IOL -- May 24 -- "How to make money is the problem for every Internet dating company in China," said Zhang Kuan, president of dating site Jiaoyou. Chinese men are increasingly moving from their home towns to large cities where they have a limited social network to find a mate, according to Jason Tian, CEO Baihe. iResearch estimates the Chinese online dating market could reach $82-million (about R543-million) in 2008. The potential will hinge partly on a migration away from a free business model. "High quality services cannot be free," said Dr Song Li, CEO of SinoFriends. The solution, according to eFriendsNet.com (Yeeyoo.com) CEO, Marine Ma, is to blend social networking and Internet dating services. eFriendsNet (5 million users, $3m irevenue in 2005) charges a subscription fee for enhanced services such as the ability to chat with a potential date by mobile phone using a secure connection that protects both parties' identity.
The full article was originally published at Iol, but is no longer available.
Mark Brooks: Dr Li encouraged the Chinese dating industry to start charging for their services at the Asian internet dating convention.
"the Chinese online dating market could reach $82-million (about R543-million) in 2008."
I personally estimate the actual Latin American online dating market (Brazil, Venezuela, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, etc) over USD $100 million!!!!
Kindest Regards,
Fernando Ardenghi.
Buenos Aires.
Argentina.
[email protected]
Posted by: Fernando Ardenghi | May 25, 2006 at 04:54 PM
"........
"High quality services cannot be free," said Dr Song Li, CEO of SinoFriends. The solution, according to eFriendsNet.com (Yeeyoo.com) CEO, Marine Ma, is to blend social networking and Internet dating services.
........"
.... to blend social networking and Internet dating services == TERRIBLE MISTAKE
The solution is market segmentation like:
* social_networking and fun_online_dating market: mainly for 13-25 years old persons (teenagers).
Those Sites are CHEAP CHANNELS for deliver ADS, i.e. infomercial-advertainment companies on the web as their revenue/income is due by ads only. Their business model is a combination of free users and paying clients. Free users who search on the database, (what they want to find / what they believe they want) and clients who pay to deliver ads to free users.
Free_Users will need the service for fun! They will need exclusive CONTENTS for members.
* quality_online_dating market: mainly for 26-and more years old persons.
Clients will pay for quality CONTACTS (compatible real persons) and to avoid being hurt in their feelings by other persons.
Quality_online_dating sites are like actual Offline Chains, they offer confidential treatment of information provided (profiles): privacy, Code of Ethics and background checks (professionalism).
Kindest Regards,
Fernando Ardenghi.
Buenos Aires.
Argentina.
[email protected]
Posted by: Fernando Ardenghi | May 25, 2006 at 07:29 PM