Social media platforms such as Hunch, Foursquare, Reddit, and Digg have all experienced rapid growth, going from 1 to 100,000 users in a short period. Key to their success is the creation of unique, quality content that is both engaging and shareable. Offering a distinct service or product that isn’t readily available elsewhere also plays a significant role.

The importance of a user-friendly design cannot be overstated. It should be intuitive, easy to navigate, and appealing to the eye. Furthermore, it’s crucial to focus on building a strong, dedicated user base initially rather than trying to attract mass audiences from the start.

Once a solid foundation of active users is established, leveraging their networks can help to drive growth. Encouraging users to invite friends, share content, or connect via other social platforms can be effective strategies.

In addition, strategic partnerships and collaborations can provide exposure to new audiences. For example, Foursquare’s partnership with The New York Times allowed them to tap into the newspaper’s large reader base.

Finally, it’s essential to continually monitor user behaviour, feedback, and data to make necessary adjustments and improvements. This ensures the platform remains relevant, engaging, and user-friendly, thereby fostering user loyalty and promoting continued growth.

Go to source article: http://www.quora.com/Startup-Traction/How-do-social-sites-e-g-Hunch-Foursquare-Reddit-Digg-go-from-1-to-100K-users