Crowdsourcing (in gig economy): Obtaining services or input by soliciting contributions from a large group of people, typically online.
Crowdsourcing
A powerful strategy for obtaining services or input by leveraging the collective intelligence of large groups, typically through online platforms. This approach helps businesses tap into the skills and creativity of diverse talent, crucial in managing a gig economy.
What is Crowdsourcing
This term usually refers to soliciting contributions, services, or ideas from a vast pool of individuals, often through online platforms. For instance, a retail company may use crowdsourcing to design a new product by inviting customers to submit their ideas or vote on their favorites.
It’s popular across various industries, including marketing, where brands ask for user-generated content, like logos or taglines, which often leads to innovative solutions. It’s not just limited to creative tasks; crowdsourcing can also be utilized for data collection or problem-solving. For instance, a hospitality business might ask customers to share their experiences or suggest improvements, giving insights that wouldn’t emerge from traditional customer surveys. This approach harnesses the power of the community, creating a sense of ownership and engagement among participants.
A notable example would be the ride-sharing sector. Firms like Uber use crowdsourcing effectively to gather feedback on locations, service quality, and driver performance, all of which help refine their offerings based on real-time user input. However, it is essential to have a structured approach to managing these contributions to mitigate inconsistency and maintain quality standards.
Best practices
Engage your audience often and meaningfully. Show that their input matters, and create a system to acknowledge contributions. Clearly outline objectives and needed contributions to avoid confusion. Regularly assess and provide feedback on the quality of contributions to maintain high standards, while fostering a collaborative atmosphere.
Common pitfalls
Big mistake? Failing to clarify expectations can muddy contributions. Ignoring feedback from participants can kill motivation and dull creativity. A lack of follow-ups on inputs can lead to disengagement, causing valuable insights to slip away. Keep it engaging; otherwise, you risk losing the enthusiasm of your crowd.
How we can help
Zelos Team Management is a practical collaboration app built for scale that lets you crowdsource practically anything. It’s perfect for community engagement when you actually need to get things done. Distribute tasks, communicate live, and reach meaningful goals with a lot of people contributing a little.
Sign up for a free account on our website and see if it’s a fit for your crowdsourcing needs.