Very interesting read! Especially when we are almost ready (as in next week) to launch our own crowdsourced travel advice platform on http://www.voyando.com.
Let me share what we found during our test period.
We have no 'application process' for experts (flightfox has) which makes the 'crowd' somewhat smaller. In our experience this removal of the process increases the competition and the chances of a better outcome. Take stackoverflow for example: limiting it only to top-programmers would harm the concept. (i see SO as a crowdsourced programming advice platform :-))
Our platform supports more than just flights. We have hotels and complete trips as well. The philosophy of our platform is more on the convenient side of things instead of the 'hacker' mentality that FF has (no pun intended, FF is great for HN crowd I think). Our service could be used by your mom and dad.
Given the fact that we have no selection procedure of experts, a broader range of travel types and aiming to be a convenience service, we are convinced, also looking at our test phase, that crowdsourcing IS the right way to go for us. But hey, only time will tell and maybe you'll see a blogpost about our pivot in 18 months as well!
Congrats to FF for this pivot and the really great and open blogpost.
Comments
Very interesting read! Especially when we are almost ready (as in next week) to launch our own crowdsourced travel advice platform on http://www.voyando.com.
Let me share what we found during our test period.
We have no 'application process' for experts (flightfox has) which makes the 'crowd' somewhat smaller. In our experience this removal of the process increases the competition and the chances of a better outcome. Take stackoverflow for example: limiting it only to top-programmers would harm the concept. (i see SO as a crowdsourced programming advice platform :-))
Our platform supports more than just flights. We have hotels and complete trips as well. The philosophy of our platform is more on the convenient side of things instead of the 'hacker' mentality that FF has (no pun intended, FF is great for HN crowd I think). Our service could be used by your mom and dad.
Given the fact that we have no selection procedure of experts, a broader range of travel types and aiming to be a convenience service, we are convinced, also looking at our test phase, that crowdsourcing IS the right way to go for us. But hey, only time will tell and maybe you'll see a blogpost about our pivot in 18 months as well!
Congrats to FF for this pivot and the really great and open blogpost.