.

PeaceJoyLove:

If you are using the lean strategy, then, the highlighted part is not necessarily the next immediate step to take. Let users tell you what to put at your back end. Though, you need a back end nowz but not sophisticated. Just a simple thing. Customers really dont know what they want until you put an experience on their way, and they start telling you how they feel and how they want to feel after the experience. You build on their experience, and not on what you get from any research. It's now old school to start making research using focus groups. Do it the way facebook, Twitter instagram whatsapp did it. They built from the experience of users.

I have written about MVP. You don't build your back end so sophisticated now. Let users guide you. This is why you dont spend and pay any "gaddam" programmer for MVP. You keep changing it daily based on the feedbacks. Are you going to keep paying programmers money daily? This is why you need to get a co tech as a co founder who understands it. Not someone you will be paying before any new change is done. I laugh at these coders and I laugh at people spending money on MVPs. Go and ask the owner of NL the number of changes he made. I'm sure he had to do it himself or someone kept doing it free for him. One way or the other you get it done free. Dont ever think of paying cos it is a long rope ahead of you. MVP is not what you pay for continously. It is something you do free of charge and then you continue twerking it till you get it right. Or you make a one time payment, and that's it...you have everything to start tweaking from the start. It's why people go for software that are already built just to start instead of building something themselves at the start. The program you are using is not the most important at this stage. Getting to know what works is the main objective at this stage. When you know that, it is easy to get a body for it. Actually, knowing what works is knowing how it works, and it will show you the kind of frame network or body to give it. Why build the body before the internal engine? And why build the infernal engine without knowing what kind of function it should be? Why build an internal engine when you dont have the details of the characteristic of the output you want?

Since most programmers are hungry (this is the real truth), you may need to do it yourself. As in learn it and keep adjusting it. I have a project I'm doing, and I just used wordpress now, amd I created a simple landing page. Its that landing page I keep tweaking. Split A/B testing, change of content on it. And bala bla bla. Later I started building more pages based on the feedbacks. I didnt just load tens of pages. I put real work into it. And guess what? I am on a break. There was something I detected last week based on the majority feedback, and I know I need to get a partner from a particular sector cos I dont want to do it myself. So, I just had to stop oing more work, but I am presenting floating the project just to keep if going. I am waiting for feedbacks from partners I have reached out to. I pray I get one soon.

What you need now is to find a way to just set up. Why are you waiting for months? To build it from A to Z, and then you realise so many changes you need to change? You will just get frustrated, and abandon it. This is the trap that got hold of all those who rushed into copying NL. But if you take it step by step, you may get it. It's still not an assurance you will get it right.

Actually, after reading the story of NL creation, I realised it was lean he used with MVP unknowingly. How? He did a project and wasted investors money. Then, m he said he just started this to keep himself from running insane. Lol. He just started it with MVP unknowingly and he kept making changes based on feedbacks. And it became huge. The same is with Linda Ikeji. After failing in setting up a fashion business, and I think she had debt on her head at the time, she just got on and set up a free account, and started blogging. Her goal was to push out her experience just to keep busy and not lose her mind after the failure. Little did she know too that a new business was already birth. It was the MVP she started like "play play".

MVP is the simplest version of your project. You may even see that you will not do most of the things you have in mind now when users start telling you what they want. However, the principle and process of getting to know what to do is the same. And this is what I have written here, and I continue advising new founders like you.

One thing is sure, you need good contents cos that is the business you are going into. And I think yours arent primarily pictures and videos (I may be wrong). It is more of writing. Since its AirBnb, your focus is to start the strategy you said you know about - how to get contents on your site.

I am not sure how you want to do it, but if you can, do it. It is tricky as they are actually supposed to be your users. But if you will need to use money to get them, it will be a neck breaker cos writers are like programmers these days. And those ones who want to write free wants to exchange it for good experience and large audience. Some want to write only when the platform is well established so they can use it as a marketing platform. And some wants to have fun by spamming you. Hmmm. It is deep. You need to consider these things before you get in board.

Even NL needs the lean strategy to be more innovative. This is the future.

I think I have mentioned "One Piece flow production strategy". Look into it too.

The last strategy i can think of that you should look into, and which most modern owners want to incorporate from start is called "Blue Horizon". As in you want to make your project a killer from the start. What kills most forums is that they didnt prepare for generating good content. NL could have failed too. He was just lucky cos he was the first, and he quickly got people who had been dying to get such desire satisfied.

I like the AirBnb strategy. And I think this is what you should use. Let NL be Craiglist. Lol. There are many unsatisfied users like me that you should target. Can you find a way to know why we aren't satisfied? Then give us what this place lacks, and we will kiss NL bye bye for real. It's a permanent divorce we will give it, and we will accept the IV to eat the akara of its funeral. And that will be the end of moving snakes to front page cos it is disgusting. I don't know if it's the juju they did for the person always moving it. It may really be the ritual they made. Who knows? Lol.

