Yes, it is. Or more importantly, where should we focus. Is there a place for cre8Buzz to play? Where does our opportunity lie?
What do you think Quirkee?
QuirkeeJames
· 1 year ago
I think #4 in the first section of his thoughts is a great place to start. Giving something back to the people that make the community thrive. Contests for best content in various categories, promotion to literary agents, publishers, and magazines, etc.
If people can actually get something out of sharing good original content on cre8Buzz besides a "Neat. I just got the #1 ranking for best video this week," then they are more likely to stick around. I know that sounds kind of selfish in a way but with so many places for people to post their stuff these days you have to compete for their attention. We give away prizes from a few record labels and others all the time on Quirkee to give something back to our loyal readers. If you can get in touch with some publishing houses or magazine editors and see if they are interested in promoting a book giveaway contest or a free magazine subscription with cre8Buzz then that would take care of the cost of the prizes. The possibilities are endless, actually, because of the broad spectrum of members here. Gift cards from iTunes, restaurants, Visa, comedy clubs, book stores, sporting goods stores, Babies R Us, etc.
#3 in the second section of his thoughts about stickiness is extremely important for a site like cre8Buzz that thrives on having it's members spend more time there. At Quirkee.com we have a chat feature and a well functioning forum but they are not utilized very often. This is not as big of a deal for us since we are a magazine. If our members decide to use the social aspect of the site then the tools are there for them to do so. As our readership continues to grow this is something that we will probably focus on more but for now our focus is on providing original content (not syndicated articles) that you can't find anywhere else. Having that is key to bringing back readers every week.
I'm not a Ruby on Rails developer but I know on Joomla! I can set up a chat box and a forum in minutes and they are free. That would be a cheap and easy place to start the stickiness if it's possible to do so with Ruby.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Great suggestions Quirkee, thanks. We agree with you on much of this.
Stay tuned, may take you up on the chat. We are currently looking to fix the forums, that needs some real help.
kathleenmaher
· 1 year ago
Personally, I love cre8buzz. Of course, I don't spend as much time here as I'd like. And sometimes I feel as if I should be giving more content, even if the content I have to offer isn't gonna draw a crowd. I've always liked the way you operate, and would be kinda surprised if the changes you made put me out. I'm totally behind ya, Antman. Know that. If I don't show up for prizes and videos because I don't work that way, it doesn't mean I'm unfaithful.
Antman
· 1 year ago
Thanks Kathleen,
Thanks for being so supportive, ya the bomb!
Peace!
Keenan
· 1 year ago
With less than 20% of internet users currently involved in some sort of Web 2.0, I think new users to social networking is a clear opporunity.
Your assesment of #3:
"3. A whole new user is coming….really? I agree that the Buzz is filled with friendly people, and I’ve made some amazing connections here. I believe that others could do the same too, but…Technorati says that there are 15 - 20 million bloggers out there, yet in reality, there only a couple hundred thousand worldwide that are really active. I’m not sure exactly how believable this point will be to anyone who is already invested in Web 2.0 companies, and I’m also not so sure that you want the Buzz to be known as the training ground for newbies (it implies that once they figure things out that they will ditch the community and move on to more sophisticated things)."
The point on #3 is that we've just scratched the surface and everyday new people will be joining Web 2.0, (social networks and start blogging, twitter etc) I think the ability to capture these newbies is a real opportunity. It's a huge number and it is green field. Posts like this one from ourcrookedtree, http://tinyurl.com/5coatq provides a single piece of data suggesting this is a valid assumption.
Her quote:
"I started my journey slowly. I joined what I think is the best social network ever and have met some of the most talented and supportive group of mature, professional people out there. Prior to joining Cre8Buzz I though social networks were for teenagers and elderly pedophiles. I was mistaken."
I am convinced that millions of people will be jumping into Web 2.0 and that we've just scratched the surface. Who gets them? cre8Buzz, if we do it right.
What do you think. Is targeting and getting the NEW people to Web 2.0 a real opportunity?
jnbammer
· 1 year ago
I think you're going to have to find that hook to draw people in and keep them coming back. One thing that comes to mind would be partnering with another Web 2.0 company who is in the process of creating a universal profile that can be carried, transported or plugged into any social networking site for users. If you were be the place where new users come first to complete a profile, then there may be a reason for them to continue coming back and remaining loyal, even if they transport the profile to other social networks.
I think you have to find something that experienced users will think is cool yet new users find to be easy, intuitive and helpful. If the Buzz becomes the hub for many other types of online activities for users, then it will give them reasons to continue coming back to the site as well.
Just my thoughts.
Keenan
· 1 year ago
You are ABSOLUTELY correct, cre8Buzz will definitely have to find a hook or draw.
