Seriously, plant some seeds. Create/name/find/develop a compelling reason for them to adopt whatever you build. There has to be something to DO, and preferably something they will want to keep doing. What is the payoff? What’s the benefit to them?

People don’t use new applications just to use new applications, they use them because there’s something interesting to do or learn or achieve.

It’s never the playscape structure, it’s the experience of going wheeeee down a slide. Show them one cool thing to do, and make it sticky. Then , when they keep coming back for that “payoff” (the sticky thing) guide them towards kicking the rest of the tires.

Seriously, plant some seeds. Create/name/find/develop a compelling reason for them to adopt whatever you build. There has to be something to DO, and preferably something they will want to keep doing. What is the payoff? What’s the benefit to them?

People don’t use new applications just to use new applications, they use them because there’s something interesting to do or learn or achieve.

It’s never the playscape structure, it’s the experience of going wheeeee down a slide. Show them one cool thing to do, and make it sticky. Then , when they keep coming back for that “payoff” (the sticky thing) guide them towards kicking the rest of the tires.

If a profile is required, active encouragement is sometimes needed such as paired peer to peer education or some kind of organised involvement to get people started. There will always be some people who don’t want to play and some who will enjoy and continue with it. Start with something fun. Most people like facebook for the games they can share.

Even most new computer owners learn to use a mouse by playing solitaire! The serious stuff can follow when people feel more comfortable. Might take a bit of effort at first but as you say a big empty platform is “scary”

If a profile is required, active encouragement is sometimes needed such as paired peer to peer education or some kind of organised involvement to get people started. There will always be some people who don’t want to play and some who will enjoy and continue with it. Start with something fun. Most people like facebook for the games they can share.

Even most new computer owners learn to use a mouse by playing solitaire! The serious stuff can follow when people feel more comfortable. Might take a bit of effort at first but as you say a big empty platform is “scary”

Many of the benefits of social networks behind the firewall come from loose ties. If I am in finance and I have a cool idea for marketing I am unlikely to lob an email in to the marketing department. If however, I play poker with, or share an interest in dogs with a marketing manager, I am much more likely to run it by them.

So start with the social uses and let people find their own opportunities. ‘Build it out a bit’ definitely helps in this regard. You gotta prime the pump.

Many of the benefits of social networks behind the firewall come from loose ties. If I am in finance and I have a cool idea for marketing I am unlikely to lob an email in to the marketing department. If however, I play poker with, or share an interest in dogs with a marketing manager, I am much more likely to run it by them.

So start with the social uses and let people find their own opportunities. ‘Build it out a bit’ definitely helps in this regard. You gotta prime the pump.