rebelling against low expectations

Announcement: Growing Website, New Editorial Team

By Brett Harris
July 28, 2015
97 comments
A

For the last several years I’ve run this website by myself.

And to be honest, I’ve had trouble keeping up with it.

As hard as I’ve tried there have been many days and weeks where caring and providing for my sick wife hasn’t left time for making a blog post or responding to important emails.

As a result you’ve probably noticed gaps in posting or wondered why you never heard back from me after submitting an article, story, or project for publication.

But God has been gracious. Despite my limitations, TheRebelution.com has continued to grow, thanks to our 100+ amazing teen writers and the community of rebelutionaries that frequent the site.

Growth despite limitations

Here are some amazing statistics:

Our website traffic this month is on track to double our traffic from the same time last year.

So far we’ve exceeded 50,000 unique visitors in four out of the first seven months of 2015 — after doing so only once in the eighteen months prior.

Our readers (that would be you guys!) are incredibly engaged with our content, posting nearly 2,700 comments on the site each month — an average of 112 comments per post.

On Facebook we regularly reach over half-a-million people per month — and in April 2015 we reached 871,762 unique users with our content.

Here’s just one example:

facebook_post

This is incredible stuff and an amazing tribute to God’s faithfulness and the strength of our movement. I’ve been barely maintaining the website — and yet it grows and grows.

An exciting announcement

Still, I’m convinced we are barely scratching the surface of what God can do (and what I believe He wants to do) through TheRebelution.com.

And today I get to announce an exciting step into the future: the formation of a brand new Editorial Team, led by our very own Jaquelle Crowe.

jaquelle_i_dont_date

You probably already know Jaquelle as one of TheReb’s most popular (and prolific) contributing writers. She’s not only an excellent writer, she writes about important things in thoughtful, powerful ways.

Over the last two months Jaquelle had gradually taken charge of all aspects of TheRebelution.com — from reviewing submissions, to posting articles, to managing our Facebook page.

Assisting Jaquelle every step of the way is our first Editorial Intern, Disqus User: liv737johnoxide, who requests that we not publish his name given his plans to serve the Lord overseas in hostile nations.

Their work has already taken our operations to the next level.

Young people submitting content to the website will now hear back within a week, rather than never or after several months.

We are posting six times per week without fail and twice-per-day on Facebook.

Everything I used to do for the website is being done better and more consistently. But this is only the beginning.

Greater things are yet to come

As a team we have bigger goals than just setting up good systems and keeping the trains running on time.

What Jaquelle and liv737johnoxide have accomplished in their first few months on the job is incredible and foundational — but it’s just the foundation.

As the new Editorial Team takes day-to-day operations off my plate, I am being freed up to focus on new projects.

Let me be clear: I’m not going anywhere. These changes are about freeing me up to do the things I want to do most, like writing, teaching, and growing the impact of this message and movement.

For example, earlier this year we launched Do Hard Things University — an online training course for young people who want to change the word.

do_hard_things_university

Now my dad and I are almost ready to launch Raising Kids to Do Hard Things — an online course (and upcoming book) that trains parents how to raise self-motivated kids and do hard things as a family.

raising_kids_to_do_hard_things

These resources (and more to come) are all designed to help teens and parents take the concepts of “doing hard things” and “rebelling against low expectations” and actually apply them and live them for the good of others and the glory of God.

In addition to new books and online courses, we have lots of plans for growing the website, training our writers (and launching many writing careers), and maybe even starting a Do Hard Things Podcast.

We’re stoked about the possibilities as we continue growing our team and pursuing excellence in everything we do.

Please pray for us and for the movement

These are exciting days, but we need your prayers. Pray for God’s guidance. Pray for clarity of vision. Pray for steadfast determination in pursuing that vision. And pray that we would do all things for the glory of God alone.

We’ll keep you updated in the weeks and months ahead.

Share Your Thoughts in the Comment Section!

There are currently 4 Comment(s)

Photo courtesy of Matt Gibson and Flickr Creative Commons.

signup_for_email_updates_banner

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

About the author

Brett Harris

is co-founder of TheRebelution.com and co-author of Do Hard Things, along with his twin brother, Alex. He is married to his best friend, Ana, who blogs at AnaHarrisWrites.com. He is the founder of the Young Writers Workshop — an ongoing coaching program for serious writers.

