I'm building a public discussion site (https://sqwok.im). So far I've learned a few things:
1) Most people will happily give you feedback. Some of it will be good, some of it you won't agree with, but keep an open mind, and always thank them.
2) I go out of my way to tell new users that I appreciate their taking the time to check out the site.
3) If you get the opportunity, engage with your early users and talk on a human level. Many times that simple act of connecting and having a conversation with another person will spark an increased interest in the success of the project and you'll find that people will reach out to you when _they_ have an idea or suggestion.
4) List your email and/or a phone number if applicable, and likewise if you're having a good conversation with someone, ask if they'd be ok with you emailing them with some follow up questions. I've had a few people whom I got to know a fair bit and have exchanged multiple emails.
5) Lastly, I've made one specific mistake that I'm learning from, which is to _not_ neglect your early users. That is, when people start to show interest in your product, make sure to show up each and every day to interact with them and keep the interest up. I've had a few periods where I went into a development k-hole for weeks on end and wasn't as active on the site, which led to a decrease in overall activity.
haha, well, that's how I can best describe when I get hyper-focused on something and tune everything else out... it can be unhealthy sometimes and throw my sleep schedule off.
clicked your prof, nice site! where do you surf in SF?
1) Most people will happily give you feedback. Some of it will be good, some of it you won't agree with, but keep an open mind, and always thank them.
2) I go out of my way to tell new users that I appreciate their taking the time to check out the site.
3) If you get the opportunity, engage with your early users and talk on a human level. Many times that simple act of connecting and having a conversation with another person will spark an increased interest in the success of the project and you'll find that people will reach out to you when _they_ have an idea or suggestion.
4) List your email and/or a phone number if applicable, and likewise if you're having a good conversation with someone, ask if they'd be ok with you emailing them with some follow up questions. I've had a few people whom I got to know a fair bit and have exchanged multiple emails.
5) Lastly, I've made one specific mistake that I'm learning from, which is to _not_ neglect your early users. That is, when people start to show interest in your product, make sure to show up each and every day to interact with them and keep the interest up. I've had a few periods where I went into a development k-hole for weeks on end and wasn't as active on the site, which led to a decrease in overall activity.
Good Luck!