Barriers to Entry – Content Contribution

In reply to Phil Wilkinson’s comment about my feature on Crowdstorm.com – I agree - there are growing numbers of content creators in the UK. I appreciate that your reason for creating Crowdstorm was to get users to become content contributors – by discussing and collaborating information about new and existing consumer products, thus building a social network around consumer goods.

However when a social networking site is based around a particular interest, one needs to consider the barriers to entry with regards to contributing content.

Let me illustrate my point…

On Crowdstorm (in its current state), users can share information on those products they own or on those items they’re currently researching. - A user may want to contribute more to the site ‘but the user doesn't own 99% of those items featured, doesn't have the necessary background to advise others on particular items and nor does the user have an interest in purchasing the item in question. Then you inform the user that he/she can add a range of items he/she owns – well I am now looking at a user who has listed 270 items without a single comment, recommendation or discussion! I am sure there are other users who have done exactly the same! If everyone lists items they own –how much social networking is realistically going to take place from this alone?

Therefore users will find a high barrier to entry – from the perspective of having to own or have interests in particular goods. This prevents further interaction with other users which will inhibit the ability to create a vibrant social network. The majority of activity will come from a small niche of contributors made up of gadget freaks, early adopters and review journalists – interacting with the likes of Bob Jones who replies with a ‘thank you’ message for advice or recommendation but behind the façade will be thinking, ‘I wish I was able to contribute more to this community’.

Not only is there a high barrier to entry, but it creates a social class divide of content contributors –those who can and those who are limited. Instead of everyone being on equal footing – you create a site (using an extreme example) for Rolls Royce owners who not only take pity but actually network with the likes of Lada owners (not that there’s anything wrong with Lada owners – it’s just an example to illustrate my point).

If we compare this to sites which are based around experiences or interests of a non tangible nature - then the barriers to entry are lower. Everyone has the ability to visit a shop, bar, restaurant or discuss topics of interest such as news, music, tv, sports, lifestyles, values and beliefs and build relationships with people interested in similar places or interests.

In terms of barriers to entry: Consider this example - I might not have bought the same product as you from Dixons, but I will happily tell you what I think about the service I received in the Oxford Street branch.

Barriers to entry: The lower they are - the more social networking is the result