In less than a year http://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com reaches No. 1 & No. 4 on the Google search engine

Dec. 3, 2016 – West Bend, WI – This is an unbelievable story to write, primarily because I’m a bit overwhelmed by the news myself.

Over the past few weeks I’ve been fielding solicitation calls from businesses in Milwaukee and Chicago and Madison. People all want to get on the page or have me write stories or hook up to their networks … and I honestly didn’t think much of it.

Then I got a call from a friend in Madison, “Congratulations you’re at the top of the Google search engine for news in Washington County. That’s amazing!”

I Googled it myself and sure ‘nuf there it is. Out of 6.4 million results I’m No. 1  right above Fox6 and above the Journal Sentinel.  Then there the Insider is again at No. 4 in the search for Facebook.

I still have trouble wrapping my head around it.  All I’ve been trying to do is bring the best local news to the community and do justice to all the great stories and people in West Bend and Washington County.

I’ve been calling supporters and contributors one by one to offer a genuine ‘Thank you’ for believing in me, supporting me with advertising, news tips and stories. I figure if the http://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com is at the top then so is your advertising!

The page will celebrate 1 year in business on Monday, Dec. 5. Right now Googlemetrics shows 2.3 million views and an audience over 460,000.

It’s the power of the Internet and the fact neighbors can get local first-run stories for free, 7 days a week and be knowledgeable about what’s going on in their community.

So thanks again – keep the news tips and support coming. We live in a wonderful community and we have a lot to be proud of and thankful for.  Feel free to call if you have a positive story or an insider scoop to investigate.

Signed, a humble Judy Steffes

Behind the scenes – here’s a look at some of the mail I’ve been receiving:

Michelle Mayer – You definitely are making a positive impact in our community with your gift in journalism and for that I thank you!!!

Don Zerfas – Judy, What a wonderful job you did on Jim Wallesverd’s obituary.  Since I cancelled my subscription to the paper, I rely on your website for the news.  Keep up the good work.

Gary Kuehl – Hi Judy,   I read the insider every morning and night and get all the updates of things around town.   Far better than the wb news.  In fact some obits shown in your articles are a couple of days before the paper.   Great job on what you are doing.

Ken Kempfer – Why would you pay for the news when you can get it quicker by following Judy in the Washington County Insider. The news is posted by Judy sometimes days before you get it from the paper

Barbara Schlinsock Rockrohr – Hi Judy, love this site. My husband keeps asking how I know all this stuff about what’s going on and I just smile.

Mary Puestow – Thanks again for all your expert coverage of the local news.

Kathleen Vaughan – It is nice to keep us older folks aware of what is happening around us… Thank you to the Sheriff’s Dept in Washington County and to The Washington County Insider…. You all do such a fine job and it is appreciated much more than all of you know…

Devona Mitchell – I like your site because it gives me up-to-date information about what is happening in the community and also what is happening with local businesses. I do not subscribe to the daily news so I get most of my news local news from you!

Pat West – Judy.. First of all, thanks for all your excellent reportage of the happenings in WB.. I no longer live there and have not for 40 years.  Do keep up your excellent reporting