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How can a startup actually gain momentum when it actually requires some users already using it to succeed? For example, consider a startup where one party will put in what he/she wants to learn and another party will put in what he/she can teach, and then the system will make pairs based on their location.

How do you gain the initial momentum in a startup that requires such a network effect?

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This is essentially the same question as your other one: answers.onstartups.com/questions/21280/… – Michael Pryor Mar 9 '11 at 14:01
@Michael What do you find the same in both the questions? They are totally different. Does the milliondollarhomepage had any users? – Ashfame Mar 9 '11 at 14:33

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I'll provide one suggestion that should help. Make sure to acknowledge your users. This can be done many ways, but I'll give two suggestions.

If you spend a ton of time on this site in your first couple of weeks, or maybe it's a month, you'll get an email. The email will let you know that you have been one of the more active users over your first couple of weeks, and encourages you to continue. Acknowledging your top users and encouraging them to continue will help you build your base.

Another way would be to send an automatic email one month into some one using your system. Just celebrate the fact that they have been using your service for one month.

So I don't know exactly what you are capable of handling with your site, but this suggestion can be taken lots of ways. Just make sure you acknowledge your users, let them know how their content is helping to build a community in which they are in integral part.

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I am more of a developer, and my idea would have postings by users which will expire after some time. I got your point though, anything else that you could suggest like for the strict time-frame of content. – Ashfame Mar 8 '11 at 14:12
Ashfame, I actually am a developer too. I get the system you are mentioning. What I was suggesting was for users that either post items or respond to posted items. If you can keep count of how active they are, it will help you find the dedicated users and not spend time on someone who just stumbled upon your site. – Justin C Mar 8 '11 at 18:19
I think I got the idea of building up the momentum. Thanks a lot :) – Ashfame Mar 9 '11 at 8:29

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