I do not think you should start thinking of too many backends now. Just go and get a forum software and get started if you can afford it. And if you want to build, make it simple now. Make your front page more colorful than this. That is all. And start loading your content. Loading content and making it look like many users are on board should be your assignment, and then the most important is how to start getting real users gradually, and the strategy to grow the number. Mainwhile, there are many users who will not move. They will even threaten NL they are moving. Lol. It is after everyone has moved they will. They are called laggards. You do not want them now. They will join the moving wagon late. You assignment us to spot innovators early adopters asap. And from my experience, there are very few innovators in Nigeria; therefore, you are likely to hunt for early adopters.

The truth is if I say I know the way it will turn out to be or I know how exactly the road will be, I want to scam you. I do not know, and no one knows. You just have to get on board and dive into the ocean hoping to make it blue. And its obvious that when diving into what you know there are uncertainties to tackle, common sense should tell one to spend extremely less till one finds a concrete way to get it done with real assurance one is getting it right. The assurance is the evidence of new users joining daily and posting new contents daily is the signal. And you should have a way to measure your improvement. You must put it up graphically to see how you are doing so you know where to tweak. You must know where you are missing it. You must quantify everything. This is the job of a business expert. So, you can see that knowing coding technical stuff is good, but the real business is established with business skills. These skills are what the owner lack here on NL. And it is why it is still stagnant. He may think I am criticizing him unnecessary, but it's the truth. I want more people like you come out to toss this guy to the bin so we can move on to the next level.

Kindly send me a mail via NL. I will respond.

Well, my bad I should have explained, I'm a developer myself and the back-end will be built in simple php.

the reason it'll take months is we need to develop content, contents are the back bone of any social network.

I took time to study this site and i found out that politics , business and romance have the highest engagements, so it'll be ideal if we spend some time creating quality and engaging contents for these topics first. and you're right we need writers, quality writers, before, I thought of offering them a stake in exchange with quality contents but I realised they won't appreciate it though I haven't tried, my goal is to keep everything lean and spend close to nothing in running costs at least till we see a headway.

I think one can spot early adopters by the way they interact on platforms and also their open mindedness I think its a trait they share, like you sir, a prime example.

I just read some articles on one piece flow production, I've gotten an idea on how to integrate it.

What kills most forums is that they didnt prepare for generating good content

this is what's giving me chills.

what's the best way to get motivated writers without spending much?

my NL mail is not working

This is really beautiful, No Cap.

PeaceJoyLove:

You need writers to get it started. As in consistent "back to back" drops of quality contents. And then, it will pick up gradually. As in look at the rubbish always going to front page here must be avoided. Oh! Before we start talking about front page, at least get 1,000 users first. Then, we can start talking. What you want to do is huge and many have tried and failed. Not discouraging you, but hmmmm. You must be a "coconut head" person to be successful.

I think it may ne hard to do it alone. Also, I think your best bet is to make it appealing to those who like spending long hours online. So, how can you really hook them? It is up to you sir.

It has nothing to do with too much fancy and sophisticated back end operation at this stage. It is about just loading quality contents now. Just continue loading contents. As in, just keep loading contents. Cos this is the way you can do it. Just keep loading contents. And you also must find a strategy to make it look like there are enough people always online.

In summary, your assignment is to make it look like 1,000 people are online at all times. Whether you will use a false trick, of tech to do it, just do it. As in just make it look that people are already using it and its already up. Else, people will just not get motivated at all. So, before you even start telling people, you would have made it look huge. As in huge sir. Outside this, I dont see it working well.

And the best way is the strategy you want to use.... the "subset" thing you talked about. Hmmmmm! But you need real brains. Content writers. People who can drop quality back to back.

You may consider getting a cofounder. I actually thought about this too, but I didnt go the route. Well, its something I desperately wish I am already doing cos I know if I have this power, I will shake the whole of Nigeria. As in, the kind contents I willl be dropping, even, Buhari will be sweating like
24 hours to releasing my editorial monthly review. As the guy who owns this one is just there like say...."make we just dey manage am for the moment". And we just dey mange am honestly. Na so so snakes and reptiles his right hand man drops on front page like he is cursed with reptiles.

If you get this done well, bro....I am one of the first who will port without looking back.

Damn, this is whole lot to digest bro.

I've been re-reading it since in the afternoon.

I have a "fair" idea on how to get quality content to get it up and running and I plan on using the Airbnb strategy we've talked about in acquiring new users, I think I can achieve that without spending much by using the lean startup framework.