View all posts

97 comments

  • As much as I can!

    Oh, and before I forget, on my user profile here it has
    foreversoldiersofgod.blogspot.com

    Would it be too much trouble for it to be changed to the new website: TheSoldiersofGod.com

    You’re awesome Brett!
    – Trent

  • Woah! This is awesome! Guys, you’ll do an awesome job! Can’t wait to see what God’s got in store for this next season!

  • Wow. That’s big news! How exciting that this has grown to be large enough to require bringing on more people to help run!

  • That’s awesome! Looking forward to all these exciting things and will keep you all in my prayers!!

  • Reading all of the things happening with the Rebelution makes me beyond excited for the growing community of teens who desire to go beyond low expectations and do hard things. Everything you discuss in this announcement, Brett, indicates that the Rebelution is growing and expanding strategically, and I love it!

  • This is all so excited!! I’m excited for the new team on the website and excited for everything else you are planning! God has clearly blessed this movement so much and I will be praying for you as you make these changes and praying that the message will reach many more people!
    -Grace (meyougod.blogspot.com)

  • This is going to be a big new step, but it sounds so fantastic! God is so good – may He continue to bless! I will continue to pray for you all and the new editorial staff. Thank you so. much. Brett for all you have done and all you are continuing to do!!!

  • This is exciting! It’s so great to see how it’s grown so much here this year and I pray that it continues to with all of these new blessings! Best of luck (providence?)

  • Exciting stuff! I think this situation is a testament to the power and sustainability of the rebelutionary message.

  • This is awesome! I know Jaquelle personally and she is an amazing sweetheart – so pleased to hear this exciting news! 😀

  • God bless you, sir! Keep fighting the good fight of faith. We will be praying for you and your family. 🙂

  • This is awesome! I am glad for how much this movement has had an impact in my life, and in the life of many, many others. Keep it up guys!

  • I am happy that the Rebulution is growing and I am thankful to have found a resource of people that encourages you to do hard things.

  • It sounds like something big! Looking forward to all these upcoming movements! Will pray! 🙂

  • Come on! I believe this will come to pass, for God sees the desires of The Rebelution’s team and everyone who is giving their effort to run this website. I thank God for using this website and especially the book for putting that fire in my heart back in 2010. I haven’t done any kinds of do hard things since the first time I finished reading the book, but it’s never too late to do hard things!

    I’m 20, and now I’ve taken up the position in our organization as the community outreach representative. It’s just the beginning! Late bloomer? Maybe, Yes. But still, do everything for God! To bring him glory, honor, and praise!

    I’m praying for clarity of the vision of The Rebelution, praying for the passion that it will never run out, for that passion will glorify God, and bring him honor. Lord, thank you for this wonderful people who is living halfway across the world but thanks to the internet, I’m able to pray for them through this comment. I pray Father, for wisdom for them and that you grant their desire in their hearts. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

    Change the Campus. Change the World! Woohoo! -Amos, Philippines 🙂

  • I saw your name on there and I was like, “wait, I know that person!” 😀

  • Sam S said it all, but I’ll add on. This is so great! I can’t wait to see where God takes this!

  • Brett, I will definitely keep your work in my prayers. It is amazing to see how much God has already done through you!

  • This is wonderful! I will be keeping you, and the various people behind the scenes in prayer.

  • Thanks so much, Leti. It really is amazing to stop and reflect on all that God has done through this message and movement. And it’s even more amazing to realize that it’s not over and the best may be yet to come!

  • This is awesome. My own personal life has lead to a decrease in my interaction in the comments and with other Rebelutionaries, but I greatly desire for the site to continue to grow and reach more teens.

    Jaquelle, will you be maintaining your own site as well? It’s another site I enjoy reading as I have time!

  • I’m so glad that you’ve found someone to help you Brett.
    I’ll be praying for you, Jaquelle, and everyone else involved.

    Can’t wait to see were God leads this!
    ~Renée

  • Hey Brandon! Thank you for your encouragement. Yes, I will still be maintaining jaquelle.ca. That’s still my personal online home, but I’m so excited about taking a bigger part in TheRebelution!

  • Thanks for all the prayers! Keep m’ coming. We need just as much as we can take 🙂

  • Thanks to Brett and Jaquelle for being the best bosses ever!!!!! You guys are great 🙂

  • Wonderful! Congratulations to Jaquelle and liv737johnoxide! I am excited to see what the Lord has in store!

