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Would you pay $1 a month for Facebook?

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Re: Would you pay $1 a month for Facebook?

#21

Post by falsestprophet »

jonknee wrote: post #13
falsestprophet wrote: post #12

I would, the very day they announced the fee, build a free Facebook clone.

While there would obviously be a market for one, what would your business model be? A free Facebook has proven to be a great way to lose money.

Facebook is losing for several reasons. But, in the end it comes down to over-engineering and under-monetizing.

I don't think there is a good reason for Facebook to ignore traditional web advertising. Sure, they have the potential to do more interesting and lucrative things in the future. But, I think shunning banners now is being a little too stubborn.

I don't think that any of the new features Facebook has added over the last few years have added real value to my experience or the experience of most of the people I know. The profile, wall and photos make Facebook. I think that has always been enough. None of the other nonsense will get you laid anyway.

Re: Would you pay $1 a month for Facebook?

#25

Post by gojomo »

gojomo wrote: post #19
tokenadult wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do I get a cut of the revenue when my friends pay up to see the other half of my photo album?

That could work too! There are profitable businesses charging for photo hosting, so if Facebook -- the largest photo hosting site -- needs revenue to cover expenses, it would be a logical thing to charge for. Riffing further on your idea: you could get a discount if more of your friends are paid up, to emphasize the sharing-the-costs-among-all-who-benefit theme. If you're the only person in your clique who upgrades,…

Or further -- once either of you pay, you can each see all of each others' photos.

Nonpaying people only see half the photos of other nonpayers, but all the photos of other payers. This would be a little like the "at least one user has to be paid for an introduction" policy I've seen on dating sites.

Re: Would you pay $1 a month for Facebook?

#27

Post by tptacek »

catone wrote: post #8

Probably. $12/year to have a nice address book for keeping in touch with old high school/college buddies, and playing a couple of fun games (namely Prolific and Lexulous) seems worth it. Also, if enough people continued to use Facebook, it would be worth the $1/month to have access to the marketing opportunities that exist there.

That's my thought. I pay more than $12 a year on notebooks, and all I do is doodle in those.
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