I am about to have dinner so I'll give you some quick, random, "reactions". 1. What I like about the Buzz is that I ( like most other Buzzers) am a multi-faceted individual. Being a Mom does not define me. Cre8Buzz gives me a chance to interact in what so far has been a safe, encouraging environment. MySpace is a scary place and has a stigma of being a playground for predators. I am hesitant to use the name "Social Media" for Cre8Buzz. More like creative interaction....( I'll think of better terms later) 2. I am concerned with members posting work that is not their own. I totally understand what Squiffy is doing ( pretty much everything she posts is picked up from the web and I have no issue with her) but others are randomly posting work that is not their own and without artist credit. AND this "pirated" work is getting high rankings with credit given to the poster. I fear unchecked, you will have the same problem YouTube has. 3. Rankings - even though I am fairly high in both my catagories, I still am a fan. We need to work on this system. 4. Not sure how you are making your revenue stream. Is the plan to have it come from advertising? I need to read up on Web 2.0, I do not know much about it. ( As a business owner, I am not a fan of affiliate marketing...whole other issue(s).)
OK time for dinner....hope this helped. Feel free to respond & have me clarify these or other ????s
Bye!
Bad Momma
· 1 year ago
oops meant to say NOT a fan of rankings
Kadi Prescott
· 1 year ago
Here are my two cents: *Ranking system makes people feel like this is a popularity contest...kind of like High Scool was. People go around and make friends, just to up their rankings, not because they really want to network. The idea behind the rankings was legit...but to me, it seems like ti is panning out to be not so great. Maybe instead, people could be praised for their accomplishments on the buzz, like you do in the shout outs section, but more frequently, or numerous profiles/day.
*I am an individual with more than one identity. I'd like to be able to fall under more than one category.
turnip
· 1 year ago
What I like about it is someone can create a profile and put it in any category they like, regardless of their blog. Meeting other like minded people to share ideas in a smaller setting is another strong point. The absense of spam is a refreshing change as well.
There are many things Cre8Buzz doesn't do, that I achieve using other networks and means. I'm not sure if copying other networks would help or hurt your efforts. For example, I participate in another social network primarily for the traffic. I also like to run ads and make money from advertising. Introducing those elements here could create a huge spam problem.
Unless a small niche is populated, it can have a negative effect. If a new member checks the forum and sees the last post was created 6 months ago, they might give up then and there.
I hate to suggest ideas like "do this like myspace does it". As for original ideas, perhaps a mentoring program for new members, where an experience member can walk them through how to use the site? Also, maybe extend some Buzz credit for people visiting member's main blog?
I like the rankings, and feel it it is a good tool to shape user's habits. Maybe offer monthly prizes. Nothing big, but perhaps an ad or featured profile. Since it would reset each month, new members could compete.
woobie
· 1 year ago
I like the monthly prizes thing. it will keep me glued to my profile.
autismfamily
· 1 year ago
I am quite new here and not even sure how I find the site. I was surprised to see it has existed for a year and I never knew anything about it.
I do not like or really understand the rankings portion and think that is a hindrance for me coming to the site since it makes no sense to me.
I like reading blogs and the comments on pages and own pages and have to think of content to put up.
I find the search feature very confusing and hard to get to the forum and I have no way of finding threads where I posted and to see if any responses.
Last year at this time I found CafeMom and jumped into it for a few months and could not take all the music and cursing and cliques and not very active any more.
I think the ranking thing is not a good idea.
I cannot even figure out how to make this comment stick. Why do I have to register with someplace else to make a comment? This is quite frustrating.
Tara R.
· 1 year ago
This all sounds like a great start, but I have to admit all the business plan discussion goes right over my head.
With business and entrepreneurs you have here at the Buzz, you should have a wealth of resources to pull from and can meet and exceed these goals easily.
Just like your Buzz Board, perhaps a Buzziness Board would be helpful.
Piper
· 1 year ago
I have no idea how to make this happen, but measuring the QUALITY of content needs to improve. Just because something has a high rank doesn't really mean it's that great, or even original. And, honestly, I don't think that the majority of users really even rate content at all. Ranks are frustrating to the vast majority of users.
The whole concept of the Buzz is based on the rating/ranking, but it's still not working well, in my opinion. It does feel like a popularity contest, meaning if the person driving the profile is well liked and highly social they will no doubt have a higher rank.
