Online Dating and Social Networking Industry Forums

Anonymous · Guest

We are in need of online marketing/promotions for our dating/social networking site. www.Ell-asia.com went online June 2006. We now have over 19,000 registered members. The split in profiles is about 11,000 female and 8,000 male. Since June last year we have averaged 60 registered members per day. We have reached the point in the development of the site that we must charge a nominal monthly fee of $9.95 USD to the male members. It remains free for everyone to register their profile and to browse all the members profiles. The fee is for the communicating with the other members. It's a good clean site but its not "known" yet. What's the best way we can be known to the Dating/Social Networking world?
The overall site concept continues to develop and is currently about 3% developed.

paccamon · Joined: 18 Jul 2007 Posts: 1

Hello,
I'm a student at The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania doing research on online dating sites. Specifically, I'm looking at the best marketing tactics for use in the start-up stage. If anyone can answer any of the following questions, I'd really appreciate it.
*Are there any tactics that every start-up dating site must use (besides SEM)?
*Is there a difference in tactics for paid vs. free dating sites? Can a dating site even start off as a paid site or does it need to begin free in order to build a user base?
Thank you,
Sara
_________________
Sara Paccamonti
Wharton School of Business
Class of 2009

felicia · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Canada

I do not believe there is are any major tactics on what form of advertisement that should be used by paid and none paid dating sites. As both of them gears toward getting customers. However, I believe that honesty in any advertisement is the best tactics that you can us.
_________________
http://www.yourchristianzone.com

yorktown · Site Admin Joined: 16 Jun 2004 Posts: 311

I spoke with Sara and she is 'for real'

She is really a college student at Wharton doing summer research on the topic of online personals and advertising.

Anyone that can help here with some advice I think would help her a long way.

Marc Lesnick
Conference Organizer
Internet Dating Conference

felicia · Joined: 29 Jul 2007 Posts: 2 Location: Canada

What kind of research is she doing and what kind of help does she want.

Be a little bit specific
_________________
http://www.yourchristianzone.com

JuliaDorofeeva · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Russia

Hello everyone!

There are some of the suggestions for Sarah upon her questions:

*Are there any tactics that every start-up dating site must use (besides SEM)?
I should say that the startup page should have main links of a site- main attraction (special features, latest uploads, latest news, latest everything), of course login section and search option so that a user goes inside anyways and stays there.

*Is there a difference in tactics for paid vs. free dating sites?
Yes for me there is. In Paid sites Administrators usually pay attention to the number and quality of features they can offer to Paid User groups. These opportunities are designed to make users want to upgrade membership to get more advantages in dating.

Free sites are more about simplicity and basic features. They are designed to involve more users and grow the database in a short period of time to earn on banner ads and other paid advertising. The other source of earnings at free sites is selling some co-related goods to the members or providing small services.

*Can a dating site even start off as a paid site or does it need to begin free in order to build a user base?
It depends. Some people start their site as free to build the database and when its valuable and the users are active they add some pricing for services and site communication options.

Others start as Paid at once to position the site as unique and worth being at. The community is perceived as "closed" or "private" and it's a pleasure to be there- meaning it's ok to pay for it.

Hope I have managed to help you with my suggestions.
_________________
Julia Dorofeeva
Dating Pro Online Dating Software
http://www.datingpro.com

joetracy · Joined: 25 Feb 2006 Posts: 7 Location: Wilsonville, Oregon

Online Dating Magazine estimates that 99% of new online dating services will fail. We see anywhere from 2-8 new online dating services launching every single day. Some of those are serious efforts and some are from people who purchased a template off of eBay and think they'll be the next Match.com simply by uploading the template.

Most important in starting a new online dating venture is members. Without members, you will never succeed. To that end, we suggest starting local. Don't try to take on the whole world first - focus on your local area. Get the local media involved in promoting it, set up some local events, take out ads in your local newspaper and on your local radio stations.. Consider some local Cable TV ads, which are usually cheaper than most people think.

The local connection is vital because that allows you to build a successful venture then expand it out. Maybe your next step is to promote your local state or province, etc.. By building an active database of local users first, you give yourself an advantage going forward.

Yes, web marketing and search engine optimization are important, but not when you don't have a userbase. Those efforts should be secondary to your local efforts and local expansion.

Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg when starting a new dating service...

Cheers,

Joe Tracy, Publisher
Online Dating Magazine
Online Dating Industry Journal

Columnist,
Inside the Online Dating Industry

JuliaDorofeeva · Joined: 19 Feb 2007 Posts: 14 Location: Russia

Dear Joe,

You're right. Niche Dating Sites may be a very stable and active basis for a successful Site.

That's why many people start Niche dating or social networking sites. I would also add that when you really plan to do it you should study all pequilarities of your community and get in touch with all media you can to cover your comunity and attract as many people as you can!
_________________
Julia Dorofeeva
Dating Pro Online Dating Software
http://www.datingpro.com