How can we grow and gain users while bootstrapping?

[unientrepreneur]

Hi all,

I'm looking for advice on avenues for growing our user base for a new social website. We are bootstrapping and so currently aren't looking for investment, so we can't benefit from the PR and connections an influential investor would bring on board.

Apart from Google advertising (which we do), how can we grow our current user base?

Thanks

 

[fisicx]

Do you need to grow the user base? If it's free and non-profit then it's just a hobby site with a bunch of people posting links.

So you have two real options: let it grow naturally as people tell others about the site or you pay for adverts.

However, I still can't work out the point of the site. I looked at the activity feed (again) and can't see any reason to join. What exactly is it you are offering?

 

[Alan]

Google "19 traction channels" and read up on them and the bullseye model and how to select 3 likely traction channels and test.

My detective skills are not as good as @fisicx so I don't know what the site is about and cant comment if it is viable - but the marketing process remains the same

 

[ethical PR]

Hi @Alan - The OP's website is on their profile.

It's a website for entrepreneurs and investors.

OP if you want to promote your site, your need to develop a marketing plan to help you get your name out there to your target audiences. There are lots of events and exhibitions aimed at start ups, you can look at targeted online ads on business sites such as this forum, PR and third party marketing with established business organisations.

I can't actually work out what you do though - this is a major barrier - why would people use your site when they don't understand how it could benefit them. What are you offering that your competitors don't. What research have you carried out to identify that what you are offering is what people want and need.

And why if you want to encourage users do you make people register before they use the site.

Also you don't provide contact details for your organisations which is a legal requirement.

As an aside why do you talk about dollars if you are a UK site.

 

[Alan]

I looked at profile>information lol

Also you don't provide contact details for your organisations which is a legal requirement.

It is in the footer isn't it?

Of course in 2017 any wantreprenuer can get a facebook like opensource plugin and build a social network.

I believe (apart from the "is there a need question" ) that any social network needs a critical mass to succeed. How are you going to incentivise people not only to join but to contribute?

 

[webgeek]

Users will come for: information, entertainment, interaction

Take your pick of what of those you can provide freely or cheaply, but still of sufficient quality to keep them returning.

Look at UKBF. Sift uses user-generated content, both in the forum interactions, but also the articles.

If you can take the time to put together some wickedly useful content, optimise it and get Google sending you the inbound traffic, you'll get the funnel flowing. From there it's up to who you've invited and encouraged to post as to whether or not you get the momentum you seek.

 

[Alan]

The big question for the OP is what will incentivise users to use their platform rather than the existing platforms such as reddit, linked in groups, existing forums etc?


The big question for SIFT is what happens if the top 20 active participants stop posting?

 

[webgeek]

People will come because of the content / infotainment.

Personalities will keep them coming back as a community.