How many amazing artists, published authors, photographers, etc. have profiles here but their authentic work isn't seen? Quite a lot, I'm afraid.
People need to feel compelled to visit the Buzz specifically for amazing/authentic content. That's what the Buzz needs to be known for.
Right now, I still think users come here because of the social aspect, and the friendly associations.
Content here isn't neccessarily authentic at all. What IS authentic is this community, and the people.
Sorry to be a buzzkill, but I think it's the truth.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Good point Piper, that begs the question, can a ranking work at all. If no, then where does that leave us?
Despite the frustrations, the ranking has shown promise in the content space. Post's like The Spoon Theory have risen to the top despite their author being relatively unknown. Maybe we take away the profile ranking and only have the content ranking.
If we determine the ranking of content does NOT bring value, we need to take a hard look at our plan. Being another social network won't carry the day. Too little, too late for that I'm afraid.
Tenakim
· 1 year ago
I agree with Piper, to an extent. The rating system does not truly gauge the 'better' content- and I'm not really sure how that could happen, maybe a neutral 'review' board of some sort?
I also agree that, although there is great content here, that it can get lost in the shuffle of 'popularity'. I got to be frank, when something is rated highly, I'm expecting a lot, and I'm not always impressed!
I think this stands apart because of the social and friendly community that it is.
Piper
· 1 year ago
I think that ranks SHOULD be removed from profiles. I think that would do well to remove the popularity contest feel. Ranks will work better all around. One of my favorite things about the Buzz is my ability to customize my profile, but it doesn't need to be ranked.
What if there was an option to mark whether content is original or a reproduction when it's uploaded? I have original content, but I also have reproduced content. What if there was a way to differentiate, and original content was given a greater value? Musicians, for instance, would probably appreciate not having to 'compete' with songs off of a popular album. That would be more authentic.
Just a thought.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Good ideas Piper. Very good ideas!
casadecruz
· 1 year ago
I am fairly new here, and agree about the rankings. It feels like high school cliquey-ness. I would also like to see an easier tweak for the content pages, more of a widget type thing. I know HTML, but not CSS, (yet) and am really frustrated that I added content to my page and lost the margins. That doesn't happen for me with HTML. I know that HTML is a dinosaur and on the way out, but if you made profiles easier to edit, it would attract more people. The people that I have invited here have said, "I can't figure that place out, it's really confusing." And in the beginning, I guess it is, just like anything.
T.
Mrs.4444
· 1 year ago
Cre8buzz is a Web 2.0 tool, and one way to get The Buzz to the "newer" masses would be to get it mentioned in a Web 2.0 book (I had to read one for a technology class and picked up three new tools as a result.) I have no idea how to do that, of course...
Piper, as usual, is brilliant. I think we could lose the rankings of people and just rate content, but ONLY rate original content. (I love the idea of a box to check for that.)
Turnip's idea of a mentoring thing is a good one; or maybe someone could lead new members to a forum (an active one, manned by a "Mentor of the Month" or something?)
I love Tara's idea for the "Buzziness" Board, though I'm guessing that might already be happening with the Buzz Board?
Squiffy is a GIRL?
sjoukes
· 1 year ago
no squiffy is a boy lol
swanlake101
· 1 year ago
adding menus like arts ,how tos, and whynot... like in deviantart.com,whynot.net,howstuffworks or ehow.com will add to the traffic to the main homepage...people loves art.. did you know that deviantart.c has 14,000000 members in just eight years..and every seconds 1 or 2 people are uploading their stuff..in art... also adding like storyofmylife.com menu or memorial,birth, personal biography will add value to the homepage... imagine how many people would use the home page if you add this valuable features to keep thier personal life stories.. also adding exchange of ideas in the menu homepage ...is the next big thing in the internet...all types and categories of ideas... exchange of ideas... imagine adding all this menus would add to the values of the homepage tremendously and powerfuly... someday this will be the next big things...
sjoukes
· 1 year ago
I think the rankings should be judged by content and not profile..the writing here is brilliant as I've said before..and peoples photography and crafts they show in their blogs are a pleasure to see..which will row me out of the rankings..cause my stuff is mostly from the net...but I'm not here for rankings..I'm here for the buzz..and if my rankings went down which they certainly would..then so be it..I'll still be buzzin
sew-and-so
· 1 year ago
Most of that went over my head. How can us less techy folks help? For some strange reason, I'm getting a larger Twitter following and I only post once a month. Should we use this avenue anyway?
colleen
· 1 year ago
I may be in the tiny tiny minority but I go blind searching for originality. It seems like people would rather reread sheep like reblatherings of the same old thing (which is really so comfortingly nothing) like how to make moneyonline boils down to working hard and promoting duh! Or those contentless shouts, hi thanks for the add nice blog, its seeming like a social necessity to do them, so maybe it could be automated.
