Where was the Buzz around Google Buzz?
Today Google’s latest service Google Buzz launched, and at least it took me by surprise, because I had not heard about it. I follow over 100 of the biggest social media, marketing, tech and web development blogs, yet the first article I could find about Google Buzz was published about four hours ago.
The function is coming to all Gmail users during the next couple of days, and I have to admit that I’m not one of the lucky ones who already got it. However, I was able to get a glimpse from it by looking at some other people’s account. Because you can see “buzzes” from those who have account and has “buzzed” publicly, here is Mashable’s.
So what is Google Buzz?
Google Buzz is Google’s first real attempt to a social network. It is build in to the Gmail interface and automatically connect you with your friends, and with 150 million Gmail users this is a social network with a high potential.
Here is the official video introduction:
So where was the Buzz around the launch?
Before the launch of Google Wave, there were videos, a site, invites and comments from those who had tried it. Yet, I still have not figured out how I could best implement the use of it in what I’m doing. However, I did know what Google Wave was.
With Buzz the opposite seem to be going on, no one had heard about it, or at least not said anything about it. The network seems to be easy to use and it does not require much set up as it is built into Gmail.
Now this might have been a smart move considering the amount of Buzz that is going on right now. On Twitter I looked at the hash tag Google Buzz and within seconds I had 290 unread tweets. Thus, they might not have needed too much pre buzz.
But why not? What will they win or lose on not having any buzz? Did they have any test group outside of Google before the launch?
I think that the face that they did not speak about it before make the implementation quicker. Because of the fact that Google is so established, they knew that the Buzz would come with the launch. Therefore by releasing it to all in a few days, they created an “eagerness” of people to try it out. Which could mean that people have time to create their own opinion before they have heard everyone else’s?
What do you think?
Try it out, or check the buzz, (without getting to influenced ;)
Here are is some of the latest Buzz about it:
- Read Write the Web – Live Blogging from Google: Launch of Google Buzz
- Marketing Pilgrim – Google Buzz Launches 150+ Million User Social Network
- Mashable – Google Buzz: Competitors and Experts React
- Read Write the Web – How Google Buzz is Disruptive: Open Data Standards
- Louis Gray – Google Buzz Brings Social Sharing, Aggregation into GMail
- All Facebook – Google Declares War On Facebook With Google Buzz
How to make customers annoyed before the launch or how to aviod it.
In a city where everything seems to be happening behind closed doors for special invited only. I was excited to find out that a new Music WebTV channel was launching to bloggers, or at least presenting what they are doing. Of course I signed up for the event, looking forward to see what this organization was all about.
However, when I got there earlier today, I did not only find out that the event had been cancelled, or actually postponed, a change that was not public until after I had paid them a visit. But they also told me that the event was not supposed to be public, I wonder where they will find bloggers that is not public?
When I left, my first thought was that I was quite embarrassed; I thought I must have misunderstood something. So after I came home I took another look at the invitation:
“Moodio.TV // Bloggers event // 09/11/09 – 18h30 – Brussels
Moodio.TV, the Belgian music webTV ! Invites you to their launching.
It will be held in our offices on Monday 9 November. During the evening, we will present our project and our new tools to promote artists. Our team will be at your disposal for any question and you will be able to visit our premises. We will conclude with an informal drink and snacks.”
However, after reading this, I think is the new TV channel that have some interesting things to figure out. First of all, do they know what bloggers is, as they invite bloggers but tell me that the event is not supposed to be public? Second, if they do change the date of the event. Why did they not send an email to the people who signed up?
Looking at their website I thought that this company has some interesting things going on, but if they want to get there they really need to start making a better first impression. I mean the man who meet me when I got there did not even introduce himself, and I left feeling embarrassed so clearly he was not keen on making an apologize. Sure maybe it was an honest mistake, but if it is, do not go in and change the date of the event right after I have left.
I am sure this is not the first time a launch gets postponed after the invitation have gone out. So for all of you who might get in this situation, here is are few tips:
- Make sure to inform all people about the change of date.
- If you have set up an event invite make sure to change that at the same time that you send out the emails about the change. Proofread so you have changed the date on all places in the invitation.
- Have someone present at the time and place for cancelled event to greet and explain for people who might not have got the message about the changes. Make sure that they leave wanting to come back.
- Send a special invite to those who signed up for the first date, so that they feel more encouraged to make plans to attend again.
- Only change the event once, in this case third chances!
- Put on a great first event, you only got one chance to make a first impression, and if you have changed the date, this is really your second chance.
I hope that someone will learn from another one’s mistake, and good luck Moodio, I think that your company idea has potential.