Populating a social network (non-adult)
 

On a new social networking website would you populate it with fake profiles, even if that community was tight knit and people are very aware of fake profiles?

I just started ballroombook.com, and am a little shy to populate it with 30,000 fake profiles, simply because people in the ballroom community are no dummies. They would sniff that out in a second and avoid the site. Yet at the same time the site will look empty and unattractive without people. Catch 22.

Naturally, on a dating site, I would populate it with 30,000 profiles in a heartbeat. But somehow I am shy to put fake profiles on a ballroom social network.

Gimme your thoughts.

Sounds like you know the answer ... respect your audience/customers.

Yep. You definitely answered your own question.

I think your target audience would appreciate and support a grass roots effort to create a new community. advertise or generate traffic and let them know its new. Offer points or discounts for referring friends, etc.

I have a similar social networking site in another niche that is starting grass roots. We now have almost 2000 very active members. I offer incentives to invite friends, etc and its starting to pay off.

either way it will suck, i say just create 30 million fakes.