Finding your space in the world's biggest library

The internet is the library of the world. It's difficult to think of something that isn't on the internet. Literally everything imaginable is online! We already know that some of the most ridiculous things out there are on the internet, things that no one (seemingly in their right mind) could think of, and we know that some of the most basic information is out there. 

"The Internet in One Picture"

On the internet, you can find the news and you can find commentary on the news and you can find fake news and you can find predictions about future news.

On the internet you can find websites that solve the problems on your math homework and you can maybe even find your math homework scanned onto some database, just in case you let your workbook at home. 

On the internet you can control your bank account, pay your mortgage, check your stocks, create a grocery list and even, supposedly, find the love of your life. 

It seems like there is no need for anyone to create a new outlet, since one probably exists for whatever it is you might be thinking of creating. Have no fear, if your idea is good enough and you have a plan to make it happen, Adam Westbrook thinks, and I agree, that there is a space for you in that online world. Sure, your startup might start as just a drop in a pond, but if it fulfills some of Westbrook's criteria, your startup could be a star. This is his checklist for creating a startup:

News start-up checklist

1. Is it a new idea?

2. Does it have a defined target audience?

3. Does it provide niche (i.e. hyperlocal) content?

4. Does it satisfy a desire that is not being fulfilled by someone else?

5. Or does it do something better (faster, cheaper, more effectively) than someone else?

6. Does it actually have income potential, or will it rely on funding?

7. Does it use the power of crowd-sourcing/community?

8. Would it be fulfilling for journalists to work for?

9. Does it publish/exist on more than one platform?

10. If it has content, is it sharable?

11. Does it require a lot of money to run?

12. Does it have boot-strapping potential?

13. Does it scale?

14. Does it fulfill a public service?

15. Is it a legally sound idea? What about copyright?

16. Would it appeal to venture capitalists, angel investors?

17. And…does it have a cool name?

    The internet has more than 1 billion websites.  That's one website for every 7 people. If there are that many websites, there can't possible be room for another, right? 

    
    
    Wrong. As we learned from our guest speaker, William Jacobson, founder of Legal Insurrection, many of the sites out there are actually dead; no one maintains or uses them anymore. 
    
    
    We also know, just through our research experience as students, that not every website is credible and satisfying to use. Not every website targets a specific niche, or does it well. This is where a startup has room to grow. 
    
    
    Not every website is set up to be financially sound. This is where one start up can be more successful than another. 
    
    
    Not every website has a cool name. This is where a startup has potential to drive an audience.
    
    
    Not every website is legal. This is where a startup has room to last.
    
    
    I could keep going, but I think you get the picture.
    
    
    When I was creating my idea for a startup, I wanted to create something that would have a national impact. I wanted to create a directory of sources... turns out that already exists. It's a website wiki page called SourceWatch and it's pretty successful. When I found out about this site, I was a little upset. I had my heart set on creating the directory the way I wanted to, but I still can.
    
    
    There are niches not met by SoureWatch. It's kind of difficult to find a specific source and the page isn't very appealing, at least to me. Furthermore, it is on a national spectrum, so someone from NYC might have to go through a bunch of pages to find the source they're looking for. I can find a niche and create a local version of source watch, which might be more impactful to the community.
    
    
    Impact. That's what's important and that's why I wanted to be a journalist; to make an impact and bring about change. If I can make a difference, even if it's a tiny one, my startup will have served a purpose.