By Paula Pyzik Scott

It’s my fourth anniversary as editor-owner of Bluffton Icon and Ada Icon. I chuckle to recall that I set out with a plan to learn news in year one and advertising in year two. Writing a news story has certainly come easier than tackling QuickBooks Online.

I’m going to begin with a huge thank you to Icon readers. In the past 12 months, there have been 24K returning users to the Bluffton Icon home page with over 4K active users, according to Google Analytics. There have been 53K views of Bluffton Icon obituaries and 24K views of the Classified Ads page. 

Thank you to everyone who has stopped me on the street, commented on a Facebook post or written to provide feedback. I don’t have an office where people can drop by, so I really appreciate this engagement. Please email [email protected] or call 567-400-4266 to contact me.

Icon advertisers get an equally heart-felt thank you, because they’re the reason the Icons have flourished–Bluffton since 2009 and Ada since 2012. Truth be told, Bluffton businesses dominate the advertiser rolls. I’d like Ada businesses to take notice: the roads go both ways!

Because the Icons are free with no log-in or story limits, there are more ads on the Icons than on other local news websites. Most importantly, there are only local advertisers on the Icons. I do turn away advertisers who aren’t in our geographic focus. And you won’t find ads for American Express or GoDaddy–or the last brand of shoes you bought. Your click history doesn’t impact what you see on the Icons.

NEW ON THE ICONS
In the past year, the Icons have seen two major initiatives. The websites have a new, custom two-column format and a new 1-week announcement (flyer) ad option. I’m proud to say that the Icons don’t look or function as a copycat of any other website.

The Icons don’t yet have a version for mobile devices, but here’s a tip: hold your phone in “landscape” or wide orientation for best viewing.

Both Icons also now have a monthly Highlights article with a limited-release print document. I select some 30-40 pages of articles that are of lasting interest to the communities of Ada and Bluffton. Complimentary copies of the print version are being distributed to the public and university libraries, senior/community centers and town halls. 

Daily readers of the Icons can catch up with new content in just a few minutes, but what about the occasional reader? A conversation with a Bluffton resident made me realize that the Icons needed more ways to approach its content.

Would you benefit from a daily reminder to read the Icon? You can subscribe to our email updates for Bluffton and email updates for Ada.

FYI, In August 2025, Bluffton posted 134 news items and Ada posted 110. 

Whether Icon Highlights will ever be a newsstand or home delivery product? I’m exploring that option and reader interest levels.

Have other ideas for the Icons? Keep in touch!