cre8Buzz Tries Again!
I’m sure many of ya have noticed the buzz has been awfully quiet lately. We haven’t had an update since the photo albums, the blog has been quiet, no new pictures or slammin’ content on the Antman’s profile, etc. The reason; we have hit a wall. Havin’ been at this for over 18 months, we are struggling. Like we said before, Start Ups Are Hard!
When ya start something new it is exciting, full of energy, and captivating! Building something new is the bomb. However, once ya get into it, things can start to change, the energy dies, the failures begin to mount, yes there are failures, things take longer than expected and they never turnout like they are supposed to. This all starts to take its toll and ya hit a wall.
cre8Buzz has hit it’s wall. The energy seems to have waned, we have lost momentum, defeats have gotten the best of us and we are at a crossroads.
We started cre8Buzz to give the little guy a chance to be seen. We wanted to extend the long-tail for everyone, regardless of interest, or talent. That passion and commitment has not gone away. Our goal of allowing people to be seen, heard and found, while making the best user-generated content on the web easy to find is as fresh as ever. Now, we need to leverage our vision to re-energize us and get over the wall.
To get over the wall we need to get back to basics. We need to build a plan, lay out our strategy, identify and capitalize on opportunity, and most important, execute, execute execute. The wall is BIG. We are out of money. We no longer have a full time developer. Original founders have left. New partners have come in. Some of our most active buzzers are gone. We have more competition. The site needs mad updates and “slammin” new features. We need to turn it up. It’s gonna be hard.
Despite how hard it’s gonna be, it’s gonna be tight for real. cre8Buzz is the most mature, content rich, active site on the net. Our members are supportive, intelligent, creative, and talented. cre8Buzz content is engaging, funny, and informative. It is for our users and because of our vision we’re gonna get over this wall. We’re gonna build a plan. We’re gonna execute on a strategy, and we’re gonna create opportunity.
Our first commitment in our journey back, is we’re opening the kimono. We’re gonna blog daily. We’re gonna share our plan, and strategy. You will see it all. We’ll tell you what we are planning before we do it. We’ll share what happens once we do do it. You’ll have a front row seat. You will be exposed to it all. We won’t hold back; the ups the downs, the disagreements, and the fights, the frustrations and the jubilation, you will see it all. Beyond that, we want YOUR thoughts. Tell us what you think of our plan. School us on what you think we should do. Tell us if you disagree with our direction. Share ya knowledge, thoughts and opinions. We’re listening. We’re gonna lay it out there for you to pick up.
We’ll post everyday. We’re gonna add Disqus to improve the dialog We’ve created a new category, “cre8Buzz Re-Do”, so ya can stay up to date.
We’re ready to blow it up in here. Ya’ll have more than a front row seat. You’re gonna be in the game.
We can’t tell ya where we’ll end up, but we will know how we got there.
Wall, what wall?
Peace!
Comments
I really think threaded conversations has a value hop skip and jumping does not. You can drop in any time and see what’s going on. btw I pushed buzz on blog talk radio. Is there a way in on that scene?
Comment from jojo on July 7, 2008, 9:55 am
I feel your pain Antman and don’t know if challenges ever stop. It is good to see that there is a plan for the Buzz to move forward after what seems to be a lot of changes but I got faith in Buzz!!
Comment from Toby on July 7, 2008, 10:00 am
I am glad to see you’re not giving up b/c cre8buzz is my favorite network of any out there. I look forward to the front row seat on all the new content and discussions!
Comment from wornoutwoman on July 7, 2008, 10:05 am
Piper and I were just talking about the Buzz’s journey while she was here this weekend for a visit. You guys are right on track and developing like any business does. “When” you have time you should read or download the E-myth. It is a great illustration of what you are going through and very validating and motivating. You have the right idea with communication; make sure the users know what is up so they don’t get frustrated. Hubs and I owned and operated an internet based real estate marketing company for almost ten years; I am all too familiar with the turnover of developers and lack of capital. Revisit your vision to gain a little motivation and keep up the great work. It is hard but will be so worth it in the end!
Comment from ourcrookedtree on July 7, 2008, 10:05 am
Very exciting indeed! I was scared for a minute there that it was crumbling at my feet! Whew. I can’t tell you how much I love Cre8buzz. I’d love to see Buzz have music play list option! One with a volume you can set prior to launching it like myflashfetish. I’ve talked with PG about it before and he mentioned some setbacks that might have held you back from doing it. I know you’re thinking big and this is a little thing, but I’d love to see more options in the blog area as well. More customizing ability. That’s all I can think of at the moment. Thanks for EVERYTHING!
