Invite only community vs. Open?
Jamie Peak
5 replies
Hey, ProductHunters!
I'm looking for some feedback/help. I'm currently working on a new side project - IndieMaker (https://indiemaker.space/), a friendly hub for indie makers to share what they’re working on.
Posts that are created will be visible to others on the platform so I'm somewhat concerned about spam and the quality of the posts.
I'm considering 2 options:
Invite only community
Very similar to the early days of dribbble, the community will be invite-only. Every member will get a small number of invites they can share with others.
Open signup
Anyone can signup and post content immediately.
The biggest pros and cons I can see right now are -
Invite only will most likely reduce the signups/early growth but will no doubt keep the quality much much higher and keep spam posts low.
As it's a following/follower structure the same as twitter/dribbble you'll only see posts from people you follow. Meaning spam won't be immediately visible to most users by default but it will still be there and need moderation.
What would you do in this situation?
Feedback would be greatly appreciated. 🙌
Replies
Bobby Newman@obynewman
I would go for the option that will make the product unique / stand out from competition. Growth and Quality sometimes do not run together ( look at McDonalds’ beginnings )
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Hello, Jamie
Choosing between invite-only and open signup is indeed a crucial decision. Here are a few thoughts:
// Invite-Only Community:
Pros:
✨High-quality Content: You're likely to attract a more committed and quality-focused user base.
✨Lower Spam Risk: Spam can be minimized with a controlled invite system.
✨Community Trust: An invite-only approach can create a sense of exclusivity and trust among members.
Cons:
â• Slower Growth: Initial growth might be slower due to limited invites.
â•Potential Exclusivity Concerns: Some users may feel left out if they don't receive an invite.
// Open Signup:
Pros:
✨Rapid Growth: You'll likely see faster user acquisition.
✨Diverse Community: It allows a more diverse user base to join.
✨Broad Exposure: You can potentially attract a wider audience.
Cons:
â•Quality Control: You'll need robust moderation tools to combat spam.
â•Risk of Low-Quality Content: Open signup can lead to lower-quality posts initially.
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Here's my suggestion: You could start with an invite-only phase to build a solid core community and ensure quality. As the community matures and moderation tools are in place, you can then transition to open signup to scale up.
Ah, the velvet rope strategy vs. the open door. Both have their merits.
Invite-Only:
Pros: Exclusive, higher-quality interactions, more control.
Cons: Slower growth, potential echo chamber.
Open:
Pros: Rapid growth, diverse views, viral potential.
Cons: Harder to moderate, quality can dip.