I've always wondered why there aren't more sites like Hellobee... I think that tons of industries could benefit from a similar model! I love group blogs and message boards too! 
What do you guys think... why aren't there more sites like Hellobee?
GOLD / eggplant / 11517 posts
I'm not sure! I really like how mature/friendly this community is. All of the other pregnancy/parenting message boards I have tried to be involved in are so immature and use such bad grammar and spelling that I can't stand to read it.
grapefruit / 4110 posts
I agree. I need more places with mature/friendly people. I have tried other boards and this is the one I keep coming to.
hostess / wonderful persimmon / 25556 posts
@highwire: yes! The other boards I have been on, even local ones, they all seem to have one thing in common - people who don't care what they say or how it's taken by others.
Perhaps it's because this isn't just a chat site but a bogging site, as well? Also, it seems a lot of folks have come over from Weddingbee. Does that site have the same type of comraderie and kindness from it's users?
coconut / 8681 posts
@highwire: I definitely agree!! I have a few pregnancy apps on my iphone and when I go on their "Boards" the people that post on there are not even close to the level of maturity that you find here.
@mediagirl: Most of the time WB does have the same feeling, especially on the TTC and pregnancy boards I've found.
clementine / 861 posts
I actually just had a discussion about this last night with a friend of mine. I think that Hellobee is unique in the maturity level and compassion of its members. No other website that I have visited (including WB) has made me feel so welcomed. I'm not sure how HB has managed to gather such a friendly group but it's the only message board community that I've ever felt included in.
GOLD / squash / 13464 posts
I think part of it is that this is a small community. Most of us "know" each other. And because we are a small group we care about each other and we take pride in maintaining a supportive and respectful environment. It makes me sad to say that because for Mrs Bee's sake I hope HB continues to grow and grow but I do think that at a certain point the vibe would be affected... And I did notice the snark increase on WB as it got bigger and bigger.
wonderful clementine / 24134 posts
I think part of the reason is sites get too big. Too many differing opinions and then fights break out. Then you get trolls which is NO fun.
GOLD / wonderful coffee bean / 18478 posts
You mean in other genres as well right - not just in parenting? I think part of what works is that people frequently can't talk about these topics to people IRL: TTC, miscarriage, pregnancies until at least 12 weeks, misbehaving toddlers. You don't necessarily need to remain anonymous for all other topics.
clementine / 826 posts
@Jumpingjacks: I ditto too...
Hellobee is so unique that I am not even sure I'd want to see something else exactly like it.
Mr Bee, I think you and Mrs Bee broke the mold on this site. As Martha Stewart would say, it's a good thing.
honeydew / 7504 posts
Totally ditto what @pbandbaseball said. I never felt this included anyway, even at WB. I don't know why HB tends to attract a more mature, supportive, and nonjudgemental crowd, but I'm so glad it does. The snark and TERRIBLE grammar on other sites really turns me off. I absolutely love this community.
grape / 99 posts
I agree with the PPs. I think part of what makes Hellobee so great is that we're all little fish in a little pond. It's the maturity and support here that makes it so unique. I also love the fact that this site isn't really sectioned off. Sure, there are specfic TTC/Pregnancy/Parenting boards but everyone is welcome. There isn't that "well, you're already *blank*, what are you doing on these boards?!" mentality.
cantaloupe / 6730 posts
@highwire: Ha!! You are so right! And now that you mention it, thank you everyone for not typing like 13 year old girls!!
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
I don't know why not, but I really want one started for home decor and cooking. Can y'all work on that next?!?!
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
@Mrs. Blue: We may do one for cooking!
Not sure that home decor is obsessive enough as a category though?
blogger / pomelo / 5361 posts
@mrbee: Please see Young House Love's cult following to experience the obsession with remodeling/decorating. Also, please let me blog on the cooking one.
admin / wonderful grape / 20724 posts
@Mrs. Blue: Haha yah, Bee and I definitely check that site out all the time (how in the world do they respond to every single comment!!). Our two final contenders for new blogging sites were home decor and parenting, and parenting won out due to how obsessive we both were on the subject!
Plus there's so much competition in home decor blogging these days... not sure we have enough to say on it to really stand out.
We've talked about creating a blog incubator at one point, and helping people start Hellobee-style blog/communities. Maybe once Hellobee is a bit bigger and more established, we'll have time to get going on that!
pomegranate / 3503 posts
This is the first forum I've ever participated in. I've lurked on others but have found many people on others to be very snarky. I like the ease of use of HB and that the focus is really on the people, the topics and helping others.
hostess / papaya / 10540 posts
I think there aren't more sites like this because there aren't people who take the time to care about their sites like you two do. The Bee family has a great secret recipe figured out!
GOLD / wonderful olive / 19030 posts
I think it's the people that make this the best community, other ones I have visited are so negative and the people almost want to hurt feelings. I like how on here are positive and even if there are disagreements they are done in a nice/positive way.
cantaloupe / 6669 posts
I love the "Bee" model of group blogs, and I really wish there was a home decor one! @mrbee: I would be SO down for that blog incubator idea!!!
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