Comment from Birdie on July 7, 2008, 10:08 am
Cre8Buzz is a great concept, phenomenal resource and my favorite option of all the communities out there. I’ll continue to pass the word.
And if I get any incredible marketing inspirations worthy of your in-box, I’ll send them…
Comment from heather dugan on July 7, 2008, 10:30 am
Antman, I love what you are doing with this. I’ll be writing an article about it on Profy.
Leslie
bgwewriter
Comment from Leslie Poston on July 7, 2008, 11:00 am
I’d throw in 10-20 dollars to keep this site afloat any one else and hey, I’m poor!
Comment from jojo on July 7, 2008, 11:02 am
I like that you are staying transparent, and not making the same mistakes that twitter has made with their growing pains. They have lost a lot of good users and is is simply because they didn’t keep their base informed.
Cr8Buzz is a great community, and I want to see it stay that way.
T.
Comment from casdecruz on July 7, 2008, 11:54 am
I agree with JoJo that Blog Talk Radio could be a way to promote. Get some of the popular shows to interview Antman about the Buzz. Focus on how it is different/better than other social networks and how people can get started.
Other thoughts, I would like to see the forums organized differently: sorted by date post or last reply posted. Also, it would be nice if the link for forums was in more places. A chat room would be cool too but I know they can be a pain.
What I like:
How easy it is to customize my profile. Posting pictures and videos is a breeze. Meeting such awesome people!
Comment from Sexy Housewife on July 7, 2008, 11:57 am
I’m all for opening the kimono! Air it out in there too, while you’re at it.
And, ditto to Carie. You are doing GREAT!! Really, cre8buzz is brilliant, and has attracted the best and brightest for a reason. Attitude is 90%, and you’ve got it.
Steady on!
Comment from Piper of Love on July 7, 2008, 11:57 am
I’m with Birdie - thinking for a moment that the Buzz was going to go away….NOOOOOOO!!
I’m glad you’re going to start blogging every day - and letting us in on what’s going on - there is nothing worse than wondering….and who knows what cool ideas we all can bring to the table - once the table is open and here for us to put things on it!
I love the Buzz, and will do whatever I can to make it better!
Comment from trysh on July 7, 2008, 12:18 pm
We’ve gotta do what needs to be done to keep the Anthill swarmin’. I love the idea of a daily blog and have enjoyed being able to contribute to the Ant Hill when I can.
Let us know what we can do to help you, since you’ve been helping us for so long.
Comment from Tara R. on July 7, 2008, 12:25 pm
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Buzz. Happy you are not just sitting back and gettin lazy, Antman 
I’ll support any new ideas that come from you. Is there a “Donate” button somewhere?
Comment from Mrs.4444 on July 7, 2008, 1:42 pm
I am fairly new to the whole blogging world and feel very lucky to have found the buzz. You have the best customization and personalization I have seen and an incredibly intelligent group of bloggers. It sounds like you are going through the same situation we are going through with our business. If everyone knew how good the buzz was it would be the most popular blogging community out there. The whole reason I started blogging was purely business. (I know you couldn’t tell by looking at my buzz!) We developed a health insurance resource website that is second to none yet we don’t have nearly enough traffic. We are looking for affiliate linking partners promoting our health insurance quoting and enrolling engine which could be a revenue stream for the buzz. Hey, we plan on spending some money, why not spend it here?
Comment from myHSAguy on July 7, 2008, 2:40 pm
I hope you sort it out for your sakes and ours..cre8buzz is a great social site..the peeps are… as you say so talented and genuinely nice decent hard working friendly folks..I hope for everyones sake that cre8buzz can keep going..it wont be for lack of effort or trying
Comment from sjoukes on July 7, 2008, 2:46 pm
Geez Antman,
I feel your pain. Tell us what we can do, but please do not go away. I like it here. The Buzz-luv is awesome. We are behind you 100%!
sending buzzluv your way …
Comment from BugLady58 on July 7, 2008, 3:48 pm
I feel guilty. I’ve been so busy, I’ve let the hill slip. It’s summer. Too much going on. I think everything will pick up after the kids are all in school and everybody’s back from vacation. I wish more would join the challenges and assignments…
I’ll be back when I get out from under this tremendous work load.
