When people talk about seeding an online community, they often talk about content. As in, “if we post X pieces of content, then people will reply to that content.” One person, or a few people, post a bunch of content then wonder why no one replies.

This is backwards.

Seeding isn’t about content. You aren’t seeding content to encourage people to engage and stick around. You’re seeding people (sounds kind of like a horror movie).

Optimal seeding is when you bring a good selection of quality people on board. When a potential member visits your community for the first time, you want them to see quality interaction between members who represent what your community can be. Not simply “content,” but people.

You can have all of the content you want, but if you don’t have the people, all you’re left with is articles waiting for the first comment.