2023: On & Up
The goal? The endgame? What even IS The City Root?
I say that, because I’ve been asked and I know I haven’t been very transparent about the process behind this thing. In part, because I’m aware that of all the social media candy out there to be consumed, reading is pretty easily dismissed, especially if it’s not coming from an acclaimed source. Social media also feels pretty forced these days. It’s a requirement for what I’m trying to do, which definitely makes it less fun.
But beyond that, because I shouldn’t really have to do much explaining for so many of you that I’ve known for years now to show support for free. You internet prima donnas should be following along already!
I mean gahdayum…
I’ve gotten piss drunk with enough of you as teenagers at Phillies tailgates to the point I figured you’d at least FOLLOW for fart’s sake… we’ve only known each other for a couple decades now. Didn’t know your follow-to-follower ratio was so precious, youse influencers, youse.
But don’t stress, I know it’s scary to venture out of your internet comfort zone. I’ll give ya some deets.
For an easy Understanding, You could say The “Writing goal” is That of a Local Rolling Stone
We’re working on some interesting, important, and entertaining shit over here. I’ll improve my marketing of the articles and the site itself, but making reading cool truly is a challenge.
A home paper kinda publication with heart, humor, and imagination behind it. Despite our (currently) limited resources, it’s a quality-over-quantity mindset in regard to content with the necessary injection of a 2020s social media presence and video footage. The City Root finally has an active team once again, which will help the cause dearly.
Five bucks says you stumble on something worth the read, the follow, and your undying love & affection. I’d also bet five bucks the majority of my personal followers won’t give it a true chance. But that’s okay. Not everyone is about that life.
All I’m saying here is that I hope you have a great holiday season. Miss you in bunches. Hugs and kisses to you and the whole fam. Hope to share a beer and a belly laugh soon. The focus over the holiday season for me was getting this thing buttoned up behind the scenes.
Now, I’m going to dive into our plans for January… but first, go follow The City Root on Instagram.
The Immediate Future
In the first month of the New Year we’re taking some larger steps on the path to legitimacy and profitability, which means the following:
Consistent publishing across all platforms
Overdue press release / media outreach
More video content & interviews
Merch!! Sweet Tees coming end of January
Sponsorship opportunities for local businesses—creating quality, beneficial content for a good price
Advertising campaign for The City Root on social media & elsewhere
ONe of a Kind
This legitimacy we’re after, dare I say we’ve earned it? I genuinely don’t believe there’s anyone else publishing this level of long-form content with this kind of range, rawness, and .
Awesome Music & Creative coverage, mostly but not only local stuff — RegoThereSheGo / Alyssa Garcia
Social Commentary that’s personal and thoughtful, not political — On Gun Violence in Philly
Human Interest stories, both heartbreaking and uplifting — This is Anorexia / Unsheltered
Inventive Satire & Comedy— Fixing a Particular Ex-Sixer’s Jumpshot in Thailand
Sports, with true fandom and flair — The Eagles Play an Undeniable Brand of Football
important and often boring subjects like Education and Environmentalism made entertaining, interesting, and conversational — Teachers w/ Unlimited Resources VS The Modern Attention Span
Sex, Drugs, and Rock n’ Roll ≈ ART & LIFE. MUSIC & MADNESS — Birdfeed & Beez: Modern Indulgence /
You can name a lot of publications that do a few of these well, but who does them all with the passion we do? Tell a fella.
The End Goal
The City Root, at this very moment, is closer to an awesome portfolio than an established publication. By February, it should be the best version of a small, profitable blog that’s barely a year old. What it can be under the umbrella of a larger media organization is a totally different thing. Those actions and ideas are for internal meetings, not this blog, but I’m excited to bring those to the world soon enough.
Cheers to a New Year, bitches.