Comment from Donna on July 7, 2008, 4:19 pm
I think Cre8Buzz has had tremendous growth in a short time. I’ve noticed less activity lately but chalk that up to being summertime. I think you are experiencing a temporary plateau.
It is important to keep gaining new members, as some older ones will start dropping off. Perhaps a recruiting contest?
Also perhaps a Scavenger Hunt of sorts to get Buzzers to pay more attention to other members profiles.
Comment from Bad Momma on July 7, 2008, 4:55 pm
This is the only social network I use and I think you’ve done a great job of what you set out to do- a place for the little people to be heard- I will be eagerly waiting to hear what’s next!
Comment from tenakim on July 7, 2008, 5:52 pm
the beauty of buzz, is its relaxed form, other sites are pressured for points, scores, views etc etc there is no pressure here, which is good, just got to get out there and get more members, tell the world to join !
Comment from gareth on July 7, 2008, 11:23 pm
I’ve made a ton of great relationships here - just let us know what you need and we’ll step up!
Comment from Jeremy (Discovering Dad) on July 8, 2008, 12:26 am
Antman,
Thank you for your candour and forthwrightness, you and Buzz have, and always will be top of my list for honesty and openness.
Every project, however big, faces challenges along the way and you guys will overcome these and come out stronger the other side.
squiffs
Comment from Squiffy2 on July 8, 2008, 1:39 am
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: The community is what sets cre8Buzz! apart from the rest. The people here are the best of the best!
The idea of getting cre8Buzz! over the wall *as a community effort* is brilliant! It can’t possibly fail!
I say, let’s knock that wall DOWN, Buzzers!!
Comment from Real World Mom on July 8, 2008, 9:17 am
I just stumbled upon skype cast. I just have usa and canada, but some of the more knowledgeable users could set up a debate forum and free advertising?
Comment from jojo on July 8, 2008, 12:20 pm
[...] and BuzzBoard members are responding with replies on their blogs, their Twitter accounts and on the Cre8buzz corporate [...]
Pingback from Cre8Buzz Reaches Out To Users During Revamp - Profy.Com on July 8, 2008, 12:53 pm
Hi Antman. I just got back from afew days away and found this waiting for me. Not been on cre8buzz long, and got here thanks to Squiffy promoting you everywhere he goes. I love it for its friendliness and its unique nature. You may have got some things wrong but you sure got a lot of things right, including being upfront and honest wilt everyone. Thanks for sharing the hopes dreams, problems and disappointments with us. After all that’s part of what makes cre8buzz the place it is. I’m still learning how to customise my page,so I’m not much use in the technical sense, but you can be sure that if there’s any help I can give, I’ll give it.
Oh and yes, where is the donate button?
Comment from Nodragon on July 8, 2008, 1:27 pm
OK, the article is up. Get your friends and families to leave video replies on Seesmic - the more video buzz the buzz gets the higher the video gets ranked and the more people see it and get interested in giving advice and joining. http://www.profy.com/2008/07/08/cre8buzzkimono/
Comment from Leslie Poston on July 8, 2008, 11:59 pm
Thanks Nodragon :O)
Glad my humble buzz-pushing is reaching out across the globe ;O)))))
Leslie, love the video post, have Stumbled it, ofcourse ;O)
Onwards and upwards, there can be no failure!
squiffs ;O)
Comment from squiffy on July 9, 2008, 12:42 am
I am here to stay! =0)
Comment from David Tamayo on July 9, 2008, 8:49 am
I am glad you are being honest with everyone, and I am looking forward to following along with The Buzz’s progress, and adding helpful advice whenever I can. I am very proud to be a member here, and I know things are going to pick up again.
Comment from Tara on July 9, 2008, 9:22 am
I guess I’m the contrarian. If you want to make it, you need to have people who will tell you the bad news, not just cheerleaders. Cheerleaders have their place in the world (I was one, too) but if all they ever tell you is everything is great, you’re the best ever, blah blah blah, etc. etc. etc., how will you know what really needs improvement?
