Comments on: Newspepper - soft launch for citizen journalism site

By: wo kann man gratis filme runterladen?

wo kann man gratis filme runterladen? — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 11:17:35 +0000

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By: Deborah Bonello

Deborah Bonello — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 14:37:10 +0000

This looks really interesting, although there do seem to be new ‘citizen’ journalism networks sprouting up everyday. I disagree with Hermione that there was nowhere to put her porfolio though - start a blog, link to Flickr for your pictures and Blip to your films (or numerous other photo and hosting sites and you’re set to go).

As a loan journalist and blogger out in Mexico, I rack my brains every day trying to find a financial model that doesn’t require pitching to foreign bureaus and UK newspapers - trouble is that running a one man multi-media show doesn’t leave much time for drafting funding documents and the London networking scene is a long way from downtown Mexico City.

I do think it helps to know people, but equally this sounds like a good idea. What I will be waiting to see is the quality of the work. Yes every one has a camera on their phone these days and a phrasebook in their pocket, and I know journalism is not the more popular of professions, but it does take skill to witness, process and report. Will their journos be trained?

By: John

John — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:55:47 +0000

Either way it looks interesting. Clearly if your starting in business and you have a network you are going to use it. Is it fair? Perhaps not, but when has business always been about fairness. Good luck to Newspepper.

By: Ewan

Ewan — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 07:15:07 +0000

Good luck Hermione!

By: Robert Loch

Robert Loch — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 17:54:00 +0000

Sasha,

A lot of effort has gone into re-building the London internet startup community. When I started doing events the community was close to non-existent.

The community is now in far better shape. Michael Smith has contributed greatly through Second Chance Tuesday and is also now supporting by making a few investments. Paul Walsh has also helped to build the community through his BIMA events. I hosted over 50 dinners last year. All 3 of us are trying to support the sector and through our events we are doing it in a very inclusive way. Our actions do not support the idea that we have created a clique.

I also think that you misunderstand the structure of the scene. There isn’t an in crowd (many would say that knowing myself or Paul Carr is a hindrance to success, but that’s another story). There are lots of groups and they overlap. I personally believe that in order to thrive and attract talent that sectors need a strong work scene (which I support through Internet People) and a strong social scene (which I support by hosting social events).

Hermione has been very proactive at networking over the last 8 month. Yes it is advantageous that her brother introduced her to people like myself (that was over 3 years ago), but after that all her progress has been on her own back. She has reported on events, built relationships and worked very hard. She should be congratulated for showing initiative.

Jamie started Glasses Direct using his student loan, something that is available to everyone, and did an exceptional job building up a business from there. He raised money based on the traction that he achieved and his forward plan. He also had the help of First Capital who they hired to run the funding process. His funding has nothing to do with who he knew and all to do with what he had achieved.

Last year, Robin and Saul Klein were the most active and effective force in the UK internet sector. Your comment regarding Saul is very miss informed. His personal track record speaks for itself.

At the time that they raised funding, WAYN didn’t have a high profile non-exec supporting them. They were profitable and had over 5 million members. They met DFJ at one of my events on my suggestion. Again they raised money based on what they had achieved, not who they knew.

The VC’s who invest in the UK internet sector are very accessible and attend events regularly. You don’t need to be part of any group to reach them.

Sasha, you’ve clearly got a beef, but the basis of that beef is inaccurate.

By: Dan Field

Dan Field — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:43:32 +0000

@Sasha - I do agree to some elements of what you are saying… there is a core group of people in the UK Internet startup industry, who all seem to be friends and the majority are based in London. You could call this a clique or you could look at it as the UK is a pretty small country for Internet startups and of course the top people are going to know each other.

With regard to the comment “its who you know…” then yes, this is always going to play a very big part in any business. You can have the best product in the world but if you can’t get it out to market or in front of the right people who can help you get it to market then its worthless. There is nothing wrong with this, its normal part of business.

Big named non-exec’s are not just there to look pretty… they serve are real purpose and a big part of that is their network and connections.

Their is a downside to having big names though… some people may think that is the only reason your business idea is a success.

And yes… I wish I had access to some of these people when I started by first business, but I didn’t and it was very hard work but we are now growing very well. I say good luck to any startup, whether funded, connected or not!

By: Shafqat

Shafqat — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:48:51 +0000

@Sasha - I don’t think GlassesDirect should be put into the same category. Despite the fact the business is pretty boring, they sell a product for more than it costs them to make, and then do this millions of times a year. Revenue and profits (fairly novel concepts!) can’t really be argued with, especially in today’s web 2.0 world. I would have invested in them.

By: Anton Mannering

Anton Mannering — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 02:04:56 +0000

I kind of like the idea but I’ll reserve judgment til I see the website.
At the moment the idea, if I get it right, is citizen journalism. That seems just to be seesmic/Qik with a specific purpose. I’d go as far as to say that this is potentially just a channel in a service like seesmic.
I’d love to know what will make this a business as opposed to just a feature. I’m not sure the scope (ok I mean motivation) is there among enough citizens to make this viable.
But then I don’t know what’s in the business model regarding revenue sharing or anything or what’ll be in the final package of the service itself so I’ll wait eagerly for that.

By: Robin Blandford

Robin Blandford — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:27:54 +0000

It will be interesting to see how it performs against this offering:

http://www.reuters.com/youwitness/

I suspect it will gain a much tighter community based around Hermonie than a corporate site could attract - but I don’t think you’ll find big “happen across” live news/incidents will see much airtime. e.g. BBC getting photos texted to them from within a derailed train etc.

Go for it anyway, it’s great to see - I enjoy the style of the clips there already.

By: Mike Butcher

Mike Butcher — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 01:00:13 +0000

@Sasha - “get a named non-exec board who can tap their network to get you the money”. I may be being thick here but last time I looked that was a legitimate business practice, and quite a smart one at that. Apparently a lot of people in business happen to be friends and know each-other. You’re implying this is some sort of crime, which is odd. Yes, the business idea may be crap and founded on pure good will, but then that’s their lookout, no? Good luck to outfits like Huddle who may well not even have known their investors prior to the investment, but I don’t see it as a crime to be friends with people on your board. Your argument is nonsensical. Canny startups need all the tricks they can muster.