Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users. • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#21

Post by starter » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:22 PM UTC

Vmabuza wrote: post #14

starter wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A wise man, you are. Not another Facebook! My network specifically scratches a personal itch by allowing extensive "profiling" of people in my social network. FB is focused on allowing self expression through an aging set of rigid channels (Wall, Games, Notes etc.). My network will be based initially on letting you add to a user's profile with wiki-like ease. For instance, you'll be able to add private margin notes t…

I still dont understand exactly what you are trying to ''sell'' but i understand that you might be trying to protect your idea with some vagueness. In view of the above i can say the following. 1. Use facebook connect and allow users to post their activities on their wall (not automatically though because you'll be banned) 2. Target 2 schools close to each other and ensure scholars in those schools use whatever it is…

Right. You'll appreciate that I'm working on an entirely different model for generating income. Something about the way personal data gets crawled in the name of targeted advertising annoys me and you, I'm sure.

Won't be using #1 since I don't see FB as the solid rock is seems to be. Orkut tanked. Myspace died. FB is mortal, too.

I like #2 & #3. First, I must decide which schools to launch at and why. How am I to decide which locations are best for solid, explosive growth?

Another problem: Should I target HS students who are likely newer to FB or University students who have been on FB for years and have many friends?

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#22

Post by starter » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:26 PM UTC

nolite wrote: post #4

I would hate you and your site if you put my photos and info in there without my consent..

Of course, I understand your hate for this concept - I would hate me too if I was doing this in the name of spam.

I'm not. I'm simply searching for a way to indicate that a user is in my contact list before they've actually signed up and added data their profile. Maybe "seeding" is the wrong term.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#23

Post by starter » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:29 PM UTC

lpnotes wrote: post #3

I'd suggest e-mailing students from the school network as a marketing strategy, providing them with a Facebook Connect link, and hoping they'll be interested enough to sign up.

Thanks for your input but that "marketing strategy" lacks a certain amount of clear execution that I'll be needing to rapidly gain solid market share. Why sit around "hoping" for signups when I can guarantee registrations?

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#24

Post by starter » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:42 PM UTC

soundslikeneon wrote: post #16

starter wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I understand your dislike but this is NOT about mis-using personal data to inflate my network. Think about this: What's the good of having a social networking application without a complete social network?? Its simple: I desire a solid option for creating "passive" profiles so that the early majority of users can see the not-yet-active late majority. See the vision?

It makes perfect sense, but there's a problem with this approach. The information in the passive profiles will be nothing new to most users, who already have their friends' contact info and an idea of what they all look like. So a pre-populated social network like the one you're talking about would be much closer to a phone-directory than anything truly "social." And I know that passive profiles are supposed to be th…

Ok, but what are you suggesting? An empty network with each user having maybe 5-10 friends within the first 24 hours? Won't last.

Bottom line is this: If "Johnny" can't find something on that cute brunette from Arts 101, We're toast. Get it?

I'm not trying to make full profiles for inactive users. I'm simply searching for a method to allow "Johnny" to find "Katy" within seconds of joining my social network. He clicks "add", she gets an email message. Done.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#25

Post by Mz » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:48 PM UTC

I've had people search for my email address on facebook, which I have an account for but really don't use. I've also recently gotten an email indicating someone was looking for my email on Twitter. I considered signing up for it but couldn't get the info I needed to feel comfortable with it so never finished the process, even though I was flattered that this person was interested in following what I am up to. Maybe you could do a notification email like Twitter sends when someone searches and you don't yet have an account but with a better explanation of it all so the invitee feels more motivated/comfortable? IE try Twitter's approach but try to improve on their model.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#26

Post by starter » Sun, Aug 07, 2011, 10:51 PM UTC

JoachimSchipper wrote: post #2

To the best of my knowledge, there's no way to do this. Which is good, because I'd be very annoyed if you added me without explicit consent. Also, there are few general social networks, and there are good reasons for that.

Wrong. There is always a way to do something right. FB added a few thousand Harvard students into one directory. Were they wrong?

I know. I'm asking only because I think I have a better site, a better business model and passion for connecting people. I can do this better.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#27

Post by JoachimSchipper » Mon, Aug 08, 2011, 8:58 AM UTC

starter wrote: post #26

JoachimSchipper wrote: post #2

To the best of my knowledge, there's no way to do this. Which is good, because I'd be very annoyed if you added me without explicit consent. Also, there are few general social networks, and there are good reasons for that.

Wrong. There is always a way to do something right. FB added a few thousand Harvard students into one directory. Were they wrong? I know. I'm asking only because I think I have a better site, a better business model and passion for connecting people. I can do this better.

I seem to recall that what Facebook did violated at least (the university's?) copyright, but IANAL (nor even a resident of the US). Either way, I would likely have complained about their actions/asked for my data to be removed/filed a DMCA takedown if I were in Harvard at the time, and would recommend that you not look to Facebook's early days as an example to emulate.

I understand that you have the best of intentions, though, and wish you good luck. Just leave me out of it.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#28

Post by starter » Mon, Aug 08, 2011, 2:44 PM UTC

JoachimSchipper wrote: post #27

starter wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Wrong. There is always a way to do something right. FB added a few thousand Harvard students into one directory. Were they wrong? I know. I'm asking only because I think I have a better site, a better business model and passion for connecting people. I can do this better.

I seem to recall that what Facebook did violated at least (the university's?) copyright, but IANAL (nor even a resident of the US). Either way, I would likely have complained about their actions/asked for my data to be removed/filed a DMCA takedown if I were in Harvard at the time, and would recommend that you not look to Facebook's early days as an example to emulate. I understand that you have the best of intention…

Of course, I understand. At least you get my mission.

Thanks for your opinion. I'll find a way to do this right.

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#29

Post by starter » Mon, Aug 08, 2011, 2:47 PM UTC

Mz wrote: post #25

I've had people search for my email address on facebook, which I have an account for but really don't use. I've also recently gotten an email indicating someone was looking for my email on Twitter. I considered signing up for it but couldn't get the info I needed to feel comfortable with it so never finished the process, even though I was flattered that this person was interested in following what I am up to. Maybe y…

Got it. This gets really close. Someone searches for you - you get a clean, well organized email request. Beautiful!

Re: Ask HN: How to "seed" new social network with non-users.

#30

Post by lpnotes » Wed, Aug 10, 2011, 10:13 PM UTC

starter wrote: post #23

lpnotes wrote: post #3

I'd suggest e-mailing students from the school network as a marketing strategy, providing them with a Facebook Connect link, and hoping they'll be interested enough to sign up.

Thanks for your input but that "marketing strategy" lacks a certain amount of clear execution that I'll be needing to rapidly gain solid market share. Why sit around "hoping" for signups when I can guarantee registrations?

What I'm saying is all opinion, of course -- not tested. But my gut reaction is that giving students ownership over sign-up (as long as the process is very simple) is less obtrusive than having automatic profiles. Anyhow, the real test is what would draw them to revisit the network. Informing them that a profile exists might draw them to the site, but tests nothing about how valuable the site would truly be.