Every person is defined by the communities (s)he belongs to (tweet this)
~ Orson Scott Card
Back when I launched Leaving Work Behind on Monday June 27th 2011, I referred to it as an “online accountability journal.” It was originally intended to act as a diary of my efforts to quit my job and build a successful online business.
After a while I started to attract a small audience and Leaving Work Behind became a blog – a place where people could read my articles and leave comments. To this day I pride myself on answering just about every single comment you guys take the time to write.
But in the past few months I have begun referring to Leaving Work Behind as a community. Why? Because I want this site to be more than just me talking to you. I want it to be a conversation. I want it to be a debate. I want Leaving Work Behind to be me helping you, and you helping each other.
And that is why I am so incredibly excited to share with you today the biggest evolution of Leaving Work Behind yet. Read on to discover how this brand new community can help to change your life.
A Completely New Design
So let’s start with the most notable thing: the design. If you’re reading this post on a RSS feed reader, click here to see it in all its glory.
Although I was quite attached to the old design (it was mainly coded by me), I knew that if I wanted to elevate Leaving Work Behind to another level, it needed a design that reflected exactly what the community can offer to my audience (you guys!).
While a website design cannot directly help people, I believe that a professional and highly usable design gives every single visitor to Leaving Work Behind a greater opportunity to understand what I can offer them.
The site is now fully responsive (i.e. it looks great on all platforms) and has been carefully designed to put my core message front and center and give the reader clear direction on what they should do when they arrive. In my opinion, that is what good design is all about: communicating a clear message and offering clear direction.
For those of you who are interested in how the design came together, I will be publishing an in-depth post soon!
The Manifesto
I’ve always felt that Leaving Work Behind has had “gaps.” It has never really formed a coherent whole. Creating the Leaving Work Behind manifesto represents one step I have taken to elevate the message I have and shout it from the rooftops.
Put simply, anyone who visits this site and is at all interested by it needs to read the manifesto. In my opinion, doing so is the key first step in leaving work behind. It is the foundation upon which everything else is built. If you’re an email subscriber then I will have already been sent it to you. If you’re not then you can download the manifesto directly here (or sign up to the email list and I’ll send it straight to you).
Please read it and let me know what you think. I hope it really gets you fired up to leave work behind.
The Email List
There’s a very good reason why the manifesto is packaged as an incentive to sign up to my email list. While a blog is not typically a good interface for taking your audience through a process (i.e. the process of leaving work behind), an email autoresponder can be used to offer a means of navigating the most important things that I have to offer.
That starts (but doesn’t end) with the manifesto. By signing up to the email list you will get weekly updates that inform you of new posts on the blog as well as any news, views and sneak peeks I can share with you. But before that, the autoresponder series will take you on a guided tour of what the Leaving Work Behind community has to offer, including my Facebook page and Twitter profile, but more importantly, the forums.
Beyond that I will use the autoresponder to point subscribers in the direction of my best content, and eventually, to my information products (both free and paid) that they can use to help them leave work behind.
Cynics will say that the email autoresponder series is just a mechanism for making money, and I understand the argument. After all, its final goal will be to point people in the direction of my information products. But with good reason – my information products are (and will continue to be) the very best advice that I can offer, structured in the most logical manner. Furthermore, 100% money back guarantees ensure that each purchaser can get a full refund if they are dissatisfied.
Many bloggers see their autoresponder as a sales funnel. I see it as the most effective means to help people. That is why the number one thing I want visitors to do is subscribe to my email list.
The Community Forums
Although I am excited about the manifesto and my new email autoresponder, the thing I am most excited about is the new Leaving Work Behind Community Forums. I can’t believe I hadn’t thought of it sooner – since you guys are often so vocal in the comments section, creating a forum where we can all hang out seems a logical evolution.
And true to my comments replying form, I will be highly active on the forums. While I may not be able to respond to everyone, I will do my darndest to. Having said that, I am hoping that the forums will be characterized by everyone being willing to help each other. While I don’t expect to become redundant, I do hope that the Leaving Work Behind community will use the forums as a means of helping themselves and helping each other.
So please, take a moment now to sign up to the forums and post a new thread. I recommend that you start by sharing your story – I’d love to know more about you. Then, feel free to ask any questions that you may have and we’ll all do our best to help you.
What Has Driven This Evolution?
If you’re a regular LWB reader, you’ll know that my priorities these days are (a) helping people and (b) building something that I can be truly proud of.
