In 2017, Micromedia Publications launched a hyperlocal news website, Jersey Shore Online. The idea was simple: a place in cyberspace to showcase our newspapers, interact with readers through social media and turn a weekly news source into a daily. It was also a more marketable URL for potential advertisers as MicromediaPubs.com didn’t roll off the tongue so well, and didn’t draw in an abundance of web traffic.
The site hit browsers eight years ago on July 1. From the beginning, our web developer put out a caveat: no matter how successful Jersey Shore Online could become, it will always be number two on the search engines thanks to MTV’s reality show “Jersey Shore.” Hey, remember when the cable network actually played music videos? The show in question gave us Snooki, Gym Tan Laundry or GTL, The Situation, Pauly-D, Vinny, Sammi the Sweetheart and put Seaside Heights on the map – sometimes not in the best of lights.
Well, the web developer was right. While we have enjoyed success these past few years with millions of page views, the site does play second fiddle to the show that airs in almost every country on earth, at least in terms of SEO – or Search Engine Optimization – yeah, web gobbledygook.
What has it also spawned? Fan mail. Lots and lots of fan mail from legions of adoring fans. But of course it has…but wait…did I mention the fan mail is being directed to us?!
Since the site’s launch, our email server has been bombarded with some of the most ridiculous letters.
Some are short, some are long. They range from young teens who are begging for dates with Pauly-D or Vinny, nasty messages directed at Ronnie or Angelina and even inquires on how to obtain autographed pictures, pitches for storylines and aspiring actors looking for work.
Now, I understand that if you search for Jersey Shore News on Google, we come up in the top five next to links about the show. I’ll give you that. What’s perplexing is that there is nothing on Jersey Shore Online that would lead anyone to believe that a 29 year old media outlet is affiliated with the show, the cast, the producers or the MTV network. There’s no mention of the show, no production stills, no video clips – nothing! So, how does this happen? We simply don’t know.
If you would like to have a look at some of these for a laugh, they are below.
My new generic response to those who write to us?
No, Sorry – There Is No Snooki Here
Jason Allentoff
VP, Micromedia Publications
The post Editorial: No, Sorry – There Is No Snooki Here appeared first on Jersey Shore Online.
