The year began with a burst of joy when my wife and I discovered we were expecting our first child. The news felt surreal, filling our hearts with anticipation for the journey ahead. The moment became a beacon of hope and motivation for what was to come. Little did we know how much we would need that light to guide us through a year of twists and turns.
As life would have it, the publishing business I had worked so hard to build faced unexpected challenges. A significant shift in content guidelines by the platform we relied on led to the loss of an account that had been our top revenue generator. This blow shook the foundation of our operations, but as always, there was no time to wallow.
Adding to the turbulence, Google’s AI Overview update tanked the rankings of our business website, Liveandwingit. Overnight, our organic traffic plummeted, forcing us to go back to the drawing board. Together with my team, we conducted a comprehensive site audit, created new backlinks, revamped our content, and doubled down on quality. However, the search engine results pages (SERPs) showed little to no improvement, leaving us in a race against time to recover.
Innovating and Diversifying…
In the face of these setbacks, we had to innovate. We turned to our existing pipeline, reaching out to leads we had nurtured over the years. By leveraging the numbers and emails we had saved, we managed to keep the conversation going and the business breathing.
Simultaneously, we diversified our traffic sources, exploring platforms like TikTok and other social channels to capture untapped audiences. One loyal client became a lifeline, consistently bringing in high-value projects and referrals. Their unwavering trust provided a much-needed anchor during turbulent times.
We also tested various ad strategies with mixed results, tweaking campaigns and learning from every misstep. These experiences sharpened our understanding of paid traffic, laying the groundwork for future growth.
Amidst the chaos, I took steps to ensure an alternative income source. I honed my coding skills, secured independent gigs, and delved into real estate deals, proving that adaptability is a crucial survival tool.
Then came October, and with it, a miracle: the birth of my daughter, Adekitan. She brought more than joy into our lives; she ushered in blessings we hadn’t dared to dream of. Around this time, our website began regaining some of its lost rankings, and I closed several personal real estate deals.
Most importantly, my wife and I began to see the fruits of our deepest wishes coming to life — still a work in progress but inching closer with every passing day.
This year has been a whirlwind of emotions, filled with trials, triumphs, and growth. Through it all, I’ve been surrounded by love and support — from my incredible wife to my amazing parents, in-laws, friends, and, of course, my beautiful daughter, Adekitan. It truly does take a village, and I am endlessly grateful to my village for standing by me.
As the year closes, I look back not with regret but with gratitude. For every challenge that tested me, there was a lesson learned. For every loss, there was a gain waiting to unfold.
Here’s to resilience, innovation, and the unwavering power of family and community. I love you all. Bring on the new year!
