to interact with it and share it with others.
There will be growing pains, but I think one of the benefits of our strong social media presence is that our readers have developed a relationship with us such that I hope anyone reading this post feels comfortable sharing his or her thoughts about the site. Each element of journalism—reporting, writing, and presentation—is organic in its own way.
When it comes to the latter as it relates to our website, I know there will be some aches and pains along the way. Sometimes a bandage will cover up the blemish, but I also know that major surgery could be required in certain places. Please don't be afraid to share your feelings with the group!
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What on earth have you done to the sire lists???
ReplyDeleteMost of the formerly available information on the state sire lists is now suddenly gone (lifetime crops, lifetime foals, lifetime starters, lifetime winners, lifetime SWs, lifetime average winning distance and lifetime average earnings/runner). On top of that problem, the serif font used throughout all sire lists now is way too small and almost impossible to read.
I use the TT state sire lists every day, and now they are practically worthless. TT was the only website that provided this important LIFETIME information for each sire, and now there is even less information on these sire lists than what your competitors offer.
VERY disappointed, and hope you will reconsider this decision to lessen your product.