Dear Changeover Readers,
In just a few days, The Changeover will turn six months old. As cheesy as it sounds, time really does fly when you’re having fun. We wanted to take this chance to thank you all for reading, for commenting, and for helping us spread the word during our launch and beyond. The support has been incredible.
This site began as a mere daydream between Lindsay and Juan José. During an email exchange last fall about frustrations with writing, tennis, and the general state of tennis blogging, they started a very modest Google Doc called, “The Ideal Tennis Site.” Somehow they got the courage to share it with Amy. Hundreds of emails, a three-hour Skype session, and a few days later, the three of us began to convince each other that we might be onto something. And thus, The Changeover was born.
In six months, we have written more than 300 posts, recorded 17 podcasts (thanks to joining forces with Brodie of Mind the Racket), and learned more than we ever wanted to know about running a high-trafficked tennis website. We’ve had posts with 6,000 words, and posts with no words. There have been videos, GIFs, predictions, flashbacks, and very long conversations about Bernard Tomic. We’ve ranked the best tennis writing, the Masters Series, and Rafael Nadal’s hairstyles. We’ve put our own twist on match recaps using Tweets, GIFs, and doing LiveAnalysis. We’ve written long-form pieces about Juan Martin del Potro, Venus Williams, and Jerzy Janowicz. We’ve counted forehands and backhands during matches to try and find patterns that were hidden. We’ve discussed doping, television controversies, and personal journeys. We’ve received support from larger outlets such as Sports Illustrated, Tennis.com, and Deadspin. We’ve covered tournaments on-site, interviewed players and tennis media one-on-one, and yes, written a few posts we regret.
We couldn’t be happier with how things have gone so far, but we’re far from content. We have big plans for this site. We want to be able to produce more content on a daily basis. We want to have contributors. We want to delve deeper into the world of tennis statistics, investigative journalism, and original video production. We want to continue to expand upon our mission and push the boundaries of what a tennis site can/should be.
But to do that we need resources, which is what this (long-winded, as usual) blog post is all about. The next step. Sustainability.
With that in mind, The Changeover has decided to find advertisers. We’re already in the process of reaching out to tennis companies that we know and love, but we wanted to reach out to you guys as well. Because, as always, we could use the help.
Do you work for a tennis company that is looking for a wonderful space to advertise? Please email us. Do you know someone who works for a tennis company that is looking for a wonderful space to advertise? Please email us. Are you an investor and tennis lover looking to work with a start-up and fast-growing tennis website? Please email us. Do you have experience in direct advertising for blogs and want to give us advice/tips on all of this? Please. Email us. We have a media kit, pricing plan, braggy statistics, and a lot of analytics available.
We’re aware that it’s not conventional for websites to reach out to readers as they’re beginning the advertising adventure, but we’ve never claimed to be conventional. We’re reaching out and involving you in this process because you are the reason we know that The Changeover is ready for this step. We’re very blessed to have attracted a regular group of readers who have responded to our personal, nerdy, in-depth, off-beat, and just plain wacky approach to tennis writing, and as we look towards the future, we want to make sure to take you with us.
Through the past six months, we’ve proven that we’re committed to this site, to each other, and to giving robust and diverse coverage to the ATP and WTA tours. We know that we’re a great space for advertisers because of our fantastic and growing core group of readers, our ability to cultivate viral content, and our relationship with the tennis community at-large. We’re ready for the next step.
Thanks again of all of the support–we can’t wait for what the future brings!
Much love and appreciation,
-Lindsay, Juan José, and Amy (The Changeover Crew)
Remember, if you can help, please Email us.
Good luck! This is an exciting next step.
I’m afraid I don’t know any potential advertisers, but is there a site server fund or the like to which I could donate a few quid to say thanks for all the good reads thus far? 🙂
Thanks Katie, we really appreciate the support. (And patience for the extremely delayed response!)
After the encouragement from you guys, we did end up setting up a donations page (http://www.changeovertennis.com/donations)–thanks for the push!
Same comment exactly: I can’t help you with advertising but I’d be glad to donate as I enjoy reading you all so much.
