As you’ve probably noticed, things are looking a little different today. I’ve been working on an overhaul of the Agent Athletica site and I’m excited that it’s finally made its debut! I wanted to take a minute to point out some of the visual/structural changes as well as some changes you can expect as far as actual content is concerned.
Site Changes
Although a lot of elements in my new theme are similar compared to the old one, the new one looks cleaner to me, not to mention is much, much more streamlined and flexible on the back end. I have more tweaks and additions in mind that aren’t quite finished yet, so you might see a few things continue to shift a little bit in the coming weeks. It’s a work in progress!
I’m especially excited about the new archive page, which makes browsing old posts really quick and easy. Though I’m still working on getting it set up just so, I love the tidy look and the visual elements. I know I’ve gotten frustrated myself at times while trying to find old posts, so I hope this will be a nice feature for you, too.
For fellow bloggers or anyone else who may be wondering, I’m now running Foodie Pro on the Genesis framework. (<- that’s an affiliate link, so if you’re a blogger interested in purchasing, I might get a kickback.)
Content Changes
Now for the (arguably) more important part! Starting this week, I’ll be implementing a slightly different strategy for the content I post here. Currently, lululemon news eats up the overwhelming majority of both the space on this site as well as my time. I’m going to be scaling back quite a bit on this and doubling down on more original content. Don’t get me wrong, I’ll still post about the lulu latest, but I’ll focus on hitting the high points rather than the more exhaustive reporting I’ve done up to this point.
There are many, many things that have inspired me to refocus my blogging efforts. By opening up a little more time in my schedule, I’ll be able to spend more time creating content that will (hopefully!) be more valuable to my readers, not to mention a little more fun to create. For example, some of my most popular posts to date are my lululemon brand evolution post and free to be wild lookalike roundup. Along those lines, I’ve gotten so many ideas I want to pursue, like the YouTube channel plans I mentioned last month, but I’ve repeatedly been finding that I simply am not left with enough time to make those ideas a reality. I think that’s pretty silly, since I think that sharing reviews, tips, and other original ideas would probably be more useful than sharing the 37th pic of the latest mesh pants. There’s only so much time in a day, so I’m streamlining and cutting the fluff so that my content is overall more focused and valuable.
(BTW–if this gives you a case of the sads and you really do love to overload yourself with pics of the latest, I have a post in the works for this week that you’ll want to read! Keep an eye out.)
Another thought behind all this: many lululemon fans know that the brand itself has changed and is continuing to do so. Since lulu has scaled back on their scarcity model, things simply don’t move at the same pace they used to. Of course, lulu definitely still moves faster than most brands, but seasoned fans will probably agree that there’s not the same urgency and generally frantic behavior that there used to be. Transitioning the pacing of my lulu reporting to a handful of times a week instead of multiple times a day seems to appropriately reflect the tempo of the lulu universe at large.
All that said, obligatory disclaimer: apologies if the posting schedule and format is a little inconsistent for the next couple weeks. Please bear with me as I figure out what works and what doesn’t, and feel free to offer up your feedback on the structure of upcoming posts.
I’m excited to be able to experiment with new things in the fitness wear arena, reach a broader audience, and flex my creative muscles a little more. Stay tuned!
cool stuff :) looking forward to reading the new contents :)
Yes definitely!! Thanks for reading. :)
I look forward to reading more original content. I personally don’t get a lot out of the feed pics because they’re available on several blogs and so I find them repetitive. I think this is a good way to further differentiate yourself. I look forward to seeing what you come up with.
Yeah, it seems like most people don’t get a lot out of the feed pics judging by the statistics behind them. I think they also tend to crowd out the other stuff, which is no good either!
I love the new look of your site! As a new reader of your blog and a new Lulu devotee, I was hoping you would move more into the original content side of things. I always stop by when you have a new post, but skim over most of the round-up stuff and love when you have other types of posts (sorry if that sounds harsh!). Can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thanks Gretchen! That doesn’t sound too harsh at all. I think you’re not the only one who does that, so it’s nice to have at least one confirmation of my suspicions. :)
I love the new look too. i loved the old one as well! My only request is that you keep posting lulu problems! This is the only thing I look forward to on Monday morning as I drag myself to work….I NEED THIS! Please and thank you! BTW you are doing a fabulous job!
