Build a more human internet, w/Caterina Fake (Etsy, Kickstarter, Flickr, "Should This Exist?")

Foundations

Caterina Fake emphasizes the importance of foundational values in creating online communities. She believes that the initial tone and culture set by founders are crucial, as they shape future interactions and community norms. Reid Hoffman agrees, noting that the tone established from the beginning will persist as the community grows.

Every founder of an online community has a responsibility to shape the culture from day one, because the tone you set is the tone you're going to keep.

--- Reid Hoffman

This principle applies not only to social media but to all online platforms, where early interactions can determine long-term success 1 2 3.

   

Engagement

Early interactions and cultural norms are vital in fostering a positive community environment. Caterina Fake highlights the role of timing and personal engagement in the success of platforms like Flickr and Etsy. She personally greeted new users, setting a precedent for community interaction that scaled as the platform grew.

If you do that and you do it well, it will carry through, and then 500 people will be behaving the same way, and then 5000 people will be behaving that same way.

--- Caterina Fake

This approach not only helped build a strong community but also attracted investments in other community-driven platforms like Kickstarter 4 5 6.