And so it goes….

Erin Koen — Sat, 04 Jun 2011 16:27:28 +0000

So….I was up almost all night thinking about the fate of the site. As you know by now, most of the site has been down since mid March or so. The index page is up and the only working link is to this blog. Why is that? Well, I’ve explained it before but I’ll explain it again for those who didn’t read the other entries. Okay: Melorafan.com is actually built off of two different domains. There’s the main/index page at melorafan.com that holds the site navigation (the big pink dial with Melora in the middle). Then there’s all of the content pages. Those are actually built off of a separate program and domain (called melorafans.com. Plural, not singular) that program depends on a monthly fee of about 30 bucks or so (I think its somewhere between 30 and 40, I’m really not sure at the moment) A few months back (January?) I went completely broke. I mean literally bankrupt. I kid you not. I was out of work, out of funds, etc. It was pretty bad, folks. Yup. So I had to disable the content pages in March since I no longer had any money to pay for it. I figured maybe I’d figure out a plan within the few months I had in which the content would remain secure on the software account (everything is saved in your online account. It’s a convenient backup system actually. But the catch is if you don’t renew your account within a few months or so, all of your hard work vanishes for good). But now it’s a few months later and as you can see, the site is still not up. Do I have the funds now to pay for it? Yes. I do. But…..here’s the thing. If you read my previous post (post has since been deleted. sorry), you’ll see that during our downtime we actually went further on Google search than we ever did when we actually HAD content! I’ve spent years and years developing that content. I’ve poured blood, sweat, and tears into those sections of the site. And honestly….no one really paid much attention to that part of it. When I would go into my control panel to see the site stats, it used to make me a little sick. The only page people ever visited in strong numbers was the FAQ page (Melora’s FAQ, not the website’s). And do you know WHY they were going there? Or what key words brought them to there? I’ll tell you: BOOBS. No, seriously. People were searching for information about her frickin boobs. There were all sorts of variations of it too. Like “Melora Hardin Boob Job” “Melora Hardin Fake Boobs” etc etc, augmentation, chesticles…..yeah. You get the idea. Part of it is my fault, I’m sure. I made that big ole sexy promo video on you tube a few years back to get more traffic. And it definitely DID work. But I wasn’t actually bringing in the traffic I wanted. I was bringing in males 18-45 who watched the video (and did God knows what while viewing. Gross) and then went to Google and maybe searched for more info and/or photos about some MILF named Melora. And, y’know….her cans. Of course. Which would lead them to our FAQ where they would probably be disappointed to learn that her “Jan” boobs were just a fancy special effect done with a push up bra and hard padding. After they recovered from the shock they obviously had no other interest in the website and moved on to……I don’t even want to know.

My point here is this: I didn’t intend to make a website for hornballs. It was pretty fortunate for me, in terms of marketing options that is, that I built a site for/about a woman who is….well….easy on the eyes. Okay, fine, I’ll just say it. The chick is hot. Anyone with a working pair of eyes can see that! But my intention was to use her sex appeal in the advertising to lure people into the site. And I had hoped that once they came there seeking more sexy stuff or…whatever, then maybe they’d stick around for the articles and reviews and…..everything else I created on there. In other words, I wanted people to follow the scent of sex and candy only to find that this chick is actually MORE than a pretty face. I wanted them to look around and say “wait a minute. This chick has a brain and I kinda like it!” And there’s a reason for that. I wanted to redefine what it meant to be a fan. That was one of the biggest reasons I kept going with this thing. It was more to me than some silly little fan site. I wanted to make a difference. I really thought I could do it, too. But I just don’t think its in the cards after all. I just wanted people to stop being a stereotype. Stop screaming like a crazy nut job at celebrities when they are in your frickin presence! They are just people! Like you and me! They just happen to be really nice looking (well, most of them) with a really glitzy and glamorous job. And a lot of them, I’m sorry to say, are complete assholes with not much talent to claim their own. Stop putting flame to the crappy fire! You wanna admire someone? Then do some research. Read about what they REALLY have to say. Read about what charities they support. Try to actually get to know them past their pretty pictures! If you took the time to do that, you might not like what you see. Or, in the case of Melora…..you might find an actual person behind all that glitz and glam. A person that you would admire even if they were just your average, boring ole neighbor. I am that fan. I don’t admire Melora because of her talents as an actress (although I do think she is extremely talented, of course). I admire her simply because she’s a GOOD PERSON. I admire her because she’s positive and optimistic and doesn’t let the little (or big) things stop her from just…..doing what she loves. I admire her because despite her stunning looks and her showbiz family, she still had to fight to get where she is today in her career. I admire her because she’s a PERSON. Like you and like me. I admire her because she’s REAL. And I had hoped I could make the world see her through my eyes. I don’t know…I think I might’ve made a difference with a few of you, anyway. Did I?

