Hello Dili Guide viewers and subscribers! My name is Joe Lapp. I created diliguide.com in 2023, during the five years that I lived in the capital, as a free resource for Timor-Leste’s international community. Why? Because I’m a writer and professional communicator, and I wanted to do something to assist expats living in or moving to the country, as well as provide much-needed online visibility for local businesses.
Dili Guide gets significant web traffic
I don’t live in Timor-Leste any more, but I have continued to maintain the website with personal time and funds. Dili Guide gets a couple hundred visitors and page views a month. That might seem low, but considering Dili is a very small market in the global travel and lifestyle sector, the numbers tell me that the site continues to be a valuable resource for this still-developing nation.
But guess what? The website is in need of informational updates — especially for businesses that have moved or closed recently (Dili is a dynamic place, right?) — and new content. I’m looking for people who live in Dili and are willing to help by sending me the on-the-ground info needed to keep this site online and accurate.
If I can’t offer accurate information, I’ll need to take the site down next year.
How you can help Dili Guide stay online
If you’re interested in contributing, here are the top 4 ways you can support.
1. Take a look at content on the site and send me updated, correct info where things have changed. I would love to hear from business owners who have changed locations or expanded services! If you want to be an individual contributor, I can help narrow your contribution down to a bite-size task, depending on your interests.
2. Write a blog post about an aspect of Dili life that you love. I can help you get started and edit the results so it fits well on the site.
3. Tell a friend about Dili Guide, especially anyone you know who is considering moving to or visiting Timor-Leste. Encourage them to check out the site (thus contributing to web traffic) then sign up for the mailing list to receive future blog posts and other site news.
4. It takes a bit of money and a bit of time to keep Dili Guide going. So if the website has helped you get the most out of your life in (or visit to) Timor-Leste, please consider supporting me with a one-time bump through my page on Buy Me A Coffee, a popular creator-support website.
If you want to contribute information updates or a blog post, or just want to know more about the site,
reach out to me at diliexpatguide@gmail.com.
Let’s keep Dili Guide useful and relevant
I know you haven’t heard from me in awhile. Life, right?! But I’m super glad that I have been able to keep Dili Guide online for this long. With your help, it can continue to be a relevant and accurate resource for Dili’s international community.
Best,
Joe Lapp
