Ask HN: ways to obtain critical mass?

[tjit]

I started this for-fun-project: a highly viral site, called http://www.tjetter.com - it enables you to randomly chat with others, with the added twist of being able to eavesdrop on (and replay) other conversations that take place.

The dutch version is doing OK, because I was able to use my established network to get some initial visitors. However, I have barely any international contacts, so getting some exposure in other countries is rather difficult.

I'm looking for suggestions as to how to proceed in trying to obtain critical mass for this kind concept. Ideas?

[delano]

I noticed your post yesterday in the thread about company names and I tried out a few conversations with Tjetter. I saved a couple of the URIs:

http://tjetter.com/#3JcS

http://tjetter.com/#3Jdz

It's an interesting concept but I wasn't sure what to do at first. What do you say to a person without any context? In each of the conversations the other person inevitably asked if I was male or female. I think it would be easier for people to get involved if there was some starting point, like a question. Get people talking about a topic, even if just to disagree. Something to get them going.

As a more general answer to your question, Chris Wanstrath's talk at RailsConf today/this week is a good read: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=596172

[mahmud]

Heya delano! you plum-cheeked, rosy-bummed, fun-pack of a man!

Oh, you're shocked I just said that? well, that was a response to your question:

>What do you say to a person without any context?

With the proper identity, the site can be tuned to encourage odd-ball, fun and goofy monologue-type conversations. It should foster an standup-comedy type atmosphere.

The site owner can encourage a conversation by offering them a "prop"; a graphic image of an object or a person that appears on the screen as a conversation starter. Perhaps a theme/stage/setting where people are encouraged to act out a persona, etc.

Now that thing I said about your bum and your cheeks? err, "nohomo"[1].

--

[1]http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=nohomo

[tjit]

Thanks for your reply, I'm going to think about how (and whether) to prevent the whole ASL-thing on the site.

Excellent read btw, the link you pointed out to me!

[akronim]

Ok, gave it a few tries, every conversation is terminated as soon as you reply "male" to the inevitable question! So option one is probably get 5000 girls on there!

[swombat]

How is it "highly viral"? If it was highly viral, surely, it would acquire critical mass by itself (that's kind of the definition of a viral application)

[tjit]

I probably should have toned that down a bit, yeah. What I meant was that when kickstarted, the concept will pretty easily attract new visitors, because it's a weird experience; and there's hardly a barrier to engage with the site (just click a button and off you go).

The problem is in the kickstarting: no people chatting, means no eavesdropping and barely anything of interest there when you visit.

[markessien]

I think you misunderstand viral. It may be virally shared, but it's not viral by its nature. A viral app is an app like skype or paypal, as they only get useful when the other person uses it. An app like facebook, you interact with the other person over the site, as the person who invites you is 'there'.

Your app is just a 'share this amusing link if you like' type site. It's not inherently viral app. Change it in a way that people want to invite people, and also to stay there. Then it will grow on its own.

[tjit]

Ok, I might have used the term viral a little to easily.

With regard to the inviting: an attempt to this end is made in enabling users to tweet their conversations. This would allow their followers to eavesdrop on their particular conversation in realtime. Why would you want a lot of eavesdroppers? Hmm, good question ;)

So something else for people to invite others..

[kalmi10]

Make "high-speed replay" more speedy. Having to watch for 30 lines for 3 minutes is a bit boring... (or at least add on option to speed it up)

This is not going get you "critical mass", but it might help a bit.

[asimjalis]

Look at the conversations and see what the value proposition of the site is. What is it that people are looking for. And then highlight that value.

[tjit]

People are looking for a way to kill some time. I think this is highlighted by allowing visitors to share conversation-links with others..

Still, the problem remains the fact that it's difficult to get an initial userbase that makes sure there's always something interesting to read about on there :)

[no_signal]

Try to make something funny...maybe a video...or something..fun is always viral.

[tjit]

I don't think the concept needs to be more viral. And I wouldn't know what to make a video about in order to promote Tjetter; are you suggesting something along the lines of a webcast of recorded conversations?