Name of your website?Lithuanian Pride
Your name?
Michael Mursko (a.k.a. Mykolas)
Your Location (city, etc)
West Haven
Please give us a short summary of your website?
An English Language Website designed with the intention of providing information about a wide variety of Lithuanian related topics as well as links to interesting and useful information. Visitors are encouraged to share thoughts,memories and photos. And are invited to participate in the devolpment of our site in the spirit of community sharing and interaction.
What inspired you to launch your own website?
The thought occured to me that while most Lithuanian websites contain valuable links and information, and are operated by sincere, helpful and devoted staff members...one vital element is usually missing.And that would be the opportunity for interaction with and amongst members of our greater community. After having visited many websites over the years, I was often left with the feeling of being just a "window shopper".Only able to peer through the glass at what is presented to me by the "Store Front"...or website. Being a Carpenter by trade, I decided to "Build a Door" where others could enter and share my love and enthusiasim for our Lithuanian Heritage.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
Lithuanian Pride is my first website!
How did you decide on a name for your website?
My decission to name my website was based on the obvious! Although we are a comparatively small ethnic group that has been the target of destruction and assimilation by outside forces for centuries, our passion for our heritage has never diminished! Nor has the pride we share in being part of a relatively unique culture.
What makes it different from other, similar offerings?
Lithuanian Pride is similar to other sites in the fact that it is dedicated to the preservation of many different aspects of our heritage as well as the continuation of association with those who are Lithuanian born and those who are descendants. It is different by means of recognizing that a "Community" cannot be, unless all members are given a forum by which they may express themselves and offer their opinions an matters that continue to define our community in large.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
My goal is to maintain this site for the purpose I created it for. It is my hope to someday be able to expand our "services" to our community in a way that reflects the interests and desires of those who visit this site and hopefully participated in the devlopment.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
My investment of time is extensive. My monetary investment is for the time being "out-of-pocket" and I do not subscribe to paid advertisement as of yet. I measure my success by the occassional compliments or congratulations received by visitors. Not by the volume of traffic. If I help just one more person to discover or reinforce our common bonds,I consider myself and those who assist me in my efforts, to be successful.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
Certainly I would advertise Lithunian Pride. More importantly I would focus my efforts on encouraging fellow Lithuanians and Descendents to take the initiatve to search for ways that they too can contribute to the fabric of our community.
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
The answer to this question is not simple. I certainly would devote as much time and energy as possible. I also would be faced with the difficult task of recruiting others who share my passion and may also have skills to contribute. The unavoidable fact remains that I must provide for my family and therefore find it neccesary to maintain my current status as a skilled worker. Though I would prefer to spend my time in a capacity that would benefit all hold their connections to Lithuania and our common ancestry.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Costs at the moment are a future consideration that will be more prevalent as my website hopefully continues to grow.
What has been your biggest challenge?
My biggest challenges have been trying to balance the time that I dedicate to my website with family matters and work schedules. Also promotion of my site is limited by the reluctance of other Lithuanian websites to add my URL to their list of links. I have been offered many explanations. However I beleive that many may feel that they are in competition for patronage.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
Word of mouth, Listing with major search engines and by the generosity of those websites which have included the addition of my URL without hesitation and in the true spirit of brotherhood.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
My expectations were realistic and accurate. Though I have been largley disappointed with the seeming lack of cooperation from other organizations. I do however place links to their sites on my pages as I feel that leadership by example is imperative.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
My website has been in operation for little over one year. I am not discouraged by the prospects of slow or minimal traffic. Though I intend to seek avenues that will allow growth and poplarity.
What is the driving thought behind your considerable efforts towards the creation of this website?
All that is neccesary for our Legecy as a distinct ethnic group to eventually fade into obscurity...is that enough good people do nothing to preserve it.
What is your website address?
Lithuanian Pride
