Yawpbox

Infobox Website
name = Yawpbox



caption =
url = [http://www.yawpbox.com/ www.YawpBox.com]
alexa = #481,603 [http://www.alexa.com/data/details/main/yawpbox.com Site Information from Alexa] Alexa Internet. Accessed March 23, 2008.]
commercial = Yes
type = Social network service
language = English
registration = Required
owner = BrusterPowers, LLC
author = Anthony Bruster, co-founder & Jay Powers, co-founder
launch date = 2007
current status = active
revenue =
slogan =

YawpBox

YawpBox is an interactive, user-empowered web 2.0, radio, and television experience focused on developing an online community via YawpBox.com. [http://frontburner.dmagazine.com/2008/01/15/d-beauties-have-something-to-yawp-about/ FrontBurner » Blog Archive » D Beauties Have Something to “Yawp” About ] ] It is the first major social networking site to be founded in Texas and to effectively converge three types of media, Internet, television and radio, into one Internet applicationCotton, Lori. Baylor University, The Lariat Online, 2006-03-26. “Alumni construct Web site, use converging media to reach users.” http://www.baylor.edu/lariat/news.php?action=story&story=49980] . The site, launched on December 20, 2007 [http://www.yawpbox.com/Blog.aspx YawpBox ] ] by Baylor University alumni Anthony Bruster and Jay Powers of BrusterPowers, LLC, encourages users to upload video files, journals, or photos based on a number of available topics, such as “Show us your best prank.” Users can leave comments for other users, rank stories, and submit topics to be added to the site. The most entertaining videos will be selected for the YawpBox TV show (in development), hosted by nationally syndicated DJs Lex & Terry. [http://www.lexandterry.com/links/links.aspx Lex & Terry Online - Links ] ] The DJs will also discuss topics and submissions on their morning radio program.Lex & Terry Morning Radio Program, January 9, 2008]

YawpBox is unique from other social networking sites because it ties journals, videos, and photos to a person and profile. Using these various platforms, the site offers a groundbreaking experience of creative collaboration among its users to share their life experiences.Gragg, Wendy. RedOrbit, Waco Tribune-Herald, 2008-01-07. “New Internet Networking Site Has Roots in Waco, Texas.” http://www.redorbit.com/news/technology/1209300/new_internet_networking_site_has_roots_in_waco_texas/index.html?source=r_technology] According to Powers, the site also has a "more personal base and is more secure" than other networks.

Operations

YawpBox.com is free to users who register with the site. [http://www.yawpbox.com/Sign-up.aspx YawpBox ] ] Yawpers, a term referencing YawpBox users, are able to create personal profiles documenting interesting, outrageous, humorous, or exciting personal events. These life experiences are expressed through the use of photos, video, and journal entries. Other Yawpers are then able to view the profiles and leave comments about their own similar experiences. These online correspondences result in “yawp connections” in which Yawpers exchange tips, suggestions, future aspirations and most commonly, a good laugh. The best and most popular submissions will be featured on the YawpBox TV show hosted by Lex and Terry.

YawpBox.com also connects Yawpers through its extensive gaming technology. The site features an array of computer games, allowing Yawpers to meet and compete.

The site currently does not offer any advertising space for sale.

Origins

Anthony Bruster and Jay Powers launched YawpBox in Dallas, Texas, in December 2007. The YawpBox concept first came to Bruster after overhearing a couple discussing an interesting and unique experience from one of their vacations. After spending some time wondering how many others had shared a similar experience, he decided to implement an online social network where people could regularly and openly share their unique life experiences.

Bruster and Powers settled on the name “YawpBox” after discovering the term “yawp” was used in the 1900s to tell or share a story or event with others. They purchased the domain www.yawpbox.com on September 4, 2007. [http://www.networksolutions.com/whois/results.jsp?domain=yawpbox.com WHOIS domain registration information results for yawpbox.com from Network Solutions ] ] They then moved into development of the site, which included basic design schemes, site features, topics, and games.

With the site under construction, Bruster and Powers teamed with morning show DJs Lex Staley and Terry James of the Lex & Terry Morning Radio Network. The DJs are the hosts of a nationally syndicated and XM Satellite Radio program. [http://www.lexandterry.com/Network/Affiliates.aspx Lex & Terry Online - Affiliates ] ] Lex & Terry signed on to host the weekly, half-hour YawpBox TV show, which will showcase the most popular videos and photos uploaded to YawpBox.com. Popularity is determined through a voting mechanism. The TV show will also feature some of the people behind the submissions, allowing viewers to get to know the Yawpers behind the personal profiles. “YawpBox TV will be the first major television show where the subject matter is completely generated by the users of a social networking site,” according to Bruster.

Through the partnership with The Lex & Terry Morning Radio Network, Bruster and Powers also developed a radio component to YawpBox. Lex and Terry will pose various challenges to their listeners, who will be encouraged to upload video or photos of the competitions to YawpBox.com. Yawpers will then vote and select their favorite submissions. Lex & Terry will later showcase the winning videos or photos on a segment of YawpBox TV.

Site Features

Homepage

The homepage displays a rotation of five featured topics with their related content, links to the most popular topics within each category, a list of Yawpers who have recently uploaded content, and a list of Yawpers who have posted the most content. [http://www.yawpbox.com YawpBox ] ]

Profile

Once users register with the site, they have the opportunity to create a profile. The profile allows them to upload a photo as well as basic information about their interests and experiences. Elements on the profile page are “My Yawp Stories” which lists the topics a user has yawped about as well as “Yawp About Later,” which lists the topics a user has chosen to yawp about at a later date. “Yawpers I Know” lists the friends a user has approved, and “Yawper Requests” shows friend requests not yet approved or denied. The “Yawper Finder” allows a user to search for users who posted content to the same topics as he/she, and the user can even narrow the results by city, state, country, or gender. Finally, the “Yawper Talk” is a space that allows users to leave comments for their Yawper friends. [http://www.yawpbox.com/profiles.aspx YawpBox ] ]

Topics

The Topics page displays all the topics available on the site. They are organized into categories: Lex & Terry Challenge, Events, Accidental, Adventurous/Outrageous, Funny/Stupid, Miraculous, Romantic, Serious, Legacy Outfitters, and Colleges, with more topics being added on a regular basis. Users can “Upload My Story” to a topic or “Yawp About Later.” [http://www.yawpbox.com/TopicList.aspx YawpBox ] ] Those choosing to upload content to a topic will be led through a series of steps to upload their journal, video, or photo content.http://www.yawpbox.com/AddStory.aspx?topic=7]

Submit a Topic

Users wishing to post content to a topic not already on YawpBox.com have the opportunity to suggest a topic to the YawpBox team. They can also view previously suggested topics to see what other users are suggesting. [http://www.yawpbox.com/SubmitTopic.aspx YawpBox ] ]

Voting

The voting is handled through a thumbs-up, thumbs-down system. [http://www.yawpbox.com/StoryDetail.aspx?topic=7 YawpBox ] ] Photos and videos with the most votes will be considered for the YawpBox TV show.

Games

YawpBox.com features the following games: Germicide, Mayan Sudoku, Heraldy, Picnic Raid, and RC Racer. [http://www.yawpbox.com/Games.aspx YawpBox ] ] More games will be added at a later date.

Search

The search feature allows users to search for a specific topic or friend already on the site.

Blog

The blog is written by the YawpBox team and features updates about new features on the site or news about the TV show or other points of interest.

Notes