Why We’re Doing This—and What Comes Next for The Bayou Insider
I sat down to write this post with a full heart.
When I first launched this version of The Bayou Insider, I didn’t know exactly how it would take shape—I just knew something needed to change. I love Louisiana. I love its people, its stories, its music, its strange beauty. But I was tired of the way national media ignored us, misunderstood us, or reduced us to caricatures. And I was just as tired of local media that seemed more interested in playing politics than telling the truth.
So I decided to do something about it. I wasn’t sure how many people would read. I didn’t know if it would catch on. But I believed—and still believe—that there’s a hunger for something honest, local, and grounded in faith, culture, and community. That’s why this moment means so much.
The Numbers Tell a Story—But So Does the Heart Behind It
In the last 30 days, The Bayou Insider passed 3,200 views. That may not sound like much compared to national outlets or corporate media companies, but for a grassroots Louisiana-first project built from the ground up, it’s a major milestone.
Even more telling than the view count is the newsletter open rate—a staggering 51.65%. That’s not just good. That’s rare. In the publishing world, open rates over 20% are considered strong. Over 40% is exceptional. We’re breaking through the noise—and that tells me that this work matters to people.
These numbers aren’t just metrics on a dashboard. They represent you—our readers. People who open our stories because they care. People who want more than clickbait. People who want to know the truth about what’s happening in their state—and want to believe in it again.
But numbers alone aren’t the victory. What excites me more is that we’ve proven there’s an audience for journalism that isn’t divisive, shallow, or corporate. We’ve shown that there’s a hunger for something better.
Shaping the Conversation in Louisiana
Right now, far too much of our public conversation—especially around politics and culture—is rooted in fear, anger, or cynicism. We're bombarded by national talking heads and social media outrage machines. Even some local outlets seem more interested in protecting the powerful than telling the truth.
But The Bayou Insider is committed to something different.
We’re here to shape a better conversation—one rooted in faith, values, truth, and community. One that brings people together instead of driving them apart. We want to uncover corruption, yes. But we also want to elevate culture, celebrate heritage, and rebuild trust.
This work isn’t about inflaming division—it’s about building something new. A place where people from different walks of life can reconnect with what’s good, beautiful, and worth fighting for in Louisiana. Our culture, our food, our music, our history—these are the threads that bind us together. And we want to preserve them while also shining a light on what needs to change.
A Louisiana-First, Nonprofit Vision
We’re currently taking steps to transition The Bayou Insider into a fully recognized nonprofit. That’s not just a legal status—it’s a declaration of values.
We believe this platform should belong to the people of Louisiana. Not advertisers. Not political operatives. Not special interests. As a nonprofit, we’ll have the ability to pursue public funding, accept community donations, apply for grants, and maintain transparency in all our activities.
But more than anything, going nonprofit allows us to double down on our mission: Louisiana first. Always.
It means we answer to our readers—not to sponsors. It means we prioritize impact over algorithms, truth over traffic, and people over profit. This shift will let us build something sustainable, trustworthy, and community-driven for years to come.
Our Goal: One Percent of Louisiana, 100% Committed
Here’s the vision:
There are around 4.6 million people in Louisiana. Our goal is to consistently reach 1% of the population—about 45,977 people. That’s the target we’ve set—not because it’s easy, but because it’s worth aiming for.
And once we reach that threshold, we believe we can convert 10% of that audience into monthly paid subscribers. Not because we’re chasing money—but because sustainability matters. If we want to expand coverage, hire local writers, produce video content, and launch investigative series, we need a strong foundation.
What’s exciting is—we’re already well on our way. We’ve had stories picked up by state media. We’ve been mentioned on talk radio. We’ve received messages from readers who have encouraged us to keep going in our mission.
This tells me we’re not alone. There’s a movement quietly building. People are waking up. And they’re looking for a voice that isn’t owned, edited, or manipulated by outside interests.
That voice is us. That voice is you.
What We're Building—Together
Let me paint the picture of what we’ve done—and what we’re building toward.
We’ve published:
Investigations into the broken insurance system costing Louisiana families thousands.
Deep cultural stories on the spiritual legacy of Pentecostalism and Catholic traditions.
Historical reflections on everything from Mardi Gras to forgotten towns.
Hard-hitting news coverage of judicial misconduct, shady deals, and political power plays.
But that’s just the beginning.
We’re working on:
Launching a weekly podcast that breaks down the biggest stories in plain, honest language.
Short-form video segments that bring Louisiana’s history, legends, and values to life.
Expanded investigative work on environmental issues, economic inequality, and state corruption.
And most importantly, preserving and promoting the soul of Louisiana through real storytelling.
How You Can Help
If you believe in what we’re doing—if this work speaks to something deep in your heart—here’s how you can be part of it:
Share our stories. Text them to a friend. Post them on Facebook. Forward the newsletter to someone who loves Louisiana as much as you do. That’s how we grow.
Encourage us. This is a long road. A quick message, comment, or email means the world. It reminds us that people are listening—and that it matters.
Subscribe now. If you want to support this work financially, you can become a paid subscriber today. Every dollar helps us grow with integrity—and without having to sell our soul to big sponsors. If you can’t give, please still subscribe. There is a free option to do that and it helps us reach out goals!
We’re not asking for handouts. We’re inviting you to invest in something that belongs to all of us—a platform built by and for the people of Louisiana.
From Me to You
To everyone who’s taken the time to read a post, share it, leave a comment, or send a kind word—thank you. You are part of this. You’re helping build something that matters.
The Bayou Insider isn’t just a media outlet. It’s a heartbeat. A statement. A new way forward.
And I believe—deep in my bones—that we’re just getting started.
With gratitude,
Shawn Wilson
Founder, The Bayou Insider