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We need a startup to fix online dating

techbyproducts.com

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Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#2

Post by thisjustcamein »

I'm pretty familiar with the online dating industry both through business and my own personal involvement. While I agree with the issues that you raise (POF, for instance, has 6.6 guys per girls the last time I checked 6 years ago), I don't see how a new business model will really address this. Attractive women are being wooed all the time and that's not going to change.

I think an online speed dating service for business professionals, however, would do well. I believe that there are services like this out there but none of them have achieved a true following I would argue.

Imagine logging onto a site where with use of full audio and video you meet 10 eligible bachelors or bachelorettes over the course of 30 mins.

Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#3

Post by fatalerrorx3 »

thisjustcamein wrote: post #2

I'm pretty familiar with the online dating industry both through business and my own personal involvement. While I agree with the issues that you raise (POF, for instance, has 6.6 guys per girls the last time I checked 6 years ago), I don't see how a new business model will really address this. Attractive women are being wooed all the time and that's not going to change. I think an online speed dating service for bus…

You could limit who can contact each user based on the requirement of filling out a "dating checklist" this means that women won't get inundated with messages and will actually respond to those who fit her requirements.

Hey, there's your startup...video speed dating! lol

Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#4

Post by thisjustcamein »

fatalerrorx3 wrote: post #3
thisjustcamein wrote: post #2

I'm pretty familiar with the online dating industry both through business and my own personal involvement. While I agree with the issues that you raise (POF, for instance, has 6.6 guys per girls the last time I checked 6 years ago), I don't see how a new business model will really address this. Attractive women are being wooed all the time and that's not going to change. I think an online speed dating service for bus…

You could limit who can contact each user based on the requirement of filling out a "dating checklist" this means that women won't get inundated with messages and will actually respond to those who fit her requirements. Hey, there's your startup...video speed dating! lol

But people already have access to these filters - I've already seen them on POF, for instance.

eHarmony is on the other extreme end where their checklist is 250 questions and the process is very tightly controlled!

Speaking of speed dating, I did actually give this a shout a few years ago but couldn't get it off the ground. Important lesson: don't go into business with friends unless you have absolutely complementary skills.

Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#5

Post by fatalerrorx3 »

fatalerrorx3 wrote: post #3
thisjustcamein wrote: post #2

I'm pretty familiar with the online dating industry both through business and my own personal involvement. While I agree with the issues that you raise (POF, for instance, has 6.6 guys per girls the last time I checked 6 years ago), I don't see how a new business model will really address this. Attractive women are being wooed all the time and that's not going to change. I think an online speed dating service for bus…

You could limit who can contact each user based on the requirement of filling out a "dating checklist" this means that women won't get inundated with messages and will actually respond to those who fit her requirements. Hey, there's your startup...video speed dating! lol

POF doesn't make it a requirement, probably because it would create friction in the signup process. eHarmony on the other hand, that's too many questions and no one is going to fill that damn thing out.

Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#7

Post by lanelio »

No amount of Ruby on Rails, agile standups, or awesome design is going to help make that unique special connection between two people. I think if you're looking systematically for the love of your life, you're doing it very wrong. Let it just happen.

Re: We need a startup to fix online dating

#9

Post by HeyImAlex »

Just limit the number of first contact outbound messages a user can send per day to something ridiculous(like one). Response rates on free sites are abysmally low because its not hard to write a generic message and send it out to every person you see, poisoning the well for every poor guy writing a well thought out message and waiting patiently at his inbox.
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