I love the idea of making it look lively and big even before launching it, I'll put that in my list.

next couple of months will go into building the back-end and preparing a ground breaking strategy with the info I'm getting from you.

If you don't mind we can work together I know you're busy so being my co-founder is totally off but maybe as an overseer that's if you don't mind I iterate.

Thank you very much for the invaluable knowledge you've shared with me, I appreciate it.

Last request, can we get on a whatsapp call for a proper conversation please.

PeaceJoyLove:

Looks like you want users to develop contents on your network.

Exactly.

As promised bro check it out

retracted.

still under construction though

Aphrikanna:
Did you continue with them? How did it go

no, I didn't.
I was suggesting it at first.

airsaylongcome:


New? Isn't this an attempt at replicating Clubhouse?

I mean here in Nigeria where everyone is building Fintech with the same business model.

it's a bit refreshing to see something different.

Finally something new, can't wait to test it out

staga:


If you have $2k at least, you are good to go as a single person. The island is expensive, but everything works. Pipe borne water from the water board flows. No generator in sight as there is electricity 24/7. Pristine beaches everywhere. Hot ladies (if you are into that). People are generally super nice and ready to help. Majority black population so no racism.

Today I was in a PickUp (their ride hailing app) and the driver was blasting Tire by Mayorkun. Men, I shock!

Thank you very much for this.

I'll try to save more because from the little research I did, the place is a bit expensive but worth every penny.

I'm planning on moving after NYSC.

staga:
I am in Barbados now. I got the Welcome Stamp and moved with my entire family.

Paid for accommodation, health insurance and got a transit visa from the UK. The transit visa application process is very stringent. If you lie on the application, you will be found out. I filled the information, presented all the documents requested and got the visas one hand.

Carrying the e-visa for the Welcome stamp was like carrying a ""get out of jail free" card. Everywhere I was asked at Murtala Muhammed airport, both at immigration and boarding, I flashed it and was waived through with family. We were not even questioned in London Heathrow. No reference to my Nigerian passport. No secondary inspection (even though two Asian guys were pulled out of the queue and searched). We were just waived through with smiles.

Flew there using British Airways via London Heathrow to stay within the 72-hour window for the COVID tests. Was in quarantine with family for a week. Tested again on day 5. Got result on day 7. Now living there as free as a bird.

The location change has been a game changer already. Wifey who is a digital marketing expert that never got a single call from any foreign company is now being inundated with remote job offers. Same with me.

Anyone who wants me to make inquiries for them here, be it work, study, etc can hit me up.

sup bro, I've checked the welcome stamp thing for Barbados, most one make $50k before he's eligible?

if I have a remote work that pays $1k and some freelance side gig can I apply?

TIA.

I'd appreciate it if you tune down the excess complexity of your write up.

matrixme:


funny how everyone that leaves the shores of Africa goes on to become presidents in their chosen country, while the rest of us that chooses to stay behind, becomes HOD in one "unknown" university, or jostle for other menial jobs. If you obviously believed in destiny, you would know that you don't have to be in the U.K to be O.K (as they always say). These kinds of views are unpatriotic. You are the actual slaves, who jumps on planes to go to white man's land in search of greener pastures. Afterall, every sheep in the west is relishing the green, nutritious grasses!

Do you still have this view?

PeaceJoyLove:

Yes! Exactly! Facebook started with Stanford University students. Exactly my idea about social media platform in Nigeria too. But you know you want to compete with facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Also, NL is a competitor. The best way to do it is this: Try to look at AirBnb again. How can you give Nairaland users better service. Honestly, someone like me will port without thinking to your site if you can give me what NL cant. And I dont mind giving out good content back to back almost everytime.

But what I wrote above is just to encourage you. Maybe you have another idea as you want to implement your strategy, but that's how to go about it. Trust me, it is.

However, make sure you do not register your business or anything in Nigeria; else, you can be crushed anytime.

I'm really have a nice time reading your replies sir so encouraging.

I'm presently building a prototype, I'll send you a demo to play with probably by the month end.

Also, I don't really think I'll have problem competing with the big techs, I don't bother with that, they're ahead already, Facebook is launching metaverse pure VR stuffs, if you look at the whole social space thing, it all boils down to interest and value a user is getting from each platform.

I mean, I have Facebook, Twitter, Snap chat and Instagram accounts but I still log in to NL to catch up with your thread and other topics I follow here.

In your words, start small and keep your eyes on the big picture.

PeaceJoyLove:

Hmmm!
Could you explain what you mean by subset and scale?

By subset I mean targeting a group of people, tribes, universities, graduates, working class, singles, in no particular order, getting the subset onboard and using their feedback to develop the app, that's whole lot of work.

I've studied different models that deals with a marketplace and users and I found out that that's what they did when they were starting out.

dribbble: they targeted designers and web designers and when they gain ground, they open it up for recruiters to hire from their designers, earning a commission out of it.