We believe the next generation of users will be drawn into Web 2.0 through a vertical passion or affiliation. Ex: Many if not most of Active Rain users are first time Social Network users drawn in through their affiliation with Real Estate. We believe this trend can and will continue. By targeting the 1000's of off-line communities, like Real Estate, cre8Buzz can be a vertical destination for people already engaged in offline communities. Communities, such as Adoption, illness related causes (MS. Breast Cancer Society, Autism), Brewers, MLM, Social Causes etc. Anything that has a convention or an Expo, is a offline community that can be brought online. Partnering with the official organizations, or groups can provide excellent conversion opportunities to get people who never considered or saw VALUE in joining a social media or network site.
Getting the next generation of users is a real opportunity, The strategy is determining how cre8Buzz will get them and what value cre8Buzz will need to provide.
All Comments
The question now is, where to start?
place for cre8Buzz to play? Where does our opportunity lie?
What do you think Quirkee?
If people can actually get something out of sharing good original content on cre8Buzz besides a "Neat. I just got the #1 ranking for best video this week," then they are more likely to stick around. I know that sounds kind of selfish in a way but with so many places for people to post their stuff these days you have to compete for their attention. We give away prizes from a few record labels and others all the time on Quirkee to give something back to our loyal readers. If you can get in touch with some publishing houses or magazine editors and see if they are interested in promoting a book giveaway contest or a free magazine subscription with cre8Buzz then that would take care of the cost of the prizes. The possibilities are endless, actually, because of the broad spectrum of members here. Gift cards from iTunes, restaurants, Visa, comedy clubs, book stores, sporting goods stores, Babies R Us, etc.
#3 in the second section of his thoughts about stickiness is extremely important for a site like cre8Buzz that thrives on having it's members spend more time there. At Quirkee.com we have a chat feature and a well functioning forum but they are not utilized very often. This is not as big of a deal for us since we are a magazine. If our members decide to use the social aspect of the site then the tools are there for them to do so. As our readership continues to grow this is something that we will probably focus on more but for now our focus is on providing original content (not syndicated articles) that you can't find anywhere else. Having that is key to bringing back readers every week.
I'm not a Ruby on Rails developer but I know on Joomla! I can set up a chat box and a forum in minutes and they are free. That would be a cheap and easy place to start the stickiness if it's possible to do so with Ruby.
Stay tuned, may take you up on the chat. We are currently looking to
fix the forums, that needs some real help.
I'm totally behind ya, Antman. Know that.
If I don't show up for prizes and videos because I don't work that way, it doesn't mean I'm unfaithful.
Thanks for being so supportive, ya the bomb!
Peace!
Your assesment of #3:
"3. A whole new user is coming….really? I agree that the Buzz is filled with friendly people, and I’ve made some amazing connections here. I believe that others could do the same too, but…Technorati says that there are 15 - 20 million bloggers out there, yet in reality, there only a couple hundred thousand worldwide that are really active. I’m not sure exactly how believable this point will be to anyone who is already invested in Web 2.0 companies, and I’m also not so sure that you want the Buzz to be known as the training ground for newbies (it implies that once they figure things out that they will ditch the community and move on to more sophisticated things)."
The point on #3 is that we've just scratched the surface and everyday new people will be joining Web 2.0, (social networks and start blogging, twitter etc) I think the ability to capture these newbies is a real opportunity. It's a huge number and it is green field. Posts like this one from ourcrookedtree, http://tinyurl.com/5coatq provides a single piece of data suggesting this is a valid assumption.
Her quote:
"I started my journey slowly. I joined what I think is the best social network ever and have met some of the most talented and supportive group of mature, professional people out there. Prior to joining Cre8Buzz I though social networks were for teenagers and elderly pedophiles. I was mistaken."
I am convinced that millions of people will be jumping into Web 2.0 and that we've just scratched the surface. Who gets them? cre8Buzz, if we do it right.
What do you think. Is targeting and getting the NEW people to Web 2.0 a real opportunity?
I think you have to find something that experienced users will think is cool yet new users find to be easy, intuitive and helpful. If the Buzz becomes the hub for many other types of online activities for users, then it will give them reasons to continue coming back to the site as well.
Just my thoughts.
We believe the next generation of users will be drawn into Web 2.0 through a vertical passion or affiliation. Ex: Many if not most of Active Rain users are first time Social Network users drawn in through their affiliation with Real Estate. We believe this trend can and will continue. By targeting the 1000's of off-line communities, like Real Estate, cre8Buzz can be a vertical destination for people already engaged in offline communities. Communities, such as Adoption, illness related causes (MS. Breast Cancer Society, Autism), Brewers, MLM, Social Causes etc. Anything that has a convention or an Expo, is a offline community that can be brought online. Partnering with the official organizations, or groups can provide excellent conversion opportunities to get people who never considered or saw VALUE in joining a social media or network site.
Getting the next generation of users is a real opportunity, The strategy is determining how cre8Buzz will get them and what value cre8Buzz will need to provide.