As a new year begins, it’s a good time to review what 2016 was all about for SouthSoundTalk. From which posts our readers most loved, to what people think of us, to how much we’ve grown, here’s a roundup of what made 2016 a standout year for our growing community social network.

Here are the 5 Stories that Our Community Loved Most in 2016

We love stories about inspiring local businesses, and our readers do too. You Are That Hot is one of the many businesses we’ve covered, but one of our readers’ favorites.

In addition to our own stories, we also publish some press releases for the community in our LocalTalk section, like this one that readers loved about the new playground at Northwest Trek back in March 2016.

Where can you go in Western Washington to see migrating whales? Writer Mariah Beckman offered tips in this piece about Hiking the Whale Trail.

Tacoma is filled with history around every corner. Writer Steve Dunkelberger dug into the history of Tacoma’s Rust Mansion…as well as rumors that still linger about the Rust family.

McNeil Island is more than the former location of a prison. It’s also a part of state history, and a big question mark going forward as the state figures out what to do with the site.

SouthSoundTalk has lot of great information about local events, businesses and the South Sound scene. – John Romaro

Readers Land on SouthSoundTalk.com Using These Top 5 Search Terms

Search terms are words people type into search engines. The terms people type in and end up on SouthSoundTalk help show what people most want to find on our pages, namely things to do, places to go and positive happenings in the Pierce County community.

  • Lego Brick by Brick Show Tacoma
  • Tacoma Restaurant Week
  • Best Breakfast in Tacoma
  • Cooking Classes Tacoma
  • Date Night Ideas Tacoma
SouthSoundTalk Demographics
SouthSoundTalk draws readers from different age groups, but a majority of our readers are female.

Our paid, professional writing team includes 19 regular contributors. Here are a few of their favorite stories from 2016.

My favorite story of the year has to be about Odd Otter Brewing. Daniel Beers always shares stellar stories, and what a cool place to read about! Veteran-owned, serving fun and funky brews, pets welcome and fun events held weekly? What is there not to adore about this place? – Mariah Beckman

From my short list of seven, I choose Vino Aquino – Your Friendly Neighborhood Winery by Kristin Kendle. The piece is heart-warming, intriguing and informative. The idea of Grandfather Gasparo hiding wine under his chicken coop during Prohibition is hilarious. The changes that owner Megan Bostic has done have given me several gift and entertainment ideas. – Michelle Robinson

My favorite article by another writer was Why Doesn’t Tacoma Have a Chinatown? It was a question I had when I first moved here, and I was both shocked and fascinated by the history behind it. I think it’s important that we embrace and retell history, regardless of how uncomfortable it might be. – Daniel Beers

You always help me to see more, to appreciate more, and know more and to just feel more excited about this beautiful place we live in! You add to and enhance my opportunities to experience more. And that is a beautiful thing. Keep doing it! Thank you! –Donna Van Cleef

Our editing team reads a lot of stories. Here are a few of our favorites from 2016

We’re Growing

People connect with SouthSoundTalk through social media. In 2016, our Facebook followers grew by 21.3% percent. Over the past year, 26,100 people reacted to our content.

Across Western Washington, our distribution network approaches 100,000 people that choose to hear from us on a daily basis. Besides SouthSoundTalk, you can find our sister sites at ThurstonTalk, WhatcomTalk, GraysHarborTalk, and LewisTalk.

As our local newspaper changed, it’s been harder, I think, to find the local flavor and learn what’s going on. SouthSoundTalk is a lovely way to stay connected and experience new adventures in the community! ~ Katey S.

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