LoudClick: Sites Built Like Community Barnraisings

So, part of the lore of Americana is the idea that when our neighbors needed something, we all pitched in and made it happen for them. A community can build and raise a barn in a couple of days, where a farmer alone might have to work for months to get it up.

That wonderful community spirit is the idea behind LoudClick, a service that instantly intrigued me and scared the bejeezus out of me as a Boomer that grew up in a world of one way branding.



But I got over my fear because LoudClick harnesses the passions of web users in the service of site building, content, and commerce. And the risk of brand control is mitigated by an approval process.

It works like this: they offer a free platform that you join. You build the beginning of your site, and invite other LoudClick users to help improve your site by adding content, features etc. Your committed users submit their ideas, you review them, and then consent to have your content supplemented by those passion players.

While the idea of adding content to a site is old hat -- see FaceBook, MySpace, and and and, the difference that LoudClick offers is for members to create richer, more dynamic experiences quickly and easily. And you can have it on your site rather than a social net.

Check them out
Here's their one minute pitch form TechCrunch.



Thanks for reading, and don't forget to write.