I also have come to rely on the Lulu problems posts. They are so unique to this blog and they crack me up!
Don’t worry, lulu problems aren’t going anywhere!!! :)
Yay!
Looks great! Can’t wait to see more!
Thanks Mel!! :)
I find I come to your blog the most and it’s one of my favorite. I’m glad to see you branch out and do original content! Some of my fave posts of yours had nothing really to do with Lulu either – the packing posts (I now pack MUCH lighter for trips! Thank you!) and other brand reviews are some I find myself going back to more than the Lulu ones so I’m excited to branch out with you as well! Love the new look – especially the thumbnails for past posts on the bottom…definitely easier to find an older post now.
Good, glad it’s not just me who likes the thumbnails. :) I hope some future posts live up to some of the other ones you’ve liked!
so exciting! you are my fav blogger and i’m looking forward to see your continued evolution!!
Hooray!! Glad to hear it, hope I can continue to deliver the good stuff. :)
Agree with everyone here. Your original content always makes the best posts. I loved your lulu brand evolution post – didn’t comment on it because everyone else beat me to it and said pretty much all the things I wanted to say, but I loved reading it. And yeah, the feed pics are so easy to find on other blogs, I wouldn’t miss them. Excited to see what you’ve got in store!
Thanks!! It’s great to hear this feedback, I think/hope it means I’m onto something. :)
I like the new AND the old formats, both are clean and easy. Love that we’re getting exciting new content :D
Sometimes I feel blogging is like running a business, and the blogger needs to continuously reinvent to keep the readers interested, but yet stay authentic and relevant. Though it’s tough, I think you’re doing a great job! Yes, my favorite posts are the ones touching on LLM evolution and hiking (gorgeous photos)!
Blogging is not only *like* a business to me, it IS a little business. :) I definitely feel that urge to constantly take stock and make sure that I’m staying relevant and innovating in ways that are both useful to readers and also engaging and authentic for me. It’s an interesting and challenging problem!
These will be some very welcome changes as far as I’m concerned. I am more often interested by your original content than the 37th rendition of mesh this or that anyhow. With the lulu world in flux, this is a great opportunity for you to grow and develop your blog! :) Excited to see what happens..
Very welcome for me too! It’s fun to be giving myself a little more creative license. I’m interested to see where it leads, too!
looks fantastic. i second [third? twentieth?] the folks who said your original content = the jam.
Thank you!! I hope I can still maintain (improve?) that quality as I kind of force myself to do more of it, lol.
Exciting stuff! Thanks very much- your blog is fab. My favorite posts are new and different brands. I’m no longer a Lulu addict, so really I’m most interested in other brands. I found alala from you! Keep up the good work!
Thanks Allie. :) I hope I’ll get to shine the spotlight on more brands in the coming months, too! There are so many out there to try.
Me too!
I love the new design, and I’m excited to read more original content. You really excel at original content, so I’m happy to see you move in that direction!
Thank you Jenn!! Original content can be stressful on my more perfectionist tendencies (10 hours writing 1,500 words? ugh), but I’ve slowly been getting a bit more confident, and forcing myself to write a bit more will hopefully help with that!
I love the new look!! I really appreciate your original content and personal fit reviews… they really help especially when ordering online. I don’t live near any lulu stores so a few of my purchases have been based on what you have tried and recommended. Thanks!! :)
Thanks!! Glad I can be helpful, that’s what I aim for. :)
Great job, AA! Love the new look and new ideas – who wants to look at endless, value-free photos of eds wearing the same old stuff?! Your original content is what brings people like me back here (along with your accessible writing-style, impeccable spelling and grammar, and great sense of humor!). I’m excited to see what the future holds for you :)
Thanks, friend! I’m excited, too, although it can be a little scary at times. :)
Don’t be scared! You’re killing it!! :)
Well said! I second that!
Ditto!
I like your new ideas and the way you want things to move forward. I love that you don’t stay stagnant doing the same thing over and over. I’m excited for you about this YouTube channel thing, I think it will be great!
Yes, being stagnant is the last thing I want. It might mean doing some stuff that totally fails (hopefully not?), but I’m willing to accept that if it means I’ll also get some wins. :)
Would to love to see the transformation and acknowledge your creativity in experimenting with new ideas.
Thanks. :)