QuirkeeJames
· 1 year ago
Regarding the comments about original content. This is in the cre8Buzz TOS (which I read a long time ago because I'm actually crazy enough to do it)
"You represent and warrant that: (i) you own the Content posted by you on or through the Cre8Buzz Services or otherwise have the right to grant the license set forth in this section, and (ii) the posting of your Content on or through the Cre8Buzz Services does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, contract rights or any other rights of any person. You agree to pay for all royalties, fees, and any other monies owing any person by reason of any Content posted by you to or through the Cre8Buzz Services."
Nothing against squiffy or any others that post unoriginal content, but if you don't have permission to post it then it should be taken off the site or not be allowed to be ranked. If this were just a friendly forum where people grab photos and stuff to discuss in a thread then it wouldn't be that big of a issue, but this is a "user generated content site" to showcase original content from the owners of the copyrights.
Posting other people's stuff (even if it does have a creative commons license or something) and gaining in the ranks is cheating the system. Anybody can do that.
Leo
· 1 year ago
I do support your efforts. Here are some thoughts:
1. Doesn't your concept No. 1 basically describe what ning is trying to do?
4. I could be wrong, but I believe that many who already belong to the Buzz community have some serious questions and doubts about the validity and value of the current buzz rank and ranking algorithm. Again, I could be wrong. I'd love to hear what others have to say on that topic.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Leo,
Yes, we see NIng in this area as a big competitor. We believe the centralization and structure of the buzz brings more value however ex: Ning could have 100 biking communities that never overlap or share info. Ning does a very poor job of what we call crossbuzz. The communities are disconnected and lack continuity. This can be exploited. good point
yes, we are starting to hear that. We have had some good suggestions on how to fix. We believe the buzzrank has lots of value. We may need to reconsider how we deploy it. Ex: no longer rating profiles, also differentiating between original and non-original content
Thanks Leo, great points.
Thoughts on where YOU think the buzz can go? Where we are positioned well?
kathleenmaher
· 1 year ago
Fiction blogs are about as tight a niche as you'll find, I suspect. The opportunity for making money, however, is probably nil. Fiction bloggers don't make money from their blog fiction. If they're a screen writer with a blog and a fan club their blog might bring in some money but I'm quite sure it's tiny compared to what those writers make when writing for other media. Blogs that review fiction, however, or offer publishing news, interviews, and literary opinions quite possibly can make money. Anyone who writes or wants to write will see them as a fast and, in my experience, reliable source of information. People who post their stories, novels, and novellas as I do only do it because they can't get through to off-line publishers, editors, and agents. In my case, I'd rather have a dozen regular or even semi-regular readers than none. The regular way takes years, connections, and luck combined with monumental talent and discipline. This works for me but I'm always scrounging for readers. Even those who follow one story will drift off when it ends, possibly never to return unless they're reminded of me.
Leo
· 1 year ago
If you can figure out a way to get people, on a wide scale, to be interested in and excited about your buzz rankings, that might be a really good place to start.
I think there is some power in the Buzz. But right now I feel like its biggest value is as a networking venue. There are some really talented, intelligent and thoughtful people here who have good ideas that they are happy to share. Quirkee James is one of those, and it sounds like he has given you some ideas for promoting the site and creating more excitement and buzz.
I, personally, would like to see the Buzz have a more concerted, organized approach for bringing people together to collaborate and help each other out on their individual projects. Yes, that can happen on an individual basis. But if that kind of activity is organized and promoted by the site itself, it's probably more likely to build a stronger sense of community and value for your members.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Leo,
Love the idea of more collaboration tools. There used to be monthly writing assignments, and photography assignments. These were started and managed by the members. But to have a set of collaboration tools is a GREAT idea.
Thanks Leo!
LaskiGal
· 1 year ago
I'm hoping I have SOMETHING to add as there is already a lot of great feedback.