Here’s the thing: I earn enough money to support my quality of life. I don’t need more money. So in the true spirit of the Leaving Work Behind movement, my focus these days is on my happiness rather than financial wealth. And what makes me happy? Helping people and doing things that I love.
Those two priorities have entirely driven this new incarnation of Leaving Work Behind. The new-and-improved website you see today represents an enormous leap forward in terms of how I can help you to achieve your own goal of leaving work behind and gives you a healthy taste of what is to come.
What Next?
When it comes to the evolution of this site, I feel like I have just reached the end of the beginning and I’m firing up to really make Leaving Work Behind a difference-maker for you.
Over the next few months you can of course expect the usual weekly articles here on the blog, but beyond that, I am gearing up to release a number of products that I believe could help to truly change your life for the better.
Thank you for reading, and stick around – I’ve got some really exciting plans for the future.
Please Share (Your Thoughts!)
This site lives and dies by your involvement, which is I would like to ask a favor of you now. If you could just spare a few moments to share this post with your friends and followers I would be grateful. Please feel free to share the manifesto freely too.
Beyond that, I can’t wait to read what you think in the comment section, so please share your thoughts on the new Leaving Work Behind design with us below!
And if you discover any bugs, broken links, typos or strange-looking things on the site, please let me know and I’ll get them fixed.
Kaya Ismail says
Fantastic. When I saw that you added a discussion forum, I pretty much mentally applauded you.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Kaya! Welcome to the new LWB 🙂
Emelia says
Hi Tom, I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of months and you are one of the people who inspired me to start my own writing blog. Congratulations and All the best with Leaving Work Behind!
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Emelia 🙂
Michal says
Hi Tom,
You are always a few steps in front of me… I’m still thinking about launching community forum and you have already done it. Congratulations!
LWB redesign is perfect. Love it! Keep up doing the great job.
What’s next? Podcast? 😉
Cheers!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Michal! Glad you like the new design 🙂
What’s next? Rest and recuperation! 😉
Moses Kerub says
I’ll quote what I wrote in the Facebook update: “Best redesign I remember since several years”
Really Tom, you really upped your game with this one.
I love it.
Tom Ewer says
Wow; thanks Moses! I really appreciate that 🙂
Vukasin says
WOW! Tom, site looks amazing. I’m not sure what words I should choose so I can describe my face when I visited your blog few minutes ago. Design is really awesome, same as content you published.
However, now when you have forum, I have a place where I will probably hang out with others. I didn’t use forums to much yet, but now I will definitely sign up for one.
I also recommend you to check out Matt’s forum (Matt is Matthew Woodward). He also integrated forum on the same way as you are.
There are definitely some good ideas to check on there (if you already didn’t).
Wish you the best in the future Tom.
You are a great guy!
Tom Ewer says
Hey Vukasin,
Thank you for the kind words! 🙂
I know all about Matt — his forum was partly the inspiration for mine and I went to him for advice.
Looking forward to chatting with you on the forums!
Cheers,
Tom
Kara says
Tom – The new site and integrated forum look fantastic. It would be great to see a post about any tips you have in setting up/integrating BBPress. Cheers.
Tom Ewer says
I will be doing that Kara, after I’ve figured out how to make the most of it!
Joe Garma says
As one who has followed your online evolution from the beginning, I’m so impressed about how you continue to improve the quality and relevancy of your work.
Great new look and focus… wishing you much success with it!
-Joe
Tom Ewer says
Thank you, as always Joe, for your ongoing support!
Jolene says
LOVING the new look and the natural evolution of this community. Your message is placed in front of us with stellar style and class but also with clearer purpose. I can’t wait to dig into the forum and see what other tremendous people I can meet, and learn with and from, along with you Tom. Thanks for opening a door to new possibilities Tom, and I love the new look.
Tom Ewer says
Thank you so much Jolene! See you in the forums 🙂
Daryl says
Hey Tom,
I love the new look too! It definitely has a really smooth and professional feel to it.
I’m super excited that you decided to evolve your blog into a community – I definitely feel like a lot of people will be able to benefit and I’m going to make sure to sign up!
Can’t wait to see what new things you have in store.
Cheers,
Daryl
Tom Ewer says
See you on the forums Daryl!
Rael says
Hi Tom,
I’ve been following LWB since its early days and I must say that the new design is fantastic! Congratulations and thank you for giving us awesome content 🙂
Cheers!
Tom Ewer says
It’s my genuine pleasure Rael!
Heike says
Hi Tom,
I think I’m the only one, who does not like the new design. To me it appears a lot “colder” than the old one.
