Edopter.com - Social Trendcasting

For a virtual snapshot of the next big thing, head to edopter. The website encourages early adopters (or anyone that has stumbled upon something worth sharing) to nominate the new trends in music, fashion, travel locations, restaurants, or anything else. The website compiles information from everyone that agrees with the potential greatness for a given thing, and acts as a stock market ticker for the trend. Trends that gain a large following get more points (popularity is measured by edopter members who support the trend, as well as internet buzz), and individuals that select and follow the most popular trends get points that can be redeemed for prizes.

“Edopter combines early adopter insight and worldwide buzz to tap into the next big thing. Create and follow trends, share and discuss them - then watch as they spread across the world. Who tells the world what‘s next? You do.”

Edopter is a win-win for both consumers and marketers. Consumers, always in search of new, great things, gain access to a grass-roots database of new people, places, and things. They are also encouraged to share new things to win “exclusive gear and opportunities.” Marketers get valuable demographic information (the site provides the age range, sex, and general location of the average supporter) and data about what is hot, now.

How do you keep the site from becoming a PR platform for new products?