  • I think that this is great! I was wondering why the emails stopped, my inbox will be flooded with messages now!

  • Hey Brett, I am physically so old but still just learning. I am super impressed with your family predicament and your response. I have had the manifesto around the house for several years but just started reading it in July. I am energized. I have been through a lot in life but sincerely wish I had started out like you. In a way I did as there was no such thing as the internet when I was a teen. I was left to my own, pretty much unparented. I am still overcoming the effects of that now. How can I best plug in to the Rebelution? I got born again when I was 19 and was asked by the director of campus ministry if I didn’t want to be a little light shining for a long time. My response was, “No, I want to be a flamethrower and set something on fire.” I still want to live like that.

  • I am so excited! I have read several of Jaquelle’s articles and I loved them. She is very encouraging and uplifting and always gives glory to Christ! Thanks a ton to Jaquelle, Brett and all other writers for their encouragement and support. I hope the Lord moves in great ways in your lives. I will be praying for all you brothers and sisters in Christ. And I pray that your wife has strength and peace, Brett.
    God bless you! 🙂

  • Hello Still on the wheel! Thank you for your comment. I’m sorry to hear all that you’ve been through, but am thankful for the perspective you have now and the willingness to shine bright for God’s glory.

    You can plug into The Rebelution in a number of ways. The most fundamental and important way is to just live the message, right where you are, stepping outside your comfort zone to obey God and love others.

    You can also plug into the community here by signing-up for my email updates so you don’t miss important announcements:

    https://my.leadpages.net/leadbox/143948b73f72a2%3A1325a4d5fb46dc/5730082031140864/

    If there are ways you can spread this message in your area, to others in your church and community, that will help you grow and help the movement grow at the same time.

    I hope these ideas are helpful. May God richly bless you!

  • Hey @Shadeslayer52898:disqus! I’m curious to know what you mean by, “I was wondering why the emails stopped”? Which emails are you referring to?

  • As Brett and liv737johnoxide have already said, we so appreciate your prayers. And I am especially encouraged by all of your kind, excited responses about the new editorial direction of TheReb! I’m grateful for and genuinely stoked about this opportunity. There are big days for TheRebelution ahead and I can’t wait to see the message of Do Hard Things continue to spread! 🙂

    Jaquelle

  • Yeah! This is awesome! SO excited! Glad you are taking steps to help it continue to grow!!

  • This is incredible! I’m so happy to see The Rebelution continue to grow after all these years, and I hope to be a part of it for many more. God bless you all!

  • Hey Christy!! Good to see you again!! haven’t been around in a while actually. Glad to be back again!! 🙂

  • very excited about this! I love reading your articles, Jaquelle, so I am pretty thrilled to hear about this. Continued prayers for all of you!

  • although, didn’t you have one up several months ago? Oddly enough, I wasn’t even posing for this pic. My mom snapped the picture when I wasn’t looking and it turned out perfect, as in, it makes my violin look way cool!!

  • Yes I did!! It certainly did turn out great!! You are very pretty by the way! 😉

  • Hey, I’m glad we’re both back! I’m still not as active as I used to be, but I’m slowly getting back into it. 🙂

  • You mentioned how there were some gaps in your e-mail sending, that is what I’m referring to.

  • I’m so excited to see where God takes the Rebelution! I’ll be praying for you three, and for your wife as well Brett!

  • Oh how exciting! *does a weird little happy dance thingy*
    I’m praying for all you guys!

  • beautiful violin. Thanks! I should really put up a selfie of me at 7:00am on Saturday morning, I do not look so put together! 😛 This picture just happened to make me look better than normal. I’m usually sporting a “washed out” look! 🙂

  • Hey, you’re applying what you’ve written about collaboration! By the way, where’s Alex in all of this excitement?

  • I believe he’s finished up law school by now. @liv737johnoxide:disqus, wanna fill us in? I want to know, too! 😀

  • Brett, I love how this new team has freed you up to reply to more emails 🙂 by the way, how’s Ana these days?

Read more

By Brett Harris July 28, 2015
97 comments
rebelling against low expectations

The Rebelution is a teenage rebellion against low expectations—a worldwide campaign to reject apathy, embrace responsibility, and do hard things. Learn More →