Just received an email from Tim Hood about a new website he’s launched called Yoosk. In his own words: “It’s a citizen media site and social network where members ask questions of public figures. Users also vote on other people’s questions which are ranked, Digg style, according to popularity. We’ll put these questions to the famous people concerned and we are hoping that as membership grows, so will the pressure and incentive to answer.
“I’m pretty sure you’ll understand the concept straight away, as well as its applicability to PR and the challenges we face in getting famous people to answer the questions that site members put to them (we are recruiting a journalist/PR person to help with this).”
Interesting.
Stephen is a communications consultant based out of the UK. You can connect with him on Twitter or check out his LinkedIn profile. | Email Stephen
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Chip Spearman
I really think this is a good idea in the age we’re living in where fewer people seem to have answers they are looking for. Bringing people together by way of online community allows people to bounce ideas and concerns off of each other. Not only will good questions arise that need to answered, but the number of people, hopefully, will demand that they be answered.
I think as a side effect, the members will also help to answer each other’s questions as well, thus getting to the bottom of what really needs to be addressed by public figures. No run around, just people finding out what needs to be found out.
I look forward to watching this site.
Kendel White
I can’t wait for this site to be up and running. In today’s world where so many public figures are micromanaged, its great to have a place where everyday people can ask questions that are important to them.
This site can also serve as a good PR tool for the public figure as well by showing that they are accessible to the public. The site will also help public figures utilize the power of social media.
I look forward to watching this site grow.
Sarah Wurrey
Brilliant idea. Too often today the media goes soft on public figures, refraining from tough questioning because of a fear of lost access. Hopefully this site will take hold, I really like the spirit behind it.
Tim Hood
Chip, Kendal and Sarah
Thanks for your kind comments on the Yoosk. It’ll take time to grow momentum and reach a tipping point but I’m sure we´ll get there.
We feel questions are often more thought provoking than assertions and strident opinions. Actually browsing the questions put to public figures is often more enlightening somehow than reading people´s opinions about them.
Before we formally launch, we plan to make a lot more of the ‘rate this answer’ feature, linking to interviews with public figures on major press sites and asking users to rate their integrity, honesty, performance and intentions based on what they have said, as well as to ask follow up questions. We are also thinking of offering visitors the ability to vote for questions on the iste without joining.
Any feedback on how we can improve the site gratefully received. Pleae contact me – timhood at yoosk dot co dot uk
Thanks again