Carving a niche

There is a rash of social networks out there, each one focusing on some niche. Just came across this site called Tipsbase, which is about sharing tips and tricks on a wide variety of topics. Another site, going by the nicely coined Telonu (Tel-on-u) is a site that basically helps you to 'rave, rant and rate' your workplace. The theme is centered around generating reviews for prospective applicants and a place for co-workers to gossip annonymously. And then there are other apps building around existing social networks, like the recent Twitority and Twithority , which are solutions around the micro-blogging site Twitter. It really is wonderful to have so many social networking sites and apps around, each focused on a small niche. After all, that is what entrepreneurship is about, isn't it? Identify a space, focus on it, and come up with a usable solution. Now that seems rather obvious. Nothing new about it. What got me thinking was that it is now that we are witnessing an almost exponential growth in these kind of apps. Orkut started the trend with social networking. Then came along the hugely popular Facebook - which started as social networking for college grads, and there is MySpace to add to the party as well. In video sharing, too, it was started by YouTube, and now there are Hulu, Seesmic and Vimeo (the list is not exhaustive, by any means) that allow you to share videos. When I think about these sites, it all seems so simple. So dead simple. So obvious. And yet, only a few bright minds could actually see the voids, the holes in the wall, so to say, and get the proper brick-masons together. It's all about identifying the niche, however small. And siezing the opportunity. Another thing that struck me was that social networks are spawning to fill in a need. That is different from forming a group or community within an existing social network. What's the difference? Well, a dedicated site you can go to, a one-stop-shop, if you will. In some way, this Web2.0 revolution is similar to the dotcom boom of the 90s. So will there be a bust as well? Most definitely. Sites can be hugely popular, but that does not necessarily translate into revenue. Sites like Facebook, YouTube are grappling precisely this issue. Ditto with Twitter. Of course, advertising constitutes a big part of the revenue model, but especially in times like these, advertising budgets of companies would dip as well. Well, but one thing is sure. Make hay while the sun shines, as they say. When the rains come, dive for cover. And that's where the real test lies. 

As I was mulling over these thoughts in the shower, a few others were also going through my mind. About a niche, and seeing the opportunity. Mind you, these are only thoughts, I'd not call them any ingenious ideas - or even ideas. How about a social network for bachelors? Being in Bangalore, there are a lot of bachelors. Every year thousands of fresh graduates land in the IT city to begin their professional careers - in the IT/BPO and tech sectors. Most of them are graduates. How about a social network to help them? Most basic needs - accomodation and food. There are a lot of PGs and rental houses in Bangalore. But if you've been through a house-hunt, you'll know that it's a harrowing time. Especially hunting for PGs. And then there's the question of sharing your apartment. A question on the minds of a lot of guys who come alone to the city is about finding a room-mate, and of course a room. And there're a lot of guys who at any point of time are looking for a room-mate to share an apartment with. You know, someone's getting married, someone's shifting to new place to be closer to the place of work (or their girlfriend!). I've myself faced this issue, when my roommate got married. And if you are like me, you'd prefer to have someone you know - or someone your friend knows really well - as a roommate rather than a totally unknown person. (As an aside, though, I did not know Kaustubh when we shifted in together along with Parin - whom I knew from my undergrad days - but that's another thing.) So how about a site that pairs people? And creates an easily browsable, and most importantly, reviewed by people you know - or people your people know - database of houses. You want to look for a house, your colleague's cousin may be looking for someone to share his apartment with. Bingo! I know that sites like Sulekha.com do exist. But they are a general classified site. Not specific to this particular issue. 

Another good thing for bachelors would be about messes, lunch homes, tiffin services. Now there are message boards for that. But a person who's totally new to the city does not have much chance of being on those message boards. He could, however, join the network before he comes to the city, and get some pretty handy tips. Speaking of tips, he could even get tips on where he could search for accomodation. Browsable by rent, locality, and proximity to the main work-hubs (Electronic City, Bagmane Tech Park, or ITPL). Well, as I said, it's just a thought. May be some one has already thought about it, and done it. But if not, any takers for this one?