How to Monetize Volunteer-Driven Platforms.

The article discusses the challenges faced by digital platforms that rely on volunteer contributions when introducing monetization strategies. It highlights cases where platforms like Reddit and Huffington Post faced backlash from volunteers due to perceived exploitation. The article offers lessons on how platforms can successfully commercialize without alienating their volunteer communities, emphasizing the importance of understanding volunteer-built systems, establishing governance structures early, and balancing the needs of volunteers with commercial goals. It also provides a case study of GitLab, a platform that successfully monetized while maintaining a strong relationship with its volunteer community. [Extracted from the article]