I like the idea of a content driven site. Why? Because I think between the social networks, along with Plurk, Twitter, and the like, the Buzz gets lost. I know that is where a lot of formerly popular Buzzers went . . . the gratification for near instant feedback can be addicting. Like a chat room, but cooler . . .
Here, you say HI or start a discussion is rather labor intensive. That being said, I think actual "chat" or "buzz" sessions at specific times on special topics would work. Or, having a "buzz" area that allows people to connect on a more real time basis might work to meet those networking needs.
Otherwise, content is king. I truly believe . . . and this isn't the former English teacher speaking, either.
You have the Buzz Board, what about having smaller groups of committed members for EACH category help to build the content. Each category main page should focus on the content. A quick blurb and link to the TOP RATED content, featured member--and I mean an actual article written by or for this person and featured on the front page. Featured BLOG or BLOGS and actual ARTICLES written that showcase them. I think that initial category pages need to be overhauled (look and feel--something w/ a little more OOMPH than what we have now--a couple pics/cool headings/images--not too busy, just eye catching) and focused on the content of the members. VALUE ADDED CONTENT.
For instance, in the 30-something category (mine) I could write content that I believe would be of interest to 30-somethings, like changing careers, starting a family, trying desperately to save for retirement. BUT, I could also write content for the mom's section or even a short story for the fiction writers section. I know this is similar to how it works now, but the key is value-added and the fact that the CONTENT NOT the profile is featured and much of it will be featured, maybe rotated on a regular basis, on the category home page. Imagine members sending their blog/web site/Facebook/MySpace and so on visitors to one of the front pages of a major "creative networking" site! Much cooler than just a page with at bunch of random stuff on it. And what a great way to show what each category has to offer. It would be very cool to have some of the top ranked content featured on the main BUZZ homepage. Let the content, pics and art work included, speak for the members. . . that, to me, is a surefire way to become more about substance and less about fluff.
Oh, and maybe a "BuzzWorthy" widget that we could put on our page that includes all of the content we develop . . . more than just the BLOGS section, because I believe this will go above and beyond that.
The smaller category Buzz Board would be responsible for calling for topics and choosing the content to be featured on the category home page. If you just offer blurbs and links to the actual content, you can feature a lot of members' works. And, of course, the rankings would also help when choosing content.
I've gone on and on . . . but this was what I had envisioned when I first joined. I apologize for going on and on . . . but, once I get started, it is so hard to get me to stop. PLUS, I'm eager to see where cre8Buzz can go.
Antman
· 1 year ago
LaskiGal,
Ya suggestions are tight. We have gotten a lot of feedback about emphasizing the content. We agree we can focus more in this area and do more to get peoples stuff out there.
No apologies for going on and on, this is EXACTLY what we wanted.
Thanks
PEace!
Crunchy Carpets
· 1 year ago
M'kay..probably stupid with all of it...I get the feeling that the Buzz is trying to be two things..a community site AND a catalogue type site..and it doesn't QUITE gell.
The rankings need to be based on content...so it would be nice if I could import automatically posts from my blog into my Buzz Blog Profile stuff. Because my blogs are my home base and the Buzz is a place I like to visit...but feel a bit pressured by the ranking system as it stands.
Let people vote on if they liked a story...digg style.do the same on the AntHill..which I LOVE by the way.
I would like to see people visiting to see if there is new content that I have and not just the feeling that the visit generates rank points.
I would like to have more 'post' either original or from my blog on the profile for people to read and therefore have a reason to visit other than do I have more photos or whatever.
Mayasmom is a great community site for their use of importing content and so on..
The Buzz is awesome for trying to build community for ALL types of people and topics.
A HUGE job.
And to get newbies..we need maybe some sort of widget that doesn't just show my ranking but..shows topics being discussed on the Buzz RIGHT now sort of thing.. a reason for people to get in and try it all out.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Ah Crunchy, ya speak the word! I love the idea of working to get people's content moving around. Great idea.
Thanks girl, love the suggestions. This is a HUGE job ya right, but ya'll suggestions are makin' it a little easier.
Thanks Crunchy!
Peace!
jojobuzzer
· 1 year ago
I personally would like to see an outline and or graph, We have apparently alot of issues from mission statement to implementation and of course the utimate need to serve a larger audience.
