Big News. This year, our 10th, will be my last with elephant. {April Fools’ edition}
It’s with mixed feelings that I share this news.
In June, elephant journal turned 10 years old.
In 2002 we started off as a little, local yoga magazine (Yoga in the Rockies), went regional, then national, where elephant magazine sold in Whole Foods, pharmacies, bookstores etc. for $4.99. But though we were printed on eco paper (New Leaf, generally) distributing a magazine nationally is eco-inefficient—your average magazine sells maybe 3 out of 10 copies. And so, 2.5 years ago, I resolved to start all over again, taking elephant online 100%. It’s been a tough ride: I lost my colleagues, my office, my house went into foreclosure…and I got old fast. But it’s been an adventure, I’ve learned a lot, and elephant has grown steadily—now to 380,000 unique readers a month, and growing 10% a month. We’ve been voted #1 #green on twitter two years running, and have a Facebook Page more popular than some news orgs with 100x our staff.
But all things come to an end—or should I say, things change. This year, our 10th, will be my last with elephant. I’ve decided to partner with Yoga Journal—whose parent, Active Interest Media, is based in Boulder (so I won’t even have to move). I will continue to head up elephant as it merges with yogajournal.com, and will serve as YJ’s associate web editor and social media consultant. I’ll also do some video for them, for you fans of Walk the Talk Show.
I’m selling because, frankly, I’m tired of being broke. I’d like to travel for the first time in my life, continue on my Buddhist path (start by doing a long overdue meditation retreat) and eventually start a family.
Assuming that our readers might be a bit nonplussed, I’ve insisted on a stipulation in our agreement of sale: if elephant reaches 70,000 Facebook Fans and 70,000 twitter followers by April 11th, I have the right to cancel our agreement and continue to nurture elephant’s unique brand of independent, mindful journalism. If we achieve these reachable goals, that will likely mean we’re fully sustainable, and can afford to hire an editor to help improve the overall quality of our editorial. YJ’s generously agreed to this unusual caveat partly because if elephant comes close but fails, they’ll be inheriting a stronger community. Either way, it’s a win-win.
The sale price and terms are, by law, public: click here for more information.
With thanks to all of you (especially those able to criticize or argue respectfully)—
Waylon Lewis
editor-in-chief, host
elephantjournal.com, Walk the Talk Show with Waylon Lewis
Connect: Facebook (34,000 fans) or twitter (29K followers, named #1 in US for Green in 2010)
You can subscribe to elephant here.
Incorrect source, offensive, or found a typo? Or do you want to write for Elephant?
Wow, that is big news! Surely we can round up 40,000 fans…!!!
Ha! You trickster, Way.
B@stard. You totally had me til I saw Duff's comment and realized the date. Fcuker
You had me too. Read this in the middle of my yoga practice (I know, I know) and in my spinal twist it hit me how it makes no sense. Then I realized what day it us. Nevertheless if that’s the amount of likes you need to enjoy this life and enrich it I will do what I can to help! Thanks for foolin’ me!
I totally hate you. Here i am enjoying my nice cup of warm tea, getting ready to start the day with an elephant, and you do this. Almost dropped my cup on my keyboard. If that had happened, I would be sending you the bill for a new computer. April Fools my ass! Y must you toy with my emotions on this lovely Friday.
;~)
OK, I am an April fool! (I blame grief… see also: On emptiness, grief and the unconditional love of a dog.
hahah…great! i totally forgot it was April 1st!
Good one! I was completely taken in. Now just to prepare for what my kids have planned for today. Gotta luv April Fools!
Wow. I was totally taken in by this…Now I need some deep breathing and a drink.
#
Deborah Boe Does this mean Elephant Journal ceases to exist and gets swallowed up by Yoga Journal?
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Justin Simon not if you recommend to all your friends to add/like it…did u see if they get 400.000 or more they'll stay in business?
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Coco Loco Yeah unfortunately looks like it. Am pretty disappointed that he is selling out to those lot! Especially after his rant about Huffington Post, this just smacks in the face of being a bit jealous of the cash!
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Heart Yoga That's a bit unfair
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)
Devyani Sadalkar It's great to be a fool
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Anita RodriguezdeDiaz AH! GOT ME!