But I still love your content & maybe I’ll get used to the new design in a couple of weeks 🙂
Greetings from Cologne
Heike
Tom Ewer says
You can’t please everyone Heike 🙂 I do assure you that it’s the same old me 🙂
Michael Agene says
Hey Tom.
Since you became more of a controversial writer, I knew you were up to something super dynamic.
I totally love this!
Congrats!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Michael, appreciate it!
Jamie Alexander says
Congrats on the new design, Tom.
It’s very nice and polished. I think it feels a lot more personal that the new direction a lot of the other blogs headed in, which is a good thing imo.
Tom Ewer says
I am definitely looking to sit on the crossroads of personal/approachable yet professional, so I’m glad to read that Jamie. Thanks!
Rob says
Hey Tom
Look at you you’re in the big league now where you belong!
I was driving when the message came through about the manifesto and redesign, I couldn’t wait to get home and check it out. You’ve exceeded my expectations and then some, great usable design and I didn’t see the forum coming but I’m glad it’s here.
Looking good.
Rob
Tom Ewer says
Hey Rob,
I don’t know about the big league but I appreciate the sentiment! 🙂
Cheers,
Tom
reward says
Hi, Tom
Awesome work you’ve got here. I’m kinda a newbie here so I’m not familiar with your previous works. I’m really impressed though with your response to every single comment. That’s really touching and takes effort.
Nice!
Tom Ewer says
Welcome — hope you hang around! 🙂
Jackson Anderson says
Tom, what can I say except congratulations!
The site looks absolutely amazing and you’re obviously making a massive leap forward with your business! I’m sure this will become the talk of many successful bloggers as I think the potential that lies in the forums is going to huge!
I also very much look forward to reading the manifesto when I have spare time this evening!
All the best, it’s crazy to see how far you’ve come in two years and who knows what the next two years holds! Something even better I’m sure!
All the best!
Jackson
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Jackson, I really appreciate your support! 🙂
Nicolia Whyte says
*slow applause*
Good job, sir! I love the new look and most importantly, your manifesto is beautiful. I wish I had something like that when I graduated from college four years ago. Then I would have known I wasn’t crazy or lazy for thinking that being a stay at home mom was preferable to slowly loosing my mind in graduate school.
Tom Ewer says
Haha — well at least you know now Nicolia 😉
Nicolia Whyte says
Better late than never!
Sheila says
Hey Tom ! Looks great, clean and minimalist design and points you to the important stuff. I’m viewing on mobile right now so will have to check it out on my laptop later.
The forums – wow, what a surprise ! 🙂 Love your work Tom, well done.
Tom Ewer says
Ah — glad it looks good on whatever device you’re browsing on — I’m going for accessibility and usability across the board!
Sheila says
Yep! Neat and clean on the mobile – Google Chrome on Adroid fyi.
Viewing on the laptop now! Even better. I thought the previous design was clean, but you’ve decluttered even more.
I tried signing up for the manifesto and I wasn’t allowed because I was already a subscriber. Then I saw your email just now. haha
Tom Ewer says
Yep, you got it first 😉
Mary says
Hi! I’d love to join the community — have followed your blog for about a year now, Tom. Slight technical glitch — I clicked on the activation link that was emailed to me, and it says it’s an invalid key.
Tom Ewer says
Hey Mary,
Let me know what username and email address you’d like and I’ll set it up for you!
Cheers,
Tom
Perrin says
OMG I am so excited with your all new LWB! You have, after all, inspired me to do more for my (miserable) blog! LOL! Congrats Tom! 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Perrin!
Jon Haver says
Tom, awesome redesign, the clean and consistent theme throughout is great. My only question is on the “lead magnet” is the manifesto the most attractive offer?
Also interesting location for the comment box above the comments, I am not sure if I have seen that on many other sites.
Really love the new design and direction – well done!
Tom Ewer says
Hi Jon,
Thanks! Interesting question…I would say it’s the right incentive for the type of person I’m trying to attract, but not necessarily the right incentive for others…
Cheers,
Tom
Designer Rob Russo says
Wow. New site is really looking great, Tom. Love the blue. My favorite thing (as a designer, I love to spot little design nuances and such) is the birds and bar with share buttons separating the article and the comments. Rock on!
Tom Ewer says
I can’t take credit for it but I agree that it looks great 😉 Thanks Rob!
Michael Monturo says
You definitely are inspiring others to quit their day job and strive for bigger and better things.
By the way, I love the new design, it’s got a great feel to it.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Michael, really appreciate it 🙂
Christian Slagter - Slagter Media says
Nice going Tom, love the design! And great that you have build a forum, I think many will appreciate.