Because, well, now….its up to YOU few to keep the torch going. Spread the word about her. Take what you learned from the experience and use it to REDEFINE WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A FAN. If you find yourself becoming a fan of someone, whether it be an athlete, actor, musician, etc…..ask yourself WHY you admire them. Look past the glossy pictures and find out who they ARE. If you still find yourself admiring them after all that….then get out there and actually DO something for them. You may not realize it but you truly have the power to make a difference in their lives and careers. A simple letter or petition or word of mouth works wonders, y’know. Don’t just be that fan that sits in one place and stares into pretty space. Get off your asses. Like I said on the site, don’t just be a fan. Be an OSCILLATING FAN. That means MOVE AROUND. Spread the freaking love in a calm, functioning manner instead of screaming in a crowd like an insane lunatic! It’s up to you now, okay? Because…..I can’t do this anymore.

Yes, that’s right. All this is leading to my farewell, folks. In the past I’ve written Melora on a number of occasions claiming “I have to take a break” or “I think this might be it for me” but I always ended up coming back or finding a way to continue on with the “show”. Not this time, though. I didn’t even write her directly this time because at this point she’s probably thinking “yeah yeah, I’ve heard this before”. So instead, I’m writing it all down here. Because I want it to be here for all to see for the next couple of years (the main page is pre paid so it will be around for a few more years. And I’ll just keep the only working link up. This blog. With this farewell post as the final entry in my fan page “career”) I will give Melora a link to it and maybe she’ll read it one day when she has the time. Or….maybe she wont, who knows. But I hope, for my sake, that she takes the time to read through this long ass goodbye at some point. So I guess I’ll just say….Melora….if you’re reading this…..I am very sorry it’s over for me and melorafan. It was a long journey and I think you know I did my very best. And though not all of it was a party….I have no regrets. Doing this project for you literally changed my entire life. You have NO idea how much you have impacted me. I’m serious. Because I knew you…..because I fell into this thing…..my whole life was turned upside down. And I had hoped that one day I could explain everything to you in more detail. If you knew the whole story….you’d be pretty damn amazed I think lol. Honestly, I feel it’s a story you probably should know. Maybe one day, if and when our paths cross again, you can take a moment and I’ll tell you all about it. But for now, I’ll leave you with one HUGE thing that comes from the bottom of my heart: THANK YOU. For….everything. You will forever be my “true north“. And though I say goodbye to this site, I think you know that I always have your back. No matter what…..I’m here for you.

As for my old staff, and of course all you fans out there…..a big thank you to you as well. Your support has meant the world to me. A few years ago, while talking on the phone to Melora’s husband Gildart, he said something to me that continues to haunt me to this day. He said “we need more fans like you, Erin”. Please do me and Gildart a huge favor and BE A FAN LIKE ME. Spread the word…..maybe even make your own Melora fan site now that this one is gone. I don’t care what you do. Just as long as you are DOING SOMETHING! Please at least continue to follow Melora’s career. Look for her in 2012 on the new TBS series “The Wedding Band” and always keep a lookout for her live musical performances too!

Thank you ALL. I cherish the memories…..each and every one of them. You will always be in my heart. If you would like to talk to me or if you need anything at all, give me a shout. I will continue to keep my email (admin@melorafan.com) as long as the index page remains up and running (two or three more years, I believe). Goodbye, good luck……and always be sure to ADORA!

I sign off with Melora’s signature, 8×10 Jan autograph: All my best (that’s what she said!)

Erin Koen
Administrator/Creator
Melorafan.com

Filed under: Fan Page, General News Tagged: Melora Hardin Fans

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And so it goes….