Bison: v3

If you didn't read the wrap-up to Bison v2, you might want to do so first, so that you can understand how Bison v3 came to exist. While on vacation, this is how Bison evolved...

What exactly is BCNN?

• BCNN stands for Blogging Community News Network
• it is a blogging service and social network

What is the purpose of BCNN?

• to promote blogging content as an alternative and legitimate form of
• daily news and opinion
• to be the source for "the news about the news"
• to compete against other online news sites for advertising dollars

Who are the customers?

• the blogging community, each individual blogger
• writers
• anyone creating user-generated content

What does BCNN provide the customers to compel them to switch from other blog services?

a) more opportunities b/c of

• shared revenue based on traffic to their blog/entries
• as part of the social network they can expand their readership base (audience)
• become part of a larger purpose "to build a news network" and "create a brand"

b) a better blogging experience

• full web server statistics for their blog/entries so the blogger knows more about thier audience
• more reader traffic because the social network allows for tagging of content (creation of a tag cloud), this allows for associations
• between blogs/entries which generates more readership traffic among BCNN blogs. The tagging of content lets BCNN offer readers the
• following scenario, "If you like this blog, we recommend the following other blogs..." Hence more traffic for bloggers.
• a blog book binding service to allow bloggers the option to offer their content in bound, book formats. Yes, this is possible and it
• will be an additional revenue source for the blogger
• ILP (maybe we keep, maybe not), if yes, it will allow for paid readership opportunities and more revenue.

The implementation plan for BCNN is pretty straightforward,

1. build the software
2. persuade bloggers to use our service with hopes of revenue opportunities. We'll target the more popular bloggers to become beta
3. testers by invitation...
4. As the network grows with content, we can turn on the news feature, such that we'll have a news page, akin to Google News, but all of the links and sections are user-generated, BCNN blogging content. We'll have algorithms to figure out which entries to post in which sections, Sports, Entertainment, Misc, etc... and we'll even have to figure out the order of listing, etc...
5. we hope to generate enough buzz such that regular news services will come to our bloggers for their "news about the news"

So, what do you guys think? Not only about v3, but if you think we should revisit a previous version also. Thanks.

-john