Qualities of Successful ODIs
Overall
- The idea is very easy to get.
- The idea is very quick to get.
- The idea is easy to communicate to others.
- The idea is new.
- The idea is big.
- The idea is edgy.
- Give people their money back if the idea doesn't reach a pre-defined tipping point!
- Make it possible to contribute in very small ways and still receive some benefits.
- Give contributors recognition. Give special benefits to early contributor (e.g., the first 100 people to contribute will be acknowledged as founders on the web site). Firefox gives recognition via a roll call.
- Allow people to get recognition for the success of the overall project and the success of their contributions.
- Make the founders have enough skin in the game that they're willing to promote the site to others and even invest more time/money to protect their initial investment.