Since February 2013, we have published 327 newsletter editions, supported by nearly 700 authors writing 2,500 articles, with 10,000 comments and over five million pageviews.
The challenge for any new business is to establish a worthwhile goal and persevere until it is achieved. There will be successes and failures along the way, but these should not deflect from the main values guiding how decisions are made.
At Cuffelinks and now Firstlinks, the content is king, and we are grateful to the hundreds of authors who have shared their expert views. At all times, we have focussed on educational insights rather than product promotion, rejecting many articles which were on the wrong side of this divide. It doesn’t mean a product is never mentioned, but it must serve to illustrate a point rather than look like an advertisement. Over the years, our writers have accepted that our audience is intelligent and engaged, and the best marketing is thought leadership.
This approach will continue following the acquisition of Cuffelinks by Morningstar, a global business founded on a principle of independent research from an investor’s point of view. The same commitment to integrity and transparency fits well with the Firstlinks’ philosophy, and my assistant, Leisa and I are looking forward to working with the Morningstar team. Their resources will not only ensure the long-term sustainability of Firstlinks, but together we can grow our reach and services in a way few other publishers and researchers can match.
Many thanks to our readers, both professionals and individuals, who form our community and provide encouraging feedback and comments each week. To our sponsors, who believe articles should be predominantly educational to improve investment outcomes. To our writers, who are eager to reach our audience and share their expertise. And especially thanks to Chris Cuffe, who trusted me with his name and reputation, no less.
Graham Hand