New Year, New Breast Life Website Changes

It's a new year and the right time to make some long overdue changes to The Breast Life.

Brands, much like people, must grow and evolve. So what's in store for this new Breast Life? It aligns with my personal goals. I'm a writer. That's who I am. I write blogs, books, plays, and stand-up comedy. There's never a lack of ideas for me to pursue, be it articles, scripts, or off-the-wall comedic material. But there are only so many hours in the day and days in one's life. I'm getting my priorities straight this year so I fulfill my creative writing potential.

It means I have less time to read and post to social media sites or wrestle with updates to website pages. I've got a few experts on my team to help me out in these areas. But I don't have unlimited financial resources, either.

With that in mind, here are my thoughts on proposed tweaks to The Breast Life website. While this post is meant to inform you, the reader, I'm also looking for feedback. I hope you'll leave any thoughts you have in the comments below.

Blog Schedule. I've been publishing on Monday and Wednesdays for the past few years. It's great, except I find myself working a little bit each weekend to upload images or format content. No matter how far ahead I plan my editorial calendar, I always get behind. So, to better manage my time, we're switching our weekday posts to Tuesday and Thursdays. Starting this week.

Mammoirs.  Personal "mammoirs" were the inspiration for my first book, back in 2007. But today, there are tons of ways people share such experiences and photos. We'll retire these pages in the next few weeks. In the meantime, catch up on them while you still can.

The Breast Life Store. We're paring down our categories to focus on what matters most: boob support. Curated sections of full and small bust fashions, bralettes, strapless, post-surgical and mastectomy, and nursing bras will remain. While eliminating swimwear, accessories, and full-bust clothing, we'll still cover those styles and new brands in blog posts. Let us know if there are any other items you'd like to see us add, or remove.

Front Page. No more Mammoirs means we free up space for more featured product news and blog posts. Yay for bra shopping and helpful content!

Social Media. Twitter is the social media platform I enjoy the least. And I'm not alone in that view. Lindy West's recent Guardian post on why she quit Twitter is well worth the read. I'll be spending less time there, and more on energy on posting to Instagram and Pinterest. You'll find different things on those platforms that you won't find on the new Breast Life site, either---like inspirational quotes, vintage lingerie ads, or bra reviews from other bloggers.

Do you follow The Breast Life on Facebook? That's where much of breast news you see on Twitter will migrate.

A Few More Laughs. I'm working on how to incorporate my stand-up into a new Breast Life. Watch for entertaining videos of me performing (or bombing) in front of audiences. We'll also keep sharing the funny stuff we find on both the blog and our various social media platforms. There are some crazy ways people see breasts.

Blog Topics. Here's the juicy, writing stuff where I want to spend more time. Expect more advocacy articles on health and politics. Insurance coverage for breast pumps and paid lactation consultants may disappear if Congress eliminates or replaces the Affordable Care Act. Defunding Planned Parenthood impacts the breast health of low-income women. PP may not provide mammograms but does offer breast health education, routine breast exams, and referrals for proper diagnostic tests. Cuts in Social Security or Medicare will limit the quality of life for those living with Metastatic Breast Cancer. How will Congressional budget choices change commitments to federally funded breast cancer research? These issues will get more attention on the new Breast Life. Readers will have action steps to take along the way.

Don't worry. We'll keep posting---and I'll keep writing---your favorite consumer-oriented content, including useful bra buying info and intros to new brands. We'll introduce a few more guest bloggers to add a fresh perspective to the topics we already cover.

So, what do you think? Do you like our plans for the new Breast Life?