Adam has a very unique analysis and viewpoint on origins of successful social media sites The Social Media Chicken and Egg Problem. He demonstrates how previous websites have launched products, the Software lifecycle, the late 90s ad model, lists some potential scenarios for the modern social site.

He lists out four options ranging from:

1. Populate Static Data to Spark Discussion
2. Populate With Supplemental Content
3. Pay for Content
4. Invite-only Extended Beta Period

I left the following comment, suggestion to elevate the thought process of Web Strategy past content:

“Great Analysis. Another thought (which you sort of elude to in number 2) is to harness an existing social site or network and build yours as an overlay.

Perhaps the best approach is not to focus on ‘where’s the content’ but focus on people, users, and communities. When you look hard enough, the communities will appear and the content is just an ‘output’ from these communities –people first.”

Thanks Adam, this is going to yield some interesting dialogue.