Have a goal in mind. A social network is a tool to an end. What is the end?
I have found several use cases all trying to go on at the same time.
1. People with important group communications needing a large audience; i.e. scientists sharing research, organizations needing to contact people, special interest groups like Ham Radio (cuz they can't broadcast on their gear), photographers, musicians and so on.
2. Hot news feeds. These were added not to share news, but to lock people in with echo chamber news.
3. People simply wanting to communicate privately with friends and family and so on.
4. Local information of interest and need. Some is quite urgent, as in evacuation alerts; Some is important, like road closures and events, and some is caustic bullshit as in community gossip and flame wars. And LOCAL advertising can actually be useful and not just the "sports talk radio" carpet-bombing of tax attorneys, divorce lawyers, dick stiffeners, and house flippers.
5. Politics. I find that this is best in affinity groups that are heavily moderated. Trolls and bots gonna troll.
6. Probably more.
The more you address, the more diluted the product.
I have found several use cases all trying to go on at the same time.
1. People with important group communications needing a large audience; i.e. scientists sharing research, organizations needing to contact people, special interest groups like Ham Radio (cuz they can't broadcast on their gear), photographers, musicians and so on.
2. Hot news feeds. These were added not to share news, but to lock people in with echo chamber news.
3. People simply wanting to communicate privately with friends and family and so on.
4. Local information of interest and need. Some is quite urgent, as in evacuation alerts; Some is important, like road closures and events, and some is caustic bullshit as in community gossip and flame wars. And LOCAL advertising can actually be useful and not just the "sports talk radio" carpet-bombing of tax attorneys, divorce lawyers, dick stiffeners, and house flippers.
5. Politics. I find that this is best in affinity groups that are heavily moderated. Trolls and bots gonna troll.
6. Probably more.
The more you address, the more diluted the product.
And the money model?