I would obviously pay them if/once the idea took off, but I don't have the capital to do so now.
It can be tricky to find developers to work on a project without upfront payment, but it's not impossible! One approach is to look for a co-founder or a partner who believes in your social media idea and is willing to invest time in exchange for equity or future compensation once the project takes off. You can also consider platforms like GitHub or LinkedIn to connect with developers passionate about social media projects.
I recommend checking out this article on how to create a social media website: https://www.cleveroad.com/blog/how-to-create-a-social-media-website/. It breaks down the key steps to get started and may offer you insights on how to approach the technical side of things. Keep in mind, though, you’ll want to ensure proper agreements are in place to protect your idea while collaborating.