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May 2, 2014

Yabbly – Direct Answers from Interesting People

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People learning from people. That’s the premise behind Yabbly, a web-based application that offers a way for everyday folk to get their burning questions answered by industry experts and other interesting people. Yabbly users conduct “social interviews” as a way to find the answers to virtually every question under the sun.

Maybe you’re in the process of remodeling a kitchen, and you need to decide between a gas or an electric range. You could read product manuals and reviews, or you could visit Yabbly and get information straight from the source. Find an expert on any topic—in this case, possibly an experienced home chef—and post your question using Yabbly’s Ask Me Anything interface. Yabbly will create a customized thread, and you’ll be notified when the expert replies with an answer to your question. You may also want to find a similar question that’s been asked before, and then “follow” that conversation. Upvoting other users’ questions increases the chances that a host will answer them, as well.

Although Yabbly could be used for any purpose, the discussion-based platform
platform really shines when it comes to helping people learn about obscure topics. Rather than wondering about what it’s like to be a reality show “villain,” for example, Yabbly users can find out the answer from someone who’s actually been through that situation before. The platform has also become a useful tool for entrepreneurs who are hoping to gain insight from successful founders and leaders in their industries.

Practical Uses:

  • Learn from the personal experiences of startup founders
  • Get etiquette questions answered by a professional wedding planner
  • Ask a chef which type of cooktop he prefers using
  • Find the best running shoes under $100

Insider Tips:

  • Anyone can become a host by posting an introduction
  • Yabbly offers free “concierge support” for hosts
  • The more people upvote your question, the more likely a host will answer it
  • Download the mobile app to use Yabbly on your smartphone or tablet
  • Hosts can pay to get extra exposure in Yabbly’s feed

What we liked:

  • People can enhance their personal brands by becoming Yabbly hosts
  • Anyone who can reply to an email can participate in a Yabbly interview
  • Yabbly’s format lends itself to people getting unfiltered answers
  • Users may get a chance to connect with true experts in many industries

What we didn’t like:

  • Whether Yabbly ultimately succeeds will depend on the quality of “hosts” it can attract

Alternatives:

Company Info:

  • Launched: November 2012 (Beta)
  • Privately Held
  • Headquarters: Seattle, Washington
  • Founded by: Tom Leung, Ian Shafer, and Steven Neuman
  • Web site: https://yabbly.com

Costs:

  • Free

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