A CANDID INTERVIEW WITH CRAIG FROM CRAIG'S LIST
By Richard Livsey
Craig Newmark began posting notices on the
Internet regarding events and happenings around
San Francisco. By word of mouth, hard work and
a little luck his modest list grew into a monster
with more than 4 billion page views a month. And
although Craig’s List has become super successful
and extremely profitable, Newmark’s plan to
“provide a trustworthy, efficient, relative non-
commercial place for folks to find all the basics in
their local area” has not changed.
Richard Livsey: Do you use Craig's List? If so, what
have you used it for lately?
Craig Newmark: I use it a little, but hesitate, since it
feels like a bit of a conflict of interest, even if it's not. I
sold my old car, and buy and sell small electronics.
RL: What's an average day for you?
CN: Get up. Customer service. Coffee. Read the paper.
Office. Customer service. Lunch. Customer service.
Sometimes I go out early evening. Customer service.
Simpsons, Colbert Report, Daily Show, West Wing.
first time, and they learn who you
are, what's their initial reaction? Do
they believe you?
CN: Usually they react with disbelief
and then surprise. Most people
react with humor, although when I
drop in on NYC based apartment
brokers, there's often panic.
RL: I heard that you are sort of a
workaholic, that you haven't taken a
vacation in years? Is that true?
CN: Not workaholic, just very
committed, and it's true.
RL: Alright then, what do you do for
fun?
CN: What's "fun"?
RL: What would you like to see
more of on the Internet?
CN: Better ways to figure out the
most trustworthy versions of big
news stories.
RL: One of my favorite sites is the
DrudgeReport.com. Matter of fact, I
have it set as my home page. Have
you ever checked out that site?
CN: I check it out a little, but prefer
the media gossip sites
RL: What are some of your favorite
websites? And why?
CN: A lot of sites both embody and
accelerate the democratization of
the 'net and our culture, like
instapundit.com, dailykos.com,
buzzmachine.com, and some are
fun, like theonion.com and
dilbert.com
RL: What do you hope to
accomplish in the next ten years
with Craig's List?
CN: More of the same, better
customer service by turning over
more control to the people who use
the site.
RL: It seems like everyone who's
anyone is coming out with a record
or reality show. Any plans?
CN: We've been approached a lot
regarding book or TV deals, not
interested anytime soon.
And don't forget to check out Craig's Blog
www.cnewmark.com
