I think it would help a lot if you were a little more open with trying to get people outside your close CR involved in big plots at the start and avoid trying to keep things too secret. It can come off as really insular, otherwise, and when you have characters who are major movers and shakers in the plot, it can start to feel a little bit like there's some sort of exclusive club atmosphere going on.

Zetta's alicorn plot was handled pretty well, but it's something I've noticed generally. When you have big plot ideas, maybe try OOC posts to drum up interest outside the usual suspects that you'd turn to immediately. It can be hard since there are certain people that you work best with, but even just making the effort would greatly improve the image that, for better or worse, you've managed to get for yourself.