By jaochoo on

I am currently thinking about starting a rather big community website which (more or less) completely consists of user-generated content: users can write blogs, upload picture and videos, rate and comment others submissions, connect to each others etc. So nothing new in terms of technology or concept, but I see a huge potential in providing a network for that specific topic/community because there does not exist such yet while furthermore the targeted community consists of people who love to network and publish.

Now neither technology nor the general concept (structure, functionality, etc.) is a problem but I have the following more basic questions which I need to address before I start putting any efforts in that project:

My main question is: I cannot invest in having editorial content, i.e. hiring some editors. Even more I like the idea of having a completely user-generated community and it is more in line with the character of my targeted community who kinda mistrust any controlled press. This, however, leads to a kind of vicious circle: Without any initial content, the community will not attracting enough people to join. Without enough people on the othes hand no content will be generated because there are not enough people who can contribute. Do you see any way to start a community without investing in editorial content? I thought about aggregating existing blogs, flickr streams, etc.

Then, be it user-generated content or aggregated content, how can I control the content in a way that spam is prevented and that the best content is on top? E.g. I know there will be members who publish high-quality pictures taken with a digital SLR camera, while others will upload small cellphone shots; there will be members who not only love to write but also have the skills, while others will run a blog which consists of small posts inlcuding typos. I could review all submission but that would result in a lot of work for me while on the other hand it is crucial that content is available on time right after an event took place.

Additional questions are the cost I should expect (i.e. what should be the scale of the hosting environment; the website will be a local community so nothing big like Facebook or YouTube, yet there is the potential to make it an international community later) and what way exist to monetize it (even though my main focus is not the money but the fun and giving something for that community I at least would like to cover the expenses).

Comments

Bill52’s picture

Bill52 commented

Dear jaochoo,

There are questions in my reply. You don't need to answer them to me but to yourself. My goal is to show a way of thinking rather than give a tailor-made solution.

“I am currently thinking about starting a rather big community website which (more or less) completely consists of user-generated content: users can write blogs, upload picture and videos, rate and comment others submissions, connect to each others etc. So nothing new in terms of technology or concept, but I see a huge potential in providing a network for that specific topic/community because there does not exist such yet while furthermore the targeted community consists of people who love to network and publish.”

There are technical and managment/leadership questions in your message. Let us separate them.
The main points are management/leadership:

  • What is it one wants?
      Do I want to disseminate my view about the issues of this community or I want people to have a main access point, a hub for the issues they find important?
      In one case one will find it necessary to write articles and to filter contributions oneself and by one's camerads. In the other case one will find it necessary to empower other people to run the community.
  • What is MY role in this project?
      Am I a community leader or a technical support?

"My main question is:
I cannot invest in having editorial content, i.e. hiring some editors. Even more I like the idea of having a completely user-generated community and it is more in line with the character of my targeted community who kinda mistrust any controlled press. This, however, leads to a kind of vicious circle:...”

    This is only a problem if one wants to disseminate his own ideas. If one is to provide a 'hub' one needs to find the people who would be interested to generate the content. Quote from above “... the targeted community consists of people who love to network and publish.” Well identified. Somehow you know about them. How?? Find these people and INVITE THEM and ask them to help you to define the site's goal/direction/structure.

"Then, be it user-generated content or aggregated content, how can I control the content ..."
(There are two paths here: Communication quality and Technical issues.) "... in a way that spam is prevented and that ..."

    This is mainly a technical issue. However, what does 'spam' mean for your community? You may find that the generic meaning of 'spam' may be extended in your community's case.

"... the best content is on top? E.g. I know there will be members who publish
high-quality pictures taken with a digital SLR camera, while others will upload small cellphone shots; there will be members who not only love to write but also have the skills, while others will run a blog which consists of small posts including typos. I could review all submission but that would result in a lot of work for me while on the other hand it is crucial that content is available on time right after an event took place. "

    One way to deal with this may be to separate the community into sub-groups – whatever this may mean in your case, example by bloggs – and assign moderators to these sub-groups. This is management: the CEO can't do everything; must DELEGATE tasks and responsibilities. With that empower these people to deal with the task.

  • Define 'best content'! Is it purely from technical point of view or is it from 'artistic' – or communication – point of view? In case of a community shouldn't this be decided by the community?


"Additional questions are the cost I should expect (i.e. what should be the scale of the hosting environment; ..."

    in case of a small, local community there are very cost effective hosting services.


"... the website will be a local community so nothing big like Facebook or YouTube, yet there is the potential to make it an international community later) ..."

    cross the bridge when you are there – meanwhile you gather experince.


"... and what way exist to monetize it (even though my main focus is not the money but the fun and giving something for that community I at least would like to cover the expenses). "

    There may be people within the community who are willing to contribute to the expenses. Usually small business owners. Put their logo on a page and say 'thanks for the support'. One will not become rich though …

    You'll find, if you are enthusuastic about the project, you will be able to get to people's heart. You'll find, if it is a good cause, people are quite willing to donate/help/support.
    On a small scale, running a website cost only a few hundred (US$) a year … + your time + the moderators'/sub-group admins' time.

I hope I could be some assistance in giving directions how to think the issue through.
It is unlikely I'll be back to this page … I'm busy with our on community … :) But perhaps someone else can continue … after all, these are community pages ...
Have fun and good luck with your project!

Bill