Introduction
For the past several weeks I have sharing posts which have a focus around Web 2.0 best practices, this post will be me sharing an idea of a new social platform with me as the community manager/designer. Over the past several weeks we have been introduced to several key features that are needed to maintain the users base, whilst being able to provide relevant content that ensures the success of the service. I hope to explain how I would begin a service that creates value from user created content and the connections made between users. The service that I’m looking to start is called Build-Your-Body (BYB).
Build-Your-Body, the Social Platform
The BYB service is a cloud-based social platform available on all devices allowing users to connect, communicate and share information like medical articles or training spreadsheets, videos (form videos, meal preparation, etc), pictures (transformation, bar path) and generate questions that peers can comment on and provide feedback. The scope of the BYB is to provide beginners, intermediate and advanced lifters with a social platform that meets their expectations. By enabling the users to share content related to their goals or training, they can gather feedback from those in the community who are able to support them with advice and resources to perform better. The purpose of having this service available is to spread knowledge with support and accurate information, and by using this service all of the users can take time to better themselves and their training.
How would BYB ensure success and what are the expectations?
To ensure the success of BYB against competitors like Bodybuilding.com, a strategy must be implemented that places the benefit of using this service higher than it’s competitors. Users will be given tools that are actually wanted within the service such as Cloud storage for their information (examples: Squat video, Training Spreadsheet, Nutrition Plan) allowing them to share their resources with friends, groups or the newsfeed. By incorporating other social platform designs and techniques, the user will understand how to navigate the interface easily and then make connections without the strain of learning each step required. It is important that each user gets involved and feels like their identity is accepted, by including features to introduce new members, such as polls, basic tutorial videos and various chat rooms, users can quickly get connected with others. BYB will bring something new and exicting to the industry by establishing groups like: Bodybuilders, Strongman, Powerlifters, High Intensity Sports/Training, Nutritional Advice, and smaller niches within that such as Brisbane Runners, Sydney Strength Camp. These groups will allow a platform of individuals to learn, share and grow together through the use of the innovation in a Pull model [1] (user visit collection, where users are attracted to seeing a news feed). As the groups grow, more information between users is shared which leaves room for moderation and advanced users/lifters to provide well-written/published articles that can draw a lot of attention between multiple groups thus connecting the service together.
How can early adopters benefit?
An interesting feature similar to Dropbox would work well, where if you invite a friend you receive extra storage. Here are some simple tricks that could work for BYB:
- They can help shape the future platform by sharing ‘accurate’ and researched backed information as staples for communication regarding various topics
- More space in the users Cloud storage
- Ranking system (i.e. Noob, Beginner, Beta, Intermediate, Advanced, Alpha)
- As user begin to share, connect, get voted for and help other there are given points toward reaching new ranks
- Reward system for those who provide exceptional service to the community (Moderator privileges, Higher reaching posts)
Adding early adopter benefits is a huge to key to the success of the BYB, and will ensure that early members are happy with the current state of the service. Using polls, chats, groups or messages it will be easier to find better suited features for the public and perhaps invest into their ideas.
Conclusion
In summary, BYB would allow for multiple niches to be formed with the ulimate goal of connecting each other through fitness and health. Sharing information that is both accurate and tested is key to delivery benefit to those in the community, but the only value is through the users input and ability to maintain their efforts for a long period. Having some ‘addictive’ features (rankings or larger storage) in place will ensure long-term success and with appropriate moderation users can filter out the non-sense and focus on doing the right things towards their goals.
What type of group would you be looking for in an online fitness community? And would be willing to take advice from individuals or would you rather see someone in-person?
Jason Collier's Social Blogsphere 