Cyndy - Dysfunctional Mom
· 1 year ago
I think it'd be great to be able to send a message to all of your friends at once, rather than having to visit each individual profile every time. Sometimes we want to do that, for personal messages, but it would also be nice to say a group "hello" sometimes.
lollipop
· 1 year ago
Hi sorry I haven't been on that much lately, but having just moved and it took about 6 weeks to sort out my broadband again as I had to change my phone number. I will be back on board more often from now on and will try to get my friends on to the site as well (can't promise that they'll come on board but I'll try).
casas rurales en burgos
· 1 year ago
I´m with Kadi, I think the ranking system is a little childish.
All Comments
1. What I like about the Buzz is that I ( like most other Buzzers) am a multi-faceted individual. Being a Mom does not define me. Cre8Buzz gives me a chance to interact in what so far has been a safe, encouraging environment.
MySpace is a scary place and has a stigma of being a playground for predators. I am hesitant to use the name "Social Media" for Cre8Buzz. More like creative interaction....( I'll think of better terms later)
2. I am concerned with members posting work that is not their own.
I totally understand what Squiffy is doing ( pretty much everything she posts is picked up from the web and I have no issue with her) but others are randomly posting work that is not their own and without artist credit. AND this "pirated" work is getting high rankings with credit given to the poster. I fear unchecked, you will have the same problem YouTube has.
3. Rankings - even though I am fairly high in both my catagories, I still am a fan. We need to work on this system.
4. Not sure how you are making your revenue stream. Is the plan to have it come from advertising? I need to read up on Web 2.0, I do not know much about it. ( As a business owner, I am not a fan of affiliate marketing...whole other issue(s).)
OK time for dinner....hope this helped. Feel free to respond & have me clarify these or other ????s
Bye!
*Ranking system makes people feel like this is a popularity contest...kind of like High Scool was. People go around and make friends, just to up their rankings, not because they really want to network. The idea behind the rankings was legit...but to me, it seems like ti is panning out to be not so great. Maybe instead, people could be praised for their accomplishments on the buzz, like you do in the shout outs section, but more frequently, or numerous profiles/day.
*I am an individual with more than one identity. I'd like to be able to fall under more than one category.
There are many things Cre8Buzz doesn't do, that I achieve using other networks and means. I'm not sure if copying other networks would help or hurt your efforts. For example, I participate in another social network primarily for the traffic. I also like to run ads and make money from advertising. Introducing those elements here could create a huge spam problem.
Unless a small niche is populated, it can have a negative effect. If a new member checks the forum and sees the last post was created 6 months ago, they might give up then and there.
I hate to suggest ideas like "do this like myspace does it". As for original ideas, perhaps a mentoring program for new members, where an experience member can walk them through how to use the site? Also, maybe extend some Buzz credit for people visiting member's main blog?
I like the rankings, and feel it it is a good tool to shape user's habits. Maybe offer monthly prizes. Nothing big, but perhaps an ad or featured profile. Since it would reset each month, new members could compete.
I do not like or really understand the rankings portion and think that is a hindrance for me coming to the site since it makes no sense to me.
I like reading blogs and the comments on pages and own pages and have to think of content to put up.
I find the search feature very confusing and hard to get to the forum and I have no way of finding threads where I posted and to see if any responses.
Last year at this time I found CafeMom and jumped into it for a few months and could not take all the music and cursing and cliques and not very active any more.
I think the ranking thing is not a good idea.
I cannot even figure out how to make this comment stick. Why do I have to register with someplace else to make a comment? This is quite frustrating.
With business and entrepreneurs you have here at the Buzz, you should have a wealth of resources to pull from and can meet and exceed these goals easily.
Just like your Buzz Board, perhaps a Buzziness Board would be helpful.
The whole concept of the Buzz is based on the rating/ranking, but it's still not working well, in my opinion. It does feel like a popularity contest, meaning if the person driving the profile is well liked and highly social they will no doubt have a higher rank.
How many amazing artists, published authors, photographers, etc. have profiles here but their authentic work isn't seen? Quite a lot, I'm afraid.
People need to feel compelled to visit the Buzz specifically for amazing/authentic content. That's what the Buzz needs to be known for.
Right now, I still think users come here because of the social aspect, and the friendly associations.
Content here isn't neccessarily authentic at all. What IS authentic is this community, and the people.
Sorry to be a buzzkill, but I think it's the truth.
If no, then where does that leave us?