AirBnb: they targeted Craigslist's house listing and convince the listers to re-list on their website, they were even sued by Craigslist for the act.

Quora: they started out with their employees, the founder paid them to answer questions and ask, they even created many fake users just to show interactivity on the site.

Fiverr: they started out selling services for $5 only, targeting buyers with low budget and sellers that are just starting out which a fair level ground in my opinion, and in turn it attracted a lot of buyers because of the obvious cheap price and later they scale up by allowing sellers to charge as high as $1k per gig

I really think targeting a subset is way better because one can apply the lean start up rule and scale up comfortably maybe without even seeking funds of any sort from VCs.

PeaceJoyLove:

To survive in Nigeria, one must understand the grassroot and fundamentals issues. This is why many fail in Nigeria. I am still saying it, the treasures in Nigeria is so huge. But the only thing is that the system does nog allow the right people to take charge. When the right people take charge, things will fall rightly in their right locations. When forum was reigning, everyone opened NL kind and they crashed. LindaIkeji hit it, and everyone suddenly dived into gossiping and blogging. Lol... Now, it is fintech. EFCC is chasing them here and there, and some guys who dont understand the Nigerian fundamentals start saying nothing else is in Nigeria. I understand them, and I am also frustrated. In fact, I almost left Nigeria two months ago finally. But I gave myself a nice talk again and again. Yes, I will leave soon, but I must be able to still continue what I have started. I cannot abandon Nigeria. Never and Never. It is why some of us are still here contributing our quota.

I am even thinking of launching a website very soon where I can advise people. More and more people are beginning to ask me more questions daily. I know we will make it soon by the grace of God.

I believe in what you said about knowing the fundamentals and grassroots issues before starting out.

Nigeria is really a different and unique market, I'm really trying to understand the dynamics but it seems hard to decipher.

Personally, I have interest in the social media space here in Nigeria, I still think we can come up with an indigenous social network focusing on a subset and scale gradually, I might be wrong though.

What are your views on that?

PeaceJoyLove:
Really? Lol

yeah, I'm following your thread in programming section.
Big ups

PeaceJoyLove:
One day, we will sha open eyes to other areas. Fintech fintech fintech.....until 9jas knock it down, we wont look into other tech areas. One person succeeds in an area, everyone does it.

I was actually looking for your comment on this thread.

africonn:


It was fun but don't re-invent the wheel, don't build in a competitive market with really significant value proposition.

Well, In what context are you actually talking about?

because I've seen start-up's here in Nigeria that re-invented the wheel over and over again and they're still profitable, e. g

Flutterwave, Paystack, Paga, Interswitch, AbegApp among others.

Jumia, Konga, Jiji, fragrance.ng, dealdey among others.

if you don't mind, can you explain further?

OP, sup with Africonn.

Can you share with us how the journey was like, building the software, marketing, your lessons and tips for people that want to create a social network.

How did you solve the chicken and egg problem.

Way to go Chidi

How does Religion stops Development?

You should've said extremism, because we have a lot of religious countries that have experienced immense development example UAE, Egypt, Israel.

And if you look at the reason for the extremism and fanaticism you will find out that it's because of a failed government, if the government is efficient enough who will care if a pastor have a Private Jet, who will care to juju(nize) his business partner, who will have time to terrorize, developed countries are running on this model, everyone will be just fine.

Africa didn't even solve hunger problem as it stands, why won't people be religion extremists afterall when they die they'll make it to heaven where there's surplus and unlimited food.

If you can't count on Government better count on God because atleast God will not fail you, that mentality.

fortunez1:
Which country be "Chezchia" abeg

it's the short name of Czech Republic.

I like the civil replies here, to each his own.

Tripssy:
Everything to frustrate the younger generation.. ama no worry za so chi uwarsu

haha

page 4k.
Keep it coming guys

DisGuy:


Interesting, please note this is not the official government scheme and the interest rates are exorbitant.

But let us know how you get on with them if you decide to apply.

I'm presently in Nigeria though, I'm just exploring options and measuring.

Uber11:
HELLO GUYS THIS IS THE PERSON THAT HAS BEEN DEALING WITH ME SINCE, THIS IS HIS NEW LINE 08084943817, Bro I swear to God if this stuff exceed Monday, I promise you blood!

https://www.nairaland.com/6412026/yusuf-adeiza-kabiru-serial-scam

this guy is a known fraudster here na, I read that thread some time back.

bump

DisGuy:


You said you're planning on using student loan and work.....student loan is not available to international students

check this out

https://www.futurefinance.com/blog/international-students-yes-you-can-apply-for-a-future-finance-student-loan/

VS code. Google Chrome.