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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The Guess the Gross store will open online later this year. (Because I know that many of you have been clamoring for GTG gear.
- 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.
- Guess the Gross will soon be holding a membership drive where the top referrers will win some cool prizes.
- I'm also working with some promotional firms to run some exciting contests.
- 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