Despite the frustrations, the ranking has shown promise in the
content space. Post's like The Spoon Theory have risen to the top
despite their author being relatively unknown. Maybe we take away
the profile ranking and only have the content ranking.
If we determine the ranking of content does NOT bring value, we need
to take a hard look at our plan. Being another social network won't
carry the day. Too little, too late for that I'm afraid.
I also agree that, although there is great content here, that it can get lost in the shuffle of 'popularity'. I got to be frank, when something is rated highly, I'm expecting a lot, and I'm not always impressed!
I think this stands apart because of the social and friendly community that it is.
What if there was an option to mark whether content is original or a reproduction when it's uploaded? I have original content, but I also have reproduced content. What if there was a way to differentiate, and original content was given a greater value? Musicians, for instance, would probably appreciate not having to 'compete' with songs off of a popular album. That would be more authentic.
Just a thought.
T.
Piper, as usual, is brilliant. I think we could lose the rankings of people and just rate content, but ONLY rate original content. (I love the idea of a box to check for that.)
Turnip's idea of a mentoring thing is a good one; or maybe someone could lead new members to a forum (an active one, manned by a "Mentor of the Month" or something?)
I love Tara's idea for the "Buzziness" Board, though I'm guessing that might already be happening with the Buzz Board?
Squiffy is a GIRL?
like in deviantart.com,whynot.net,howstuffworks or ehow.com
will add to the traffic to the main homepage...people loves art..
did you know that deviantart.c has 14,000000 members in just eight years..and every seconds 1 or 2 people are uploading their stuff..in art...
also adding like storyofmylife.com menu or memorial,birth, personal biography will add value to the homepage...
imagine how many people would use the home page if you add this valuable features to keep thier personal life stories..
also adding exchange of ideas in the menu homepage ...is the next big thing in the internet...all types and categories of ideas... exchange of ideas...
imagine adding all this menus would add to the values of the homepage tremendously and powerfuly...
someday this will be the next big things...
"You represent and warrant that: (i) you own the Content posted by you on or through the Cre8Buzz Services or otherwise have the right to grant the license set forth in this section, and (ii) the posting of your Content on or through the Cre8Buzz Services does not violate the privacy rights, publicity rights, copyrights, contract rights or any other rights of any person. You agree to pay for all royalties, fees, and any other monies owing any person by reason of any Content posted by you to or through the Cre8Buzz Services."
Nothing against squiffy or any others that post unoriginal content, but if you don't have permission to post it then it should be taken off the site or not be allowed to be ranked. If this were just a friendly forum where people grab photos and stuff to discuss in a thread then it wouldn't be that big of a issue, but this is a "user generated content site" to showcase original content from the owners of the copyrights.
Posting other people's stuff (even if it does have a creative commons license or something) and gaining in the ranks is cheating the system. Anybody can do that.
1. Doesn't your concept No. 1 basically describe what ning is trying to do?
4. I could be wrong, but I believe that many who already belong to the Buzz community have some serious questions and doubts about the validity and value of the current buzz rank and ranking algorithm. Again, I could be wrong. I'd love to hear what others have to say on that topic.
Yes, we see NIng in this area as a big competitor. We believe the
centralization and structure of the buzz brings more value however
ex: Ning could have 100 biking communities that never overlap or
share info. Ning does a very poor job of what we call crossbuzz.
The communities are disconnected and lack continuity. This can be
exploited. good point
yes, we are starting to hear that. We have had some good suggestions
on how to fix. We believe the buzzrank has lots of value. We may
need to reconsider how we deploy it. Ex: no longer rating profiles,
also differentiating between original and non-original content
Thanks Leo, great points.
Thoughts on where YOU think the buzz can go? Where we are
positioned well?
Blogs that review fiction, however, or offer publishing news, interviews, and literary opinions quite possibly can make money. Anyone who writes or wants to write will see them as a fast and, in my experience, reliable source of information.
People who post their stories, novels, and novellas as I do only do it because they can't get through to off-line publishers, editors, and agents. In my case, I'd rather have a dozen regular or even semi-regular readers than none. The regular way takes years, connections, and luck combined with monumental talent and discipline. This works for me but I'm always scrounging for readers. Even those who follow one story will drift off when it ends, possibly never to return unless they're reminded of me.
I think there is some power in the Buzz. But right now I feel like its biggest value is as a networking venue. There are some really talented, intelligent and thoughtful people here who have good ideas that they are happy to share. Quirkee James is one of those, and it sounds like he has given you some ideas for promoting the site and creating more excitement and buzz.
