March 23 - Finally an apology

From: Pete
[mailto:pete@ancaster.com] Sent: Friday, March 23, 2012 10:39
AMTo: Subject: Re: The Factor is
Back

Hi
Joanne;

Reading through the message again I can understand why you had the reaction you did to it. The team that runs the site truly does apologize if you were in any way put out by this. I
know you may not believe this but it was never the intent. Let me explain - the
group wanted to put up a discussion page - much in line with the Reunion page
that exists there. When asked why people would want to do that it was because
people in Ancaster have a 'connection' or 'factor' which was the spirit of
togetherness having come from Ancaster. Very much the way you began your page
years ago. Seeing that you parked the idea 5 years ago and suggested that
facebook was the place to go it was suggested that, because Ancaster.com
was already using that as the commenting engine, a page could be created on the
site to allow those who wanted to keep in touch the ability to do so. Not to
hi-jack your page - but to offer a spot as it suggested using
facebook. Should we have tried to contact you to discuss - in hind
site absolutely - but in all honesty it was never anticipated that it would be
offensive. Quite the opposite it was intended to be complimentary which is why
your site was linked back to.

I do also agree the wording could/should have been better - but wholeheartedly the message you interpreted was not the intent. The Ancaster.com team is not benefiting by this in
any way - just as you were not. I know they are working today to change the land
page path as well to disassociate the name completely.

In light of the spirit this was created we discussed what we could do to make amends - apart from an apology and rebranding. Here's what we came up with: We took the fact that your site was
not updated since 2007 to mean you had abandoned it and were no longer
interested. I take it from your email that is not the case and that you are
actively working on the site. What we've suggested is to turn the current page
at ancaster.com/the-factor into a profile page on ancasterfactor that you can update. It can be a profile about your site and a permanent spot that will direct traffic your way to highlight your new site. You'll benefit by getting any traffic that may already be going to that
page, as well as significant SEO 'juice' which will make your site rise to the
top of google search terms for whatever tags you want us to put on the
page.

Let me know what you think
Joanne.

Pete