Keep up the good work!
Thanks Sam– the support in the last week has been amazing, and we do have a lot of exciting things in the works. Meanwhile, we have set up a donations page–thanks for the encouragement, and for reading! http://www.changeovertennis.com/donations/
To Amy, Linz and Juan Jose,
Your coverage of the ATP and WTA is what makes this site stand out from many of the other sites that I visit on a regular basis. Most sites discuss the ATP and only give a sentence on the WTA while this site gives an equal coverage of both tours and in the process, discussed why the WTA did not get the “love” like the ATP. All points in that article needed to be said as most of us WTA fans were thinking. Your podcasts on a weekly basis only stepped it up a level recapping on the previous week action as some people want a quick summary on what happened. Hope this site gets the much needed $$$ from advertisers as I do not want to see this site go away like others that I read(ie – Do not know if C Note still does her own blog since she moved on to SI)
Thanks Master Ace–we’re so thrilled to have you as a regular reader and commenter over here! We’re also glad you appreciate the balanced coverage, as it’s definitely something that’s intentional. We hope that we figure out a way to stick around for the long haul–that’s definitely the plan!
I’m thrilled to read about all of the plans that you have for the site. During the first six months of the site you all have managed to make it into a fantastic source for us tennis fans. I really, really enjoy the light-hearted posts, but the fact that you report the real headlines aswell makes it even better. The balance between the ATP and WTA is welcome aswell, because it would be easy to write more about one or the other, so well done on that. The podcasts have been a great addition, so keep them coming! I hope the site continues to be a great success and I wish you all the best of luck with the future plans for the site 🙂
Thanks BS– and apologies for the delay in response! Your support means the world to us.
I’ve not been a tennis fan for very long so I had no idea your site is only six months old. It’s one of my favorites and I check it several times a day. Best of luck finding advertisers- you guys totally deserve it! Wish I had something more than lavish praise to contribute.
Thanks so much, S–the lavish praise is certainly appreciated =) Thanks for reading and for always stopping by- hopefully we’ll be able to keep producing more content on a daily basis!!
All the best to all the The Changeover Crew. Heheheh. Good luck Linz, Juan and Amy. Changeover has been a good read and continually is, looking forward to more great posts.
Thanks Pat!! xo
Good luck to you all in securing advertisement especially if it helps you to keep up the fantastic work you have been doing the last 6 months. I really enjoy reading and listening to you all.
*However, please stay away from auto-play videos or I may not be responsible for my actions 😉
What Claire (and Master Ace, above) said. 🙂
Thanks guys–no auto-play videos from us, we promise.
Good luck.
Thanks Henk!
I, too, want to echo Master Ace’s comments. I’ve only been aware of this site for a few months, but have enjoyed the articles that range in subject matter from in-depth to offbeat and in style from statistically analytical to irreverent to heartfelt. It’s a pleasure – and a relative rarity – to read commentary that is intelligent without being cynical, by writers who obviously love the sport and respect the vast, vast majority of the professionals who play it, regardless of gender or ranking.
Thank you so much, Patrick. Your words mean a lot.
Hey guys – fantastic work so far. I have been following tennis for a long time and I thought I knew a lot about tennis, but you guys totally blew me away with your coverage. Everything from statistical analysis, social media observations, self reflections, tournament coverage, podcast series have been top notch. I am a huge fan and I will continue to read every piece of new article you publish. Please keep this up and I hope I can contribute to this platform someday.
Thanks Jason–if you ever have an idea for a post, definitely let me know!
Best of luck to you all and thanks for this wonderful site. Since your first post you’ve been giving all tennis fans an endless stream of delight. And you’re still my favourite tea house 🙂
Jesna, your “tea house” comment is still my favorite- if we ever make brochures, I’m quoting you on the cover!
Thanks for the support as always.
You are going great. Keep it up and don’t fear the unconventional :-)(and I am all for the suggestion above to make donations possible.)
Thanks May–we’re certainly all about pushing the envelope! We did end up setting up a donations page (http://www.changeovertennis.com/donations) and have some exciting new things in the work. We appreciate your support!