Is everybody a collector? There is a new social networking site that’s banking on it.
Collectors’ Quest believes everybody collects; “Our world is full of stuff and human beings are wild and creative enough to find ways to collect most anything,” is how they put it.
“Collectors are passionate, enthusiastic, engaged but often disconnected” and their goal is to connect them.
Their tagline: “Where Hunters Gather”
Beside the usual social network components they are plugging CQTV “a broadband TV network that will open new avenues in interactivity, community, and commerce while redefining the business model for new digital programming.”
They have a seasoned top-tier management team featuring players with experience in the media/entertainment space, auctions and merchandising.
Think of it as Collecting 2.0 with a sprinkling of Shelfari, QVC, and E-Bay.
Potential challenges:
coaxing major collectors to take part
attracting a large enough audience to make the commerce elements viable
maintaining some sort of standard and integrity so as not be seen as a virtual flea market.
Their blog has 2 recent book related posts that are worth a read.
Dianne Dahlsad’s piece Call Me Bibliophile takes you along on her path to her realization that she is indeed a book collector and Collin David’s post I Desecrated a Book, But It Will Look Great in My Kitchen which tackles the perennial issue of cutting up or altering books. I must say I do agree with David and the altered books crowd on this one. There is a segment of printed books that are commercially worthless and if one can find something of value within the book or by altering it then hack away.
Worth keeping an eye on this one.
David Tetan at The Virtual Handshake Blog has a recap of the company’s pitch to some VC’s back in March.