The Blog at Guess The Gross

GUESS THE GROSS VERSION 2.0

Last night, I announced, in this space, that after some deliberation, I decided that the best way to honor the loyal readers who have made Guess The Gross a vibrant community, was to improve the site and grow it. I also promised to detail some of our plans for the coming year. While I won't get into specifics on some of the ideas listed below, you will like the direction in which Guess The Gross is moving.

1. First, while the weekly contest will continue -- for the time being -- to be hosted at Guess the Gross, everything else site-related will take place on the blog. Previews, features, news, the weekly contest announcement, etc., will all originate here. I am in the process of teaching myself how to use a new content management system that will strengthen the site and allow for more robust contesting and I suspect that when I'm up and running on the system that you'll see more significant design and feature changes.
2. In regards to the weekly contest, while it will remain free, I will likely offer some sort of low-cost membership plan that will entitle the purchasers to -- among other things -- additional entries into the weekly contest.
3. We will be introducing more contests and more features, columns, and reviews on to the site, thereby giving you a reason to come back each day. In addition, all reviews, features, etc. currently located at Guess the Gross will be ported over to this blog.
4. The Guess the Gross store will open online later this year. (Because I know that many of you have been clamoring for GTG gear.
5. Starting in the second quarter of the year (after the Oscars and before the summer), we're going to hold a quarterly t-shirt design contest where you will have the opportunity to design a shirt and the winner's shirt will be sold at the GTG store with the winner receiving a  50% cut of the net profits.
6. Guess the Gross will soon be holding a membership drive where the top referrers will win some cool prizes.
7. I'm also working with some promotional firms to run some exciting contests.
8. Finally, there will be a greater focus on soundtrack and DVD releases.

There are several other things in the works that I know will make this a better site. If you're interested in joining our editorial or production team (or if you're really good with Drupal), send me an email. While we can't afford to provide you with any monetary compensation at this time -- and no, I'm not making a penny on the site either -- as soon as the site does start generating money, you'll be compensated. In addition, you'll get first crack at any swag the site gets. (Plus, if you review DVDs, you generally get to keep them.)

Once again, it's bedtime. I hope that everyone had a safe and healthy holiday and that you will join me to make Guess the Gross the best movie site on the planet in 2008.

Happy New Year to all.

It's showtime.

--roy

STATE OF THE GUESS THE GROSS UNION

The past year has been a difficult one for Guess the Gross. We have had some technical difficulties as well as problems with our contests. I know that some of our friends no longer check the site as regularly as they once did, and that saddens me. At the same time, I realize that building a great community is something that requires a great deal of attention and, at times, due to real-life intrusions on our little world, I have not always been able to nourish this site to the extent that I would have wished.

I've spent the past few weeks pondering the future of Guess the Gross because the site felt more like a chore over the past year than it did an enjoyable pastime. I considered putting the site to pasture. We have had a good run here, nearly a decade, dating back to the days when we were known as Bikkit.com and founded and led by editor-in-chief emeritus Keeley and I began to wonder if I was doing both him and our regular readers and contributors a disservice by attempting to keep alive a flame that has burned brightly in the past.

After much deliberation, I decided that the best way to honor this site's legacy was not only to continue with it, but also to improve upon our foundation. Since it is already very early in the morning as I type this -- and I suspect that Santa passed overhead several hours ago, which means, no presents for me -- I will post again in the next 24 hours a detailed look at Guess the Gross' plans for 2008.

I am hopeful that the coming year will be one to remember. With your support (which will be rewarded), Guess the Gross is going to rise again, and end up stronger than ever.