VentureBeat - Latest Comments in Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

iagodeotto — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 22:27:20 -0000

Viral commissions derived from paid member social network sites, a so-called super word-of-mouth scenario, is exploding onto the cyber scene at this very moment with social networking for Internet marketers. The promise this holds forth for those somewhat unfamiliar with the effort involved in making money via online marketing tactics and strategies as well as those experienced in the game is drawing a large crowd as a mixture of both groups, the former probably being the larger percentage of members. This is very new and very exciting. But still, it consists of a lot of work, and those with more online marketing know-how will succeed to a larger degree than those still slipping and sliding up and down the learning curve.

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Guest — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 01:08:58 -0000

British law student sues Abercrombie-Fitch for disability discrimination.
http://www.abercrombieshop.us

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

AndyBG — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 14:06:32 -0000

While it's free to use it attracts millions, Social Networks are built on a model that cannot accommodate such a paradym shift to provide lucrative marketing, Banner ads etc. proved that 10years ago; sheer numbers don't turn profits. Privacy/copyright/human rights issues will stop any alteration to the basic 'conditions of use' so it is doomed to failure just like the 'easy money' dot com boom of the '90's. Enjoy it while it lasts until the backers pull the dollars.

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Mike_at_Wanna_Develop_COM — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 19:48:43 -0000

Agree. There are just too many networks... Not to say they are all worthless, but each should deploy their own strategies in order to monetize the traffic. There is no "standard" in this business. It is still evolving... Things are still much up in the air as far as performance and long term results go.

Best,
Mike

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Cristiano Nogueira — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:43:41 -0000

Consider Tubespree's video monetization platform... it pays the creator of the "SpreeVideo", as well as the distributor... quick sign up and lots of affiliate products to promote.

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Ian Hendry — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 11:57:22 -0000

I think there is more scope to advertise to business audiences engaged in social networking on niche sites, it isn't the way forward.

My view is that if there is quality and value in what you offer, then people will pay a premium for it. I use many Web 2.0 sites and most of those I could live without. With WeCanDo.BIZ we are aiming to make business owner/managers feel it is a key part of their marketing and something they could not do without. We want them to see what they get from the site, sales leads and business referrals, and be able to easily place a value on that. As long as we are charging less than that perceived value and delivering consistenly then we have a valid revenue model.

That may not work for all social networks, but perhaps it will make them wonder what beyond fad is keeping them being used.

Ian Hendry
CEO, WeCanDo.BIZ
http://www.wecando.biz

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Engago team — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 10:48:01 -0000

The best business models on the Internet are commission based.
Social media doesn't involve payments, thus no commission.
If people would pay to get into contact with others, then a commission could be charged. However nobody will pay if your contacts are not high value people.

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

william — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 01:51:02 -0000

Great Article
We have built a Social Network that generates revenue for members through "Conversations" that members have with one another.
Many of the service on adelph.us were built around concepts from the" Clue Train Manifesto" as well as Marshall McLuhan "The medium is the message"

We understand that the value is in members "Conversations" with one another and that advertisements are an interruption.

Some things about www.adelph.us

1. You are not a share cropper- Break the chains
2. Be a rebel
3. Change the game
4. Believe in the possibilities
5. Do good

At adelph.us "Open" means :

1. Whenever possible using Open Source applications
2. Whenever possible offering the hosted use of applications free of charge to members
3. Always writing code using existing Open Source standards that are not proprietary or owned by a company ie (Face Book and the rest)
4. Empowering the community (Individuals, Groups, Non Profits, and Companies) with tools that help them to save time and resources
5. Evening the playing field
6. Giving back to the community
7. Giving back to Open Source
8. You control all access of your account
9. You control all access to your conte

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

hypermark — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 21:36:58 -0000

Some further fodder for this topic in a post I wrote called:

Why Social Nets Struggle to get Advertisers to "Show Me the Money"
http://thenetworkgarden.com...

Here is an excerpt:
Bottom line: you can not PUSH ads at this audience. What you need to do is give them reasons and contextually clear paths to engage with a brand and its products/services. Whether that means giving consumers the tools to pick the types of products/services they want on their pages, incenting them to place them on their pages (or share with friends), giving them clear action paths to GRAB BROCHURE, GET COUPON or REQUEST INFO or other methods, it is more of an opt-in, or consumer PULL, type of model than a push based one. Until that model starts to take hold, lots of confusion, waste-age of eyeballs and fiscal pain lie ahead.

Check it out if interested.

Mark

Re: Monetizing social networks: The good, bad and ugly

Matt McAllister — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 20:32:37 -0000

Good article, thanks Barak! Social network monetization is certainly still in the early stages, but there is one solution you did not mention that is quickly gaining traction: virtual currency monetization. You say "On social networks, people are primarily concerned with communicating with their friends, not looking to buy items or services," but the whole idea behind virtual currency is that people ARE willing to buy items or services that contribute to their communications with friends.

http://myofferpal.wordpress...