There were people who joined Pinboard who told me they never would have considered using the site had it been free.

The fact that there was an actual funding model (however offbeat) helped convince them that the site was a serious effort.

Try building something which provides value even if you're the only person using it. (I have always admired Delicious for this. If every other person on it died tomorrow it would still be an excellent bookmark manager.) Then you don't need "traction", you just need more customers tomorrow than you have today. Repeat times a few hundred.

Agreed. Plus, if you build something that you would still use even if no one else did, you're guaranteeing that at least one person wants to use what you're making. Doing otherwise is surprisingly common, judging by some of the products out there.

The reality, of course, is that you aren't a unique snowflake; lots of other people are like you, and if you really like a product, chances are someone else will too.

It wouldn't be the easiest thing in the world, but like anything, you start with a niche userbase.

Please do.

create a paid social news site like described above?

Yes, I'd sign up almost immediately.

Try MetaFilter