#From a friend:
Wow, I just got your email about merging with Yoga Journal… No wonder you were so on my mind! I imagine that must have been a really difficult decision, but I want you to know–for what it's worth–that I think it's the right decision. I think life will get a little easier and happier…
Much love, L
#From a friend:
Waylon,
I just read the announcement. As a fellow small business owner I really get where you're coming from. I love the Elephant and I know you will watch out for her in whatever form she takes in the future. I'm sure that it was a hard decision to make, but without knowing all the details, I hope you increase the fan base to just under the goal- so you can take a healthy readership over to YJ and still have time for that meditation retreat (that neither of us have had time or money for!). I'll count on you to fill me in on the experience though
N
.. april fools…I hope!
Click the final link for details, Marylee. ~ Waylon
#From a friend:
Good Luck Waylon in whatever new adventures the Universe brings You, Namaste
From a friend:
it was a great run – I'll miss EJ.
HA HA HA
Just got your post on Elephant about the deal with YJ. Good for you, dude! You have earned it, and it sounds like a great fit, I really like the AIM people that I know.
This should free you up from the administrative stuff and hustling and let your creative and journalistic juices flow.
Keep it real, I know you will,
Cheers,
M & K
Congratulations on your new journey!
Hello Mr Lewis and congratulations on your new collaboration with Yoga Journal and all that will be unfolding! Happy trails!
~ A
This sounds alot like when Waylon Jennings said he had to sell a million records by a certain date or the Lord would "call him home." Or when Oral Roberts said…. well you get the idea
Shiva
dorkass
I was just thinking to myself "man I haven't had one april fools all day. I guess the follwoing line should have given it away.
"I’m selling because, frankly, I’m tired of being broke. I’d like to… continue on my Buddhist path" No conflict there at all! LOL
Classic!
ohhhh my god i thought this was real. goes to show you should click on all links!
[...] of you will have seen the April Fool’s joke concerning Yoga Journal, that was posted earlier this morning. These are the tactics of a desperate man, and this is no [...]
exceptional!
[...] replay key and listened again—same message, and no recognition of any tone to suggest a wayward April Fool’s prank from one of my slightly twisted friends who think they’re funny. This was the real deal. And [...]
Ooooooh, I really dislike April Fool's Day.
You'd be the biggest fool
Well played, Waylon. Well. Played.
I guess I didn't read anything on elej on 4/1 last year or the year before, because I just saw this in the daily email and IT TOTALLY GOT ME. Oh man. So gullible!
That was a good one!!! The best one since the Taco Liberty bell one in the 90's!! Well done!!
Sh**t!! OK I’m teaching in Cancun this week, reading your post and thinking ‘good for you’ (sob, sob!) and sucks for us then realize we’d been punked!! (Ha, ha!). This is WHY we love you!!
I don't get got….until today. Nice.
I stopped breathing for a minute. Long live Elephant!!
You need to get right with Jesus.
thanks for your journal
I have enjoyed it the last few months since I found it and I like the way you send me video leads.
You are on the leading edge, have fun riding the wave of magic becoming visible.
I completely understand you business "cries"…I too ended up in the office…instead of the farm.
I make olive oil here in N California and am looking for someone to take over too.
I want to be on the farm! I also run a retreat center and have been into metaphysics for 40 years.
Know any "want a be" farmers who can do internet sales? Life is bliss. Thanks for existing.
Peace 4oliveus, Susie see http://www.masteringalchemy.com and bentinhomassaro.com XXOO
Waylon….I found you and happened upon the Elephant because someone now so very special to me knew what one very special one of mine chose and her passion led her …there like it is suppose to but more I may be one of the far fans but you can be sure I was here because if YOU !! Thank you for being the ‘way’ because you have it all you had and passion get’s one who knows it enough to make sure no other purpose could more valuable than to know what one lives to love to do and be !! Thank you and for all the right behind doing it best IS the elephant walked way …..like one would know!!
!
Take those insults critics and all the naysayers as a complete compliment!!! Dare the standard be imposed normally !!
Wow. Waylon and staff, you have done a tremendous job. I cannot tell you how much I have enjoyed reading elephant and knowing that there are other people out there dealing with all kinds of issues with grace, humor and intelligence. You have helped me enormously through a divorce, relocation and returning to graduate school. THANK YOU< THANK YOU for all your work over the years!!!!!!!!!