Why I Took a Job, or the Ongoing Evolution of OU| From the Publisher’s Laptop

I’ve been assimilated into the University of Arkansas system.

On October 19, I was offered and I accepted, a position in the University Relations office as a web developer and communicator. I’m thrilled. Frankly, it was the right strategic choice.

Sometimes the secure income of an 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. gig outweighs the entrepreneurial uncertainty of a month-to-month scramble for dollars.

I took my time and cherry picked this job. The hybrid web and writer position is perfect for where I am professionally.

Keep in mind I created my first web link in December 2008. Now I’m fluent in WordPress, can code some HTML and CSS and am even dangerous in PHP. It’s been a crazy, bumpy ride and I have a growing love of the technical side of the Internet.

I know that over the next years, my web skills will grow and I’ll better be able to communicate stories online as a result.

Further, I can continue to put content out on Ozarks Unbound. Don’t expect scathing muck-raking exposes on University of Arkansas politics, but you can expect quality journalism to continue at Ozarks Unbound on all other topics.

Ozarks Unbound has always been a passion project of mine since State Rep. Greg Leding and I created it in June 2009. It’s the sort of calling that will continue for me whether I make a living at it or not.

I write because I have no choice and knowing I can take some of the monetary pressures off of the site for the next few years is a relief.

OU was always a full-time gig with part-time pay. Now, I can continue to grow and water it as a calling and less of a commercial entity.

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who donated to the site in March of this year. Also, a huge thanks to my sponsors who watered this experiment with their advertising dollars. And of course the readers who are the backbone of the entire effort.

It’s because of you that Ozark Unbound continues to sustain itself. 2011 was the best financial year we’ve ever had.

So what changes can you expect?

Not too many really. You might see less unedited press releases and more original, but sporadic, content.

I can now focus more on what interests me the most, namely creative economy news, political commentary and food.

I also made a commitment to pay contributing writers for content about six months ago. I’m pleased to say that’s been a successful goal and a good relationship with aspiring, young writers.

So Ozarks Unbound will remain a small, part-time business like so many others where people moonlight after and before work to pursue their creative interests.

I’m hopeful you will continue to stop by and see where things go in the future.

Christopher Spencer

Christopher Spencer, 36, is the publisher and owner of Ozarks Unbound and the food news site, The Fayetteville Food File. He is the chair of the Fayetteville Creative Economy Action Group and the social media chair of the Northwest Arkansas Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists. He's also the founder of WordCamp Fayetteville. You can always contact him at cspencer@ozarksunbound.com

More Posts - Website - Twitter - Facebook

3 Comments

• Stephen Smith says:

  November 1, 2011 at 11:05 am

  Congratulations on your new position with the University. It sounds like a perfect match. Thanks, too, for Ozarks Unbound. It is an important and valuable part of the local media ecology, and I am glad that it will continue.
• Collin Condray says:

  November 1, 2011 at 12:05 pm

  Congrats on the new gig! Good luck at the U of A!
• Alvin says:

  November 6, 2011 at 1:33 am

  Hooray! Congratulations.

Trackbacks