From Doubt to Data: What a Digital Audit Taught Me About Growth

While celebrating nearly three years at WSMV, I’ve been reflecting on something we all experience but rarely acknowledge: self-doubt. When’s the last time you questioned yourself? Last month? Last week? Ten minutes ago?

Now ask yourself this: When’s the last time you took stock of everything you’ve actually accomplished?

We rarely give ourselves permission to pause and reflect—but when we do, the results can be astonishing.

In January 2023, just a few days after stepping into a dual role as Anchor and Director of Digital Content at WSMV4, we got to work. At the time, we had a small but mighty digital team of five journalists, brimming with talent, experience, and hustle. But the numbers told a different story. They didn’t match the energy, potential, or passion I saw in the newsroom every day.

Why? It wasn’t a talent problem. It was a strategy gap.

We didn’t need to work harder—we needed a roadmap. So we built one together.

And then we committed to it.

What happened next?

🚀 A digital transformation that exceeded even our own expectations:

• 📈 +1,800% increase in pageviews across all digital platforms

• 🎥 +3,000% increase in video plays, totaling 1.09 BILLION views

• 🌐 82M+ web pageviews

• 📱 73M+ screen views on the news app

• 📺 478% YOY growth in livestream plays

• 📸 413% increase in Instagram followers in less than two years

  
  

We didn’t just set goals—we built systems to reach them.

We focused on intentional content frameworks, daily optimization, meaningful engagement, and a streaming strategy that elevated our reach across every platform. We empowered every team member to contribute with clarity and confidence—and the numbers prove just how powerful that can be.

If you're doubting yourself today, try something different: audit your achievements.

Write them down. Pull the data. Reflect without judgment.

Because this journey has taught me something simple but transformational: Self-doubt can’t survive an honest look at your own growth.

Here’s to the power of planning, the impact of follow-through, and the magic that happens when you believe in the people behind the numbers.