Keep inspiring peaople!
Tom Ewer says
I’ll try my best Christian — thanks!
Razwana says
Love, love, LOVE the new site design, Tom! And looking forward to getting to know the community here more !
– Razwana
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Razwana!
Miki Vicioso says
Good job Tom! This came out beautiful! Like how you integrated the little birds on the share bar.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Miki 🙂
Diana M. says
I love it! I really do. Looks so professional. The blue color adds vitality and incorporates perfectly with the rest. And so many new ideas: the forum (I can’t wait to sign in), the mailing list (great for new users, I believe it should help orientate themselves in your useful blog pots) and the manifest. I enjoyed reading the story about fisherman, it reminded me the Dalai Lama words:
““Man […] sacrifices his health in order to make money.
Then he sacrifices money to recuperate his health.
And then he is so anxious about the future that he does not enjoy the present;
the result being that he does not live in the present or the future;
he lives as if he is never going to die, and then dies having never really lived.”
What about the manifest in one page? Something as a high resolution poster that could be downloaded by your blog visitors. Would be great for motivation.
Congratulations!!! Once again!
Tom Ewer says
Hey Diana,
A poster would be good — let me think about that! Thanks!
Tom
Kent Faver says
Very, very nice Tom – Congrats!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Kent!
Melissa says
It looks fantastic, Tom! Still a clean design with a pop of color. Thanks again for being in Blog Design for Dummies!
Tom Ewer says
My pleasure Melissa — it was awesome to see the site in print 🙂
Kirsty Stuart says
Congrats Tom – love the new LWB. It looks amazing and I’m sure the forums will take off. Nice one!
Tom Ewer says
Thank you Kirsty 🙂
Karen Martínez P. says
Awesome! I like the new design, specially the color addition.
About the community, it’s a step in the right direction!
Nice job 🙂
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Karen! Every step in right direction is a victory as far as I’m concerned 🙂
Stuart says
Nice work. Somehow it manages to feel both new and familiar at the same time – no mean feat.
I trust you resolved your issue with how to pull in reusable content 🙂
Tom Ewer says
I think I’ve got it figured out 🙂 Thanks Stuart!
mark says
Tom,
To be honest, I did not notice the face lift because it was so subtle. I went to Wayback Machine and looked to see the difference.( http://web.archive.org/web/20130115032021/http://www.leavingworkbehind.com/ ) You definitely have better use of real estate space. Smaller header = more good stuff above the fold. The manifesto is kick @sss too.
I feel the same way about money that you do too. While having a lot is great, living the life of that fisherman is more satisfying. I work 4 days a week and provide a good living for my family.
My dream ever since I was 12 years old was to become a writer. Some how I lost sight of that dream until I started writing posts for blogs on affiliate marketing sites. While I have not made much more than to buy a new computer, pay for expenses, etc., I truly enjoy writing.
I can now see how I can write for a living.
A good friend of our family works 1-2 days a week selling “junk” at flea markets in the Bay Area of California. He does not want to waste precious time away from his family working 40 hours a week when he can make as much money in 1 or 2 days.
Cheers!
Tom Ewer says
I love your attitude Mark! That’ll make success for you all the more likely. Cheers!
Kristin says
Hey Tom! Love your blog…so glad you decided to create the forums. Your website looks great!
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Kristin 🙂
amwarner says
Hey Tom,
Love the new site design. Looks awesome and really clean.
As for the forum, just signed up. Yea, this site really needed this for a while. Glad you created it.
Tom Ewer says
Fantastic — look forward to speaking with you there!
Kristi says
Love it all… the re-design, the new focus, the new forums, EVERYTHING!!
Well done, Tom!! Keep leading; we’ll keep following!
Tom Ewer says
Really glad you like it Kristi — thanks for your support!
Debashish says
This is awesome Tom. I’ve always felt that a blog that brings together people, under a common cause, must naturally expand into a community. Congratulations on the big step up.
I love the design. Simple, solid colours; clean 2 column layout; focus is on the content; and the almost ubiquitous feature box. I am definitely going to be taking cues from your website, for designing my own blog. Thanks a lot, and keep up the great work.
Tom Ewer says
Thanks Debashish, appreciate it!
Kim says
Like it! This is the first time I have stopped in though, after reading your article on Flippa today.
Tom Ewer says
Glad you like it! Please do stay around 🙂
Jamie Hudson says
Thanks for sharing the informative post!
Well, great job done 🙂 Keep up the good work!