Our FAQs, and Things We Suspect About BzzAgent

Hi! Since we're growing at an amazing rate, the mods thought we should put together a FAQs section, and that it should answer some of the more common questions we have about Unofficial Bzz and BzzAgent itself. I'm locking this thread so that it doesn't get filled with chit chat, but we will continue to add to it as we notice patterns and trends on the board. So here goes:

Q: Is Unofficial Bzz affiliated with BzzAgent?
A: No. That's why we're unofficial. That being said, we try to remain on good terms with them.

Q: Do you have inside info on BzzAgent?
A: No. But we do notice patterns in all the posts here, so sometimes we figure out details you might not on your own.

Q: Does BzzAgent watch the posts on this board?
A: Well, they can if they want to. We do have at least one member who works for BzzAgent, and more could join if they wanted.

Q: Can we use this board for things other than BzzAgent?
A: Yes, but try to keep it off the BzzChat section. Also, keep in mind that there are other boards, blogs, and websites out there that may be more appropriate for what you have in mind. We're not interested in becoming ebay, the NRA, TV Guide -- it would be too much work, LOL. So talk and visit and share interests, but don't expect us to answer every question on those subjects. Try to keep sales and business transactions and the like to PMs or e-mails so it won't clog the board or cause Rebecca to have liability.

Q: Can we use this board to Bzz people?
A: Yes, but we request that it not be fluff Bzz. It needs to be to someone not in the campaign, and it needs to have some substance such as answering a question or sharing your experiences of the product, not just "I got in the campaign!" On our board, "Bzz me" has become shorthand for "tell me all about it because I'm interested in the product and am considering buying it." It does not mean "pretend to tell me something so you can make a fake report so you can get more points."

Now, on to what we suspect about BzzAgent. (And I'm using the word suspect only because this is info we've figured out on our own and because I like the suspect smiley. )

We've read a lot of posts since this board began (over 5,000 in the first month alone) and we've begun to notice patterns that we didn't notice as individual agents. So we've started compiling a bit of advice about Bzzing. This is not inside info from BzzAgent, is not official, and is subject to change since we'll be adding to this as the need arises and as BzzAgent changes. If this isn't what you've experienced, start a thread about it and we'll see if we can fine-tune our understanding.

1. BzzAgent sometimes loses reports. It's not common, but it does happen.
So we advise you write them in Word first and copy and paste them onto their form.

2. Report approval and scoring appears to be up to the individual Com Dev who reads it.
So we advise that you try to be considerate of the Com Dev who has been reading these reports for days on end. There is not much of an overall pattern of which reports are rated poor, good, or exceptional. "Poor" is usually only for reports that do not Bzz a person (such as when an agent gives their opinion, but doesn't talk to someone about it). "Good" seem to be given about 95% of the time. "Exceptional" seem to be given for reports that are enjoyable to the ComDevs to read. Use good grammer, don't go on and on about nothing, and try to be funny and upbeat, even when the Bzz was negative. And don't make them struggle to come up with a three or four line reply to a one sentence Bzz.

3. BzzAgent's clients are the ones to choose who joins their campaigns. BzzAgent doesn't have much of a say most of the time.
So we advise that it won't do much good to pester BzzAgent when you aren't offered campaigns. Just try to keep your surveys up to date.

4. BzzAgent actively looks for "Pests" their term for dishonest agents who are not living up to their end of the agreement.
We advise first and foremost that you are honest in your Bzzing and submit high quality reports. However, we have additional advice. Don't have multiple agents using the same computer and the same mailing address. If they trace the IP address of the computer, they may mistakenly assume one person is submitting reports under different names. If you can, save an e-mail from Bzz inviting you to sign up your spouse or child. It has helped clear up the situation for agents in the past.

Good luck and have fun Bzzing!

Hello again!

Recently there has been a lot of interest on the board in freebies, survey sites, etc. That only makes sense, since most of us became BzzAgents because we love sharing our opinions and getting things for free. But while we all like a good freebie, none of the mods has the time to track down all the outside links that posting freebies here could lead to. It could easily become an all day job, and we are all volunteers. So, we've decided to simply direct those who are interested to look at the following websites.

http://chellesguidetofreesurveys.com/default.aspx

http://www.katieshugs.com/

http://moneyandfreebies.blogspot.com/

All three sites are run by members here, and each has a slightly different format from the others. We encourage you to check them out and to post new freebies and recommendations there.

Thanks,
Karen

This is just to update everyone to the fact that we now have an "Unbzzed and Unendorsed" forum for freebies. We still encourage you to visit the sites above, but it is acceptable for members in good standing to post freebie links on the new board. PM Rebecca for details and permission. Thanks.