I, personally, would like to see the Buzz have a more concerted, organized approach for bringing people together to collaborate and help each other out on their individual projects. Yes, that can happen on an individual basis. But if that kind of activity is organized and promoted by the site itself, it's probably more likely to build a stronger sense of community and value for your members.
Love the idea of more collaboration tools. There used to be monthly
writing assignments, and photography assignments. These were started
and managed by the members. But to have a set of collaboration tools
is a GREAT idea.
Thanks Leo!
I like the idea of a content driven site. Why? Because I think between the social networks, along with Plurk, Twitter, and the like, the Buzz gets lost. I know that is where a lot of formerly popular Buzzers went . . . the gratification for near instant feedback can be addicting. Like a chat room, but cooler . . .
Here, you say HI or start a discussion is rather labor intensive. That being said, I think actual "chat" or "buzz" sessions at specific times on special topics would work. Or, having a "buzz" area that allows people to connect on a more real time basis might work to meet those networking needs.
Otherwise, content is king. I truly believe . . . and this isn't the former English teacher speaking, either.
You have the Buzz Board, what about having smaller groups of committed members for EACH category help to build the content. Each category main page should focus on the content. A quick blurb and link to the TOP RATED content, featured member--and I mean an actual article written by or for this person and featured on the front page. Featured BLOG or BLOGS and actual ARTICLES written that showcase them. I think that initial category pages need to be overhauled (look and feel--something w/ a little more OOMPH than what we have now--a couple pics/cool headings/images--not too busy, just eye catching) and focused on the content of the members. VALUE ADDED CONTENT.
For instance, in the 30-something category (mine) I could write content that I believe would be of interest to 30-somethings, like changing careers, starting a family, trying desperately to save for retirement. BUT, I could also write content for the mom's section or even a short story for the fiction writers section. I know this is similar to how it works now, but the key is value-added and the fact that the CONTENT NOT the profile is featured and much of it will be featured, maybe rotated on a regular basis, on the category home page. Imagine members sending their blog/web site/Facebook/MySpace and so on visitors to one of the front pages of a major "creative networking" site! Much cooler than just a page with at bunch of random stuff on it. And what a great way to show what each category has to offer. It would be very cool to have some of the top ranked content featured on the main BUZZ homepage. Let the content, pics and art work included, speak for the members. . . that, to me, is a surefire way to become more about substance and less about fluff.
Oh, and maybe a "BuzzWorthy" widget that we could put on our page that includes all of the content we develop . . . more than just the BLOGS section, because I believe this will go above and beyond that.
The smaller category Buzz Board would be responsible for calling for topics and choosing the content to be featured on the category home page. If you just offer blurbs and links to the actual content, you can feature a lot of members' works. And, of course, the rankings would also help when choosing content.
I've gone on and on . . . but this was what I had envisioned when I first joined. I apologize for going on and on . . . but, once I get started, it is so hard to get me to stop. PLUS, I'm eager to see where cre8Buzz can go.
Ya suggestions are tight. We have gotten a lot of feedback about
emphasizing the content. We agree we can focus more in this area and
do more to get peoples stuff out there.
No apologies for going on and on, this is EXACTLY what we wanted.
Thanks
PEace!
The rankings need to be based on content...so it would be nice if I could import automatically posts from my blog into my Buzz Blog Profile stuff. Because my blogs are my home base and the Buzz is a place I like to visit...but feel a bit pressured by the ranking system as it stands.
Let people vote on if they liked a story...digg style.do the same on the AntHill..which I LOVE by the way.
I would like to see people visiting to see if there is new content that I have and not just the feeling that the visit generates rank points.
I would like to have more 'post' either original or from my blog on the profile for people to read and therefore have a reason to visit other than do I have more photos or whatever.
Mayasmom is a great community site for their use of importing content and so on..
The Buzz is awesome for trying to build community for ALL types of people and topics.
A HUGE job.
And to get newbies..we need maybe some sort of widget that doesn't just show my ranking but..shows topics being discussed on the Buzz RIGHT now sort of thing.. a reason for people to get in and try it all out.
people's content moving around. Great idea.
Thanks girl, love the suggestions. This is a HUGE job ya right, but
ya'll suggestions are makin' it a little easier.
Thanks Crunchy!
Peace!