I’m Turning the Site Back into a Blog…
For the first time in years, I don’t care if anyone reads this.
Now, that’s not to say that I don’t appreciate if someone does (thank you!), but, right now, I’m not concerned with how many people read this. And you know what, it feels amazing.
First, Some History…
When I first started this blog back in 2009, I was writing whenever I could in between my job and going to college about something that was interesting to me: unlocked phones (does the name of my site now make more sense?). Which ones I thought were cool and why, changes in the mobile ecosystem and my thoughts on how it was going to effect us all, and occasionally how to’s on things I ended up figuring out and thought might help others if I posted.
Long story short, what started as writing to the void turned into something amazing. People started reading, commenting, engaging in constructive conversations, and ultimately it became a huge part of my life along with becoming my full-time job. I couldn’t believe it (I still can’t).
Somewhere between there and here, however, a strange thing happened.
I’m naturally an ambitious person (a good and bad trait, trust me), and when I saw traffic increasing, I started to wonder, “how can I make it grow more?”
During the next few years, I hired writers, started researching content I should do that would drive traffic, and went from writing a blog to running a publication. For the most part, it actually worked, traffic grew, so did revenue, and the site was doing well in that respect.
But as time went on, I was putting more and more stress on myself to perform better, grow faster, do more content, etc. I started churning out content I wasn’t necessarily proud of for the sake of just getting another article done, more keywords checked off, and writing about things I thought would get traffic instead of what I really felt passionate about writing. Bottom line: I started to just chase numbers.
About a year ago, I realized this fact partially and decided to redesign the site and start doing the content again by myself. Issue is that I was still chasing content I thought would do well and not what I cared about necessarily. I had unrealistic deadlines for articles that, of course, are harder to write when you aren’t necessarily excited about them. The site was doing well, but I was definitely not happy with it. So today, I’ve decided to finally change that.
Going Forward
I’ve decided to bring this site back to what it originally was for me, albeit with a broader scope to reflect my interests that have evolved over the last 10 years (less unlocked phones and more technology in general). I want this to be something I truly enjoy again.
Besides me, though, I’d like this to be something maybe others might enjoy. Something others can read and relate to, learn from, and chat with me and other like-minded nerds about the things we hold dear. So with that, welcome to a new beginning for this site, and I’d love it if you came on this journey with me.
Here’s what I’m planning for the future:
- More Awesome Tech: You guys seem to like the reviews and latest tech videos on the YouTube channel so I’m going to keep doing them. Whatever I can get my hands on that I think is cool and worth a look, I’ll try and bring you articles and videos on as much as I can.
- More Tips and Tricks: I use a lot of tech on a daily basis and since
I have an issue with trying to be efficient all the timeI’m all about efficiency, I’m constantly looking for ways to improve how I use that tech. I plan to share more of these tips and tricks I come across with you guys on the tech we (see: us nerds) use the most. Videos on the ones that need better visual explanations and written ones that you can check out faster and get what you need and be out before your boss realizes you’re not working on that report. - Tech News: In addition to using tech, I read about it constantly so figure I might as well share my favorite stories that I think you guys might find interesting. Promise to keep them short, to the point with links to read more should you feel the need to dive deeper.
- Blog posts: Sometimes I just need to share cool things that are happening in the tech world and I’d love to be able to do that here again in the form of good ol’ fashioned blog posts.
Let me know in the comments below any feedback you have (good and bad, I know a ton of you have been reading my site for a very long time). Tell me any changes you personally would like to see, what content you’d like, resources I can maybe put together to help people out, and come chat with me on social networks, even if just to say hi.
Glad to hear that. Do what makes you happy.
Thank you! I’m trying. Hope it works out in the long run
And even though I never won any of the giveaways and couldn’t giveaway the CAT phone like I suggested many times. You have a loyal fan. TheUnlockr help start me in rooting phones from my HTC G1.
Man, I wish I could just giveaway a bunch of phones. And yeah, that Cat phone was cool, but they asked for it back.
Whoa you’ve been around since the beginning. Thank you so much! Hopefully I can help you more going forward. Thanks again, means a lot.
Yes sir. I was already rooting the G1 with YouTube tutorials until I found the site. Then only used your site and XDA for reference and themes. Ahh I remember some of the themes that you would host. Good times.
Ha love that. Going to definitely be doing more tutorials (and ROMs to add to the repository when I have time)
I enjoy your work. It is important that you enjoy it also. Look forward to your next offering
Couldn’t agree more on the me trying to enjoy it again, but knowing that you enjoy it too helps a lot with the motivation, for sure
All the best!!
Thank you, sir!!
Way to go, your insight and passion about Tech is paramount, you must enjoy what you are doing and not letting it run you. Life is too short to do something you are not enjoying…will look for your next blog.
Thank you, I’m finally realizing that fact. Thank you so much for the encouragement!
I enjoy your site and your vision. I did read the whole article from my email. I would say most of all, I see you actually answered all of the comments..That’s awesome : ) Keep up the great work
Thank you so much! Means a lot to me that someone does enjoy this. Hopefully this change will make it more enjoyable for everyone. Thanks again!
If the basic needs are OK, here I think you should de what ever fits you, you are very skilled to write and that’s a gift, I can’t write well in Spanish (my native language) and not all the bloggers and youtubers I follow (and you know a few of them) have the same charisma to comunicate information, so I don’t think you will mess the things here with what ever you decide to do.
As you mentioned, I like reviews, tips and tricks, tutorials (tech related of course) and sometimes just anecdotes, so any of that I will be glad to read and watch, also I like when some youtubers make some collaboration on videos and stuff like that.
Hi Chemy!
Thanks so much for that, I really appreciate it. I’m worried how this will turn out, but its awesome to hear from people who enjoy what I do and definitely helps me stay motivated to keep this up.
And thank you for the feedback as well! I think that’s exactly what I’ll be doing. Anecdotes as well, but really only if it pertains to tech, YouTube, or something else in this world that I think you guys might actually care about (I won’t post about my breakfast, I promise. Unless it was 3D printed maybe lol)
Also, I’d just like to say that I’m super thankful for people like you that comment and reach out on every video and things that I do. Huge motivation to do the next one so thanks again!
Hey David! We talked before. Always a fan of Theunlockr. All the best !
Hi Chevy! Thanks so much!
I’m so thrilled that you not only recognized you weren’t happy, but you’re brave enough to do something about it. That’s incredibly cool. Grab on with both hands and enjoy the ride. Cheers!
Same! Thanks so much! Here we go!
Hello David, I recently bought an iPhone 7 light kit and although it is a nice and easy addition to the phone; I find the utility slightly restrictive, can you look to develop the same system as the older iPhone 6/6s kits ? Best wishes Gil
Hi Gil! Unfortunately, the way the new iPhone’s are built is what forced this new design (as there’s no way to leech power from the screens now). Sorry, but I hope you enjoy it still!