In the last 6 months, according to Google Analytics, I’ve had only 37 visitors from cre8buzz. During that time, I’ve had dozens of comments, friendship requests etc. - You even profiled me on a shoutout after my hiking accident, but the members never clicked on my main site - they stayed on the cre8buzz interface. I think that’s one of the reasons that your percentage of active users is not higher. You promote yourself as a place to publicize your best “stuff” but your algorithm rewards people who just hit and run comment. I get more visitors from MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, Squidoo, MyBlogLog and most of all Stumble (1800+ in 6 months)
I think the buzz has potential or I would have quit months ago. But if you’re going to make it, I believe you’ll have to look beyond your fan base and figure out how to get other people interested.
Comment from juliemarg on July 9, 2008, 8:37 pm
I admit I’ve been slackin’, Antman. But I’m writing for literary blogs plus my own. My serial stories don’t lend themselves to cre8buzz and I spent every spare second on them.
Having just concluded a long one, though, I’m putting up a nonfiction series that I think peeps might find interesting.
Further, I resolve to do better by ya; ya’ve sure done well by me.
Comment from Kathleen Maher on July 10, 2008, 9:42 am
I am so behind in life and at Cre8Buzz. I hope to catch up and help.
Still love ya!
Comment from melody is slurping life on July 12, 2008, 7:10 pm
Opening up is the way to go. Most start-ups wouldn’t do this, so I’m glad to see you all give a try. When people know your vision, they are more willing to help out. Keep up the good work. It’ll pay off.
Comment from Theo J. on July 12, 2008, 11:33 pm
Oh you may be small and things change no doubt, but you definitely have some kind of an edge. Hang in there and might I suggest a quirky thing called prayer. No sh– it works. I found out again recently. Really, positive thoughts, thank God for what has happened even if it has not happened yet. The Universe is not on our time schedule, my friend. I’m weird right, that girl in spirituality. Just try it.
Comment from terriclark on July 16, 2008, 10:17 pm
I feel your pain. My startup had to close up shop. It was an ecommerce site and our processor called me up one day and said guess what you can no longer accept cards. I’ll spare the details but basically I could not see a rational path to keep the business going in a profitable manner. Doing it for my ego’s sake would have been just another ulcer forming
Cre8buzz seems like a wonderful moral support community but I agree with the one dissenter since I no longer have a business I gotta spend my time at what will bring in money to pay my bills.
Comment from colleen on July 28, 2008, 7:26 am
I heard about Cre8Buzz, through my newspapers. You came highly recommended, by the techie types. It’s summer for cripes sake. Websites go to near death during off school seasons.
I read your announcements and also the following community comments-It gives me insight to the community as a whole.
Lemonade.com was plugged on the Today Show here in the USA. They should have been swamped with ten’s of 1000’s of new sign-ups, but they only got a few thousand. Since I am a pubblicist, I wrote the CEO’s and told them my plan. They said go for it and I got them a few thousand more sign-ups within the month and it’s still growing, but much slower during the summer months.
I guess I am going to have to figure out some more coding and take on Cre8Buzz to, eh?
ATTN: ANTMAN,
Stop the slang writing style, it is alienating your new members. I am a publicist and I know what I am saying here. They come in and they fret over the open-ended profile abilities and then they read these messages, that sound like ‘gangsta’ rap. They could be leaving due to this. YOu seem to be playing both extremes of the personality wheel-Yes, there is such a thing, very much like the color wheel an artist would gauge color hue and saturation with. Antman is talking to MySpace Teenies and the website is conveying, grown-up professionalism. Even I am a bit put off by this extreme and I hang with rap artists and crazy musicians, who forgot to grow up.
Comment from TheCrybKeeper on August 3, 2008, 5:45 am
“…. I get more visitors from MySpace, Facebook, Flickr, Squidoo, MyBlogLog and most of all Stumble (1800+ in 6 months)
I think the buzz has potential or I would have quit months ago. But if you’re going to make it, I believe you’ll have to look beyond your fan base and figure out how to get other people interested.”
Comment from juliemarg on July 9, 2008, 8:37 pm
I agree with Julie. Even major music artists are killing their official website and trading up for MySpace Pages, because that is where the fans will find you. It is also where we book bands, negotiate and find replacement band members, venues, agents, promoters and most of all labels and studios DO find new bands to sign, through MySpace or MyYearbook blogs. Our professional network is behind the MS wheels.
I want to show off my talent here at C8B, but that requires a weekly featured band, being streamed here to my page. Most bands request tht I embed their MySpace players. How well would that go over at Cre8Buzz?
Comment from TheCrybKeeper on August 3, 2008, 5:57 am
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