• On Resolutions

• On Reviews

by Betty Van Volkenburg

In looking ahead to 2003 I made my first resolution – I resolve to not make any resolutions. Setting up expectations that aren’t met can lead to disappointment, and too much disappointment can lead to depression and I sure don’t want any of that. If I start to feel magnanimous I’ll re-read my 2002 New Year’s column where I referenced our Assistant Pastor’s story about God separating the sheep and the goats. In retrospect I feel I’ve been more of a sheep than a goat this year and if I just continue that behavior I should do all right. There, I feel better already.

However, in examining more closely my last year’s behavior, and my mirror’s reflection, I may change some of my behaviors to lose a few pounds a month so that by my birthday in June I can fit into a bikini again. If I don’t reach that goal, I’ll stick with camping and avoid the beaches, or maybe find a loving man who likes well rounded ladies. Good, this sounds like a good plan too.

One bad behavior that definitely needs changing is my habit of working too much, and not having enough fun. I’ve already started working on that as of New Year’s Eve, by having dinner with 4 other female friends who were dateless that night as well. Who said dateless people have to sit home on NY’s Eve and watch that ball drop on TV! As to being dateless – that has been a choice for me so far as I have bad work habits - as in working all the time, but in 2003 I will be working on learning how to date again. Participating in a small group on ‘Boundaries in Dating’ with my Singles Ministry may help there, but if not - at least I will make some new friends to socialize with.

Changing behaviors is going to be tough as I like everything I’m doing and don’t really want to give up much. In the past when I’ve tried to make changes I’ve found it’s easier to start up a new habit than get rid of old, entrenched ones. I’ll use that to change my sedentary habits by adding exercise sessions at a fitness center that will necessitate a reduction in the amount of time I spend at the computer. Hmmm, this sounds reasonable and could possibly happen.

I’ve been working on ideas for Regional versions of The Singles Center and I will start with our local metro are – the Greater Rochester NY area. I have found that singles information on the local areas, from a singles perspective, is either limited or non-existent so I will be forced to attend local entertainment venues and restaurants myself to do reviews – another perk and a new fun behavior handled.

So what happened last year and what’s planned for this year?

In retrospect I have mixed feelings on last year, except for our subscriber list which has grown to close to 5000 – a good progress towards 10,000 by the end of 2003.

Plans for 2003 will increase our traffic to 100,000 per month which in turn will increase our Personal ad activity and bring new friends and maybe more to our members.

Travel Club – Looking to escape the snowy North? The Singles Center is co-hosting a Winter Getaway with SAM’s Lambs from the Greater Rochester NY area, in February. Watch for details in a special mailing, or shop for your own trip. Are you interested in a singles trip, - weekend getaway, a summer vacation, co-hosting with a singles group?  Send an email with your ideas or questions.

Singles Courier Ezine – Our subscriber list is now heading for 5000 and with current projections, it is expected to double that in the next few months, and as a result our free Personals ads will increase as well. Have you created your free Personals ad yet?

Membership Benefits – New shopping benefits are being added for VIP members to obtain discounts at a variety of merchants across the US. Our Galleria affiliate program is taking longer to be available than expected, but when it becomes available, VIP members may become an affiliate at no cost, and be able to earn a commission on sales. You can upgrade your membership to VIP in our Membership Wing.

Visitor traffic – Our traffic varies from 60,000 to 80,000 per month and The Singles Center even appeared on the first page of a Yahoo! search for singles a few months ago, but then dropped down into the lower regions. Why this happened can’t be explained by our promotion activities, so it could be arbitrarily decided by Yahoo Editors to rotate sites periodically. We’ll see how our new promotions programs work to increase traffic to 100,000 per month and get us back up on page one.

Seminars, Conferences or Retreats:

Gift Galleria – Our affiliate program is still on hold. The software had been scheduled to be ready in December, but ‘due to technical difficulties’ beyond our control, we are still waiting. A special mailing will be sent out when this is ready for prime time. View our products and pick something out for your new Valentine.

Role Model Campaign – Our 2002 Role Model voting had to be cancelled due to irregularities in the voting process. This was the most difficult decision I had to make this year, and I didn’t have anyone that I could pass the buck to. The campaign for 2003 will begin in the second quarter to give me time to do re-programming and hopefully outwit the nasty people who killed the 2002 program. You can read stories on past winners and other singles who are involved in their community in our Community Wing.

Until next issue –

Betty Van Volkenburg
Publisher,
The Singles Center
Singles, The Magazine for Today's Single
The Singles Courier