Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#1

Post by josh_fyi » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:29 PM UTC

We wanted to scratch our own itch, and the itch of every tech entrepreneur and developer out there: Connecting to the best employees/employers. Why get stuck with just your personal network?

So, we quit our jobs and built RightJoin.io, a SaaS for "peer-to-peer" recruiting. It lets engineers learn about other companies directly from the engineers who are already there. An enjoyable recruiter-free experience for everyone!

Two weeks into the pilot, it's going well -- employers are interested. But the puzzle isn't solved until a critical mass of engineers comes in.

So here is the question, how do you build network effects? It's everyone's million-dollar question, so any thoughts, ideas, tips, sarcasm, and condescending smiles are very welcome.

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#2

Post by brodyp » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:33 PM UTC

Have the employers do your work. They want engineers, let them reach out to engineers. Once the ball gets rolling, the engineers will also do your work for you

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#3

Post by mandytolliver » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:36 PM UTC

Good webapp, that! You're doing something right!

Network effects always start with a small, dense network. Do you have a tight group of software developer friends? Have them sign up, share, talk to their bosses about hiring other developers. When hiring managers see that devs are there, they'll follow.

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#4

Post by mehmedrecip » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:40 PM UTC

The only way to build a network is to start with a network. Here's a trick that's worked for me: Arrange with a conference organizer to connect people who are already there. After all, you know that these folks want to talk. once you have that critical seed, everything else will follow. Just make sure that your first users get real value out of your app!

I looked at rightjoin.io and the design is beautiful! Best of luck.

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#5

Post by rndmzr » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:45 PM UTC

mehmedrecip wrote: post #4

The only way to build a network is to start with a network. Here's a trick that's worked for me: Arrange with a conference organizer to connect people who are already there. After all, you know that these folks want to talk. once you have that critical seed, everything else will follow. Just make sure that your first users get real value out of your app! I looked at rightjoin.io and the design is beautiful! Best of l…

@mehmedrecip, You're basically right, but there's a modicum of luck in all these things. Anyway, I agree that rightjoin.io is beautifully designed.

I checked out the features and it looks like they know what they're doing. Good stuff, best of luck to them. The industry needs some new techniques.

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#6

Post by rparente » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:49 PM UTC

The one and only secret for creating network effects is: Be good. People need to enjoy it, to use it, to find real benefits in your app.

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#7

Post by templeos2 » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:52 PM UTC

1) Praise God

2) Randomly open Bible

Re: Ask HN: What's your secret for creating network effects?

#8

Post by scottalpert » Wed, Jul 30, 2014, 3:53 PM UTC

Actually, you seem to be doing it right. You have the anonymous engineer listings on the one side, and the peer-to-peer recruiting tools on the other. You have as much chance as anyone of entering a positive feedback loop.