Reaching Critical Mass

747eagle · 04-12-2010, 06:54 PM

I have a website (see profile) that relies on user submitted reports and information to create a database. Problem is, how do I get people to input information at the beginning while the site has no information and is essentially not very useful yet?

How do I get people excited enough to put in all the work of adding information by promising some future return that they can't yet see?

People get to the site, look around a few second and then leave since anything else is too much work and there is no data to see yet.

pearsonbrown · 04-13-2010, 12:44 AM

You need to pay people to post. A service such as the Amazon Turk is a cheap and efficient way of doing this.

Pearson

747eagle · 04-14-2010, 12:44 AM

Is that my only option? I don't have a lot of cash to do that sort of thing

careybaird · 04-14-2010, 03:30 AM

You need to tune in to what motivates people. What would make your users submit content for no immediate reward? Here are some ideas:

Make them feel like they are starting a community - like they are pioneers
Give them a status in the site - like a moderator or admin, to make them feel special
Create a reward system (even if it is just nice icons on their profile page!)
Allow dofollow backlinks or free promotion on site
Offer price reductions on future products
Give away ebooks, links, advice etc.
Give free upgrades for life

I hope that helps, you can do it without spending money!

Richard Garcia · 04-14-2010, 04:50 PM

If possible put and audio file that starts when they land on the site ...explain what you are doing ,how they will benefit and urge that they take the action you are looking for. You might also include a chat function or intake form to contact them or receive your latest message ....hope that helps.
Richard

747eagle · 04-14-2010, 05:06 PM

I'm thinking now I might put up a box that says first 500 reviews gets founder status and free registration for life and urging them to hurry and review now.

04-12-2010, 06:54 PM	#1
747eagle Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Reaching Critical Mass I have a website (see profile) that relies on user submitted reports and information to create a database. Problem is, how do I get people to input information at the beginning while the site has no information and is essentially not very useful yet? How do I get people excited enough to put in all the work of adding information by promising some future return that they can't yet see? People get to the site, look around a few second and then leave since anything else is too much work and there is no data to see yet.

04-13-2010, 12:44 AM	#2
pearsonbrown Grumpy Old Moderator War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Spending the winter in France Posts: 1,091 Thanks: 716 Thanked 352 Times in 157 Posts	Re: Reaching Critical Mass You need to pay people to post. A service such as the Amazon Turk is a cheap and efficient way of doing this. Pearson

04-14-2010, 12:44 AM	#3
747eagle Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reaching Critical Mass Is that my only option? I don't have a lot of cash to do that sort of thing

04-14-2010, 03:30 AM	#4
careybaird HyperActive Warrior War Room Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Blackpool, UK Posts: 251 Thanks: 197 Thanked 63 Times in 43 Posts Social Networking Contact Info	Re: Reaching Critical Mass You need to tune in to what motivates people. What would make your users submit content for no immediate reward? Here are some ideas: Make them feel like they are starting a community - like they are pioneers Give them a status in the site - like a moderator or admin, to make them feel special Create a reward system (even if it is just nice icons on their profile page!) Allow dofollow backlinks or free promotion on site Offer price reductions on future products Give away ebooks, links, advice etc. Give free upgrades for life I hope that helps, you can do it without spending money!

04-14-2010, 04:50 PM	#5
Richard Garcia Teacher patience BIG time Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: San Francisco Posts: 8 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Contact Info	Re: Reaching Critical Mass If possible put and audio file that starts when they land on the site ...explain what you are doing ,how they will benefit and urge that they take the action you are looking for. You might also include a chat function or intake form to contact them or receive your latest message ....hope that helps. Richard

04-14-2010, 05:06 PM	#6
747eagle Warrior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 12 Thanks: 4 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: Reaching Critical Mass I'm thinking now I might put up a box that says first 500 reviews gets founder status and free registration for life and urging them to hurry and review now.