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Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

sellff.com

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Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#131

Post by mdausmann »

clairity wrote: post #60
MattGaiser wrote: post #25

There are a lot of objections on here to being "valued" and "commodified." I don't understand why. You are valued every time you go to an interview or ask for a raise. You can leverage your network in the same way as you can leverage "investment." To me this is already a more transparent version of what already happens.

points are a pretty poor proxy for the amazing variety of skills, proficiencies, and perceptions of humans (or even animals), no matter how sophisticated the point system might be. it also paints an illusory objective sheen (aka ass cover™) over a highly subjective evaluation. you might believe in the point system if it favors you, but that doesn't make the point system any more transparent or "good". we're just not…

I agree with this. Real networks are networks of people you respect and trust. Trying to reduce that to a point system is a poor proxy.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#133

Post by varispeed »

macspoofing wrote: post #111
varispeed wrote: post #103

I wish there was a service I could simply pay for using, enough so that the operator wouldn't have to use invasive advertising where I could connect with other people who would want my services or vice-versa. Why such a simple thing seems to be not possible? Everyone looks to be only motivated by $$$ and turning potential customers into product. I also don't understand why should I value a network where the main sell…

>I wish there was a service I could simply pay for using, enough so that the operator wouldn't have to use invasive advertising where I could connect with other people who would want my services or vice-versa. There are a lot of services that you can pay to use. The problem with social networks (which this is) is that though you are willing to pay, others are not, and social networks are worthless without the 'networ…

I don't mind being on a network without people who don't want to pay for it. Not sure why is that an issue?

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#134

Post by disiplus »

4sellff wrote: post #119
macspoofing wrote: post #109

>I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn Zero-cost and ad-free FOR NOW you mean. At some point you're going to have make money and the only viable options are 1) charity/donations 2) subscription 3) ads and data selling. #2 means you're not 'zero-cost' and #3 means you're not 'ad-free'. So you're going to rely on donations?

With all due respect, there are additional options to choose from. We are still very early in this, but I will "take the bait" since monetization seems to be an issue that people care about. A percentage of revenue is I think a fair option. I am not referring to the previous comment about 30% [or even 10%]. I hate fees as much as the next person and taking a giant cut of your customers income is not the way to grow a…

that's not zero cost, and would be closest to the subscription model.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#138

Post by wpietri »

4sellff wrote: post #119
macspoofing wrote: post #109

>I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn Zero-cost and ad-free FOR NOW you mean. At some point you're going to have make money and the only viable options are 1) charity/donations 2) subscription 3) ads and data selling. #2 means you're not 'zero-cost' and #3 means you're not 'ad-free'. So you're going to rely on donations?

With all due respect, there are additional options to choose from. We are still very early in this, but I will "take the bait" since monetization seems to be an issue that people care about. A percentage of revenue is I think a fair option. I am not referring to the previous comment about 30% [or even 10%]. I hate fees as much as the next person and taking a giant cut of your customers income is not the way to grow a…

I'm sure you mean well, but "we'll figure out sustainability later" has huge negative trust value to me. That's basically what LinkedIn did and it has not worked out well for me. The incentives for eternal revenue growth are incredibly strong, and I have no reason to think you're uniquely capable of resisting them for the next 20 years. I'm am unlikely to go through all the switching cost just to help create a different hegemon.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#139

Post by warkdarrior »

mooreds wrote: post #125
mleonhard wrote: post #124

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Second. I want a LinkedIn that respects its users. Sellff doesn't need to make a product that is much different from LinkedIn. 1. Let me make an online resume, publicly connect with past colleagues, and give and receive recommendations and skills endorsements. 2. Sell job postings. 3. Sell search tools for jobs & candidates. 4. Don't trick people into uploading their contacts. 5. Don't provide an Invite All feature.…

> Allow me to opt-out of connections by type: acquaintance, family, friend, school, work,etc. I'd also love an 'age out' functionality. As far as LinkedIn shows, someone I work with at my current job shows up as the same strength of connection as a random person I chatted with once at a conference a decade ago. Time and number of interactions should play some role in the strength of connection as displayed in the UX…

> Recruiters must pay for every message they post to a Group.

Slight adjustment: Recruiters must pay group members for every message they post to a Group.

Re: Show HN: I built a zero-cost, ad-free alternative to LinkedIn

#140

Post by shaicoleman »

Make sure you think about how to address the "Chicken-egg problems" for network-effect.

A good read about it is: https://apenwarr.ca/log/20201227 (if you're short on time, you can skip to "Chicken-egg problems" section)

"The defining characteristic of a chicken-egg technology or product is that it's not useful to you unless other people use it. Since adopting new technology isn't free (in dollars, or time, or both), people aren't likely to adopt it unless they can see some value, but until they do, the value isn't there, so they don't."

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