Social Network Marketing Tycoon

**jasondavis** · 04-21-2007, 11:11 AM

Hi guys I'm new here, but a 11 year veteran to web developtment.

friendProject.com coming soon is a new social network I am putting out soon, I am aware that there are hundreds of them and it will never be myspace

I will have about 10k invested to play with for design, development , and advertising

Advertising is my weakest area so I'm open to ideas beside search engines, posting on forums, myspace, and such

Some things I have started doing/planning
- business cards
- t-shirts

This community will be for all ages and all kinds of people

**Netstorm** · 04-23-2007, 03:22 AM

10k is a lot of cash to put into it, just make sure its unique and will attract a user base. The market is very thin now, I tried some others besides myspace and I just didn't like the feel. Remember myspace and the others have the user base because they are simple, and have something to offer. Music/friends/groups/chat/forums. One thing I noticed that works well is niche type networks. If you get something based around a sport, a specific type of music, or just some type of activity that has a decent sized user base. If you go for the average user they are already taken. If you made a niche site on electronic music which is what I like, then I would definitely join.

Just remember be different.

**ewgross_shirtco** · 04-23-2007, 10:21 AM

you have to brand it right. right now, the logo makes it look like more of the same.

you have to give it it's own unique look and feel, so it has it's own personality. that's really the most important thing, because once you have personality then you have word-of-mouth. and that's the single most important and effective form of advertising, especially for a community website.

the word "project" in of itself has a certain feel to it, which your logo and layout don't match at all. "project" has a connotation of "undergound," "new," and "against the grain." FriendProject is actually a really good name to work with. you could really get a mass audience if you brand it right.

My suggestion is to emphasize and play up the word "project," and use "friend" only to reinforce that. for instance, try to get people to refer to it as "the project".

that's my 2 cents, anyway.

**Raize** · 04-27-2007, 02:30 AM

I would guess that this is gonna be a learning lesson for you in business and online. Therefore, I wouldn't spend 10 large to learn those lessons when you have competition from billion dollar networks like facebook and myspace, plus all the other small ones (like yours) that have popped up. If you really wanna spend 10 grand, think of something new and different, or other projects with more long term potential. Maybe if you had some sort of niche it would be better.

On another note, marketing a social networking site is difficult because people have to like it to join it, meaning your advertising will mostly be word of mouth. Have fun

**jSonic** · 05-01-2007, 06:15 AM

You want my advice? Don't bother with this one.

**amnesia623** · 05-06-2007, 04:17 PM

I believe a niche market is the way to go, as that is what I'm focusing mine on.

I agree, 10K is a load of cash to spend on it. As you probably already know, don't blow it all at once in a 'big advertising push.' Set goals, hold back on the cash, and see where it takes you.

Also, don't be discouraged with what people say. If you feel you can make it work, go for it. Although, unless 10K comes easily to you, I'd watch spending.

Buuuuut that's just me. Good Luck!

**Tetsuo** · 05-08-2007, 04:02 PM

Yeah.. I wouldn't use all of that money for your first push. These social sites have a long tail, where it picks up all of a sudden. As well, if you're doing a social site I'd try to tailor it to a specific niche, otherwise there's no way you're going to compete with the likes of myspace and facebook.

**zorbat788** · 06-10-2007, 11:35 PM

Got to find a way to mix whatever you are focusing on to something
that is popular.

That was the brilliance of Myspace...combined networking with
music...ever met someone who doesn't like music?

Hmmmm....

**markov** · 06-12-2007, 10:32 AM

Instead of going for the wide range subject, it would be a better idea to opt a niche and build the network around it. It would give a better success.

**caseyturner** · 06-19-2007, 06:35 PM

go with your own niche. i think thats the better way to go

**richrf** · 06-20-2007, 10:51 AM

I would agree with many of the comments already made. I have a very good domain that would be excellent for social networking, but so far I have avoided it because the competition is this market space is extraordinary. Possibly the most competitive market space at the moment. 10K unfortunately is not very much when you consider your competition and you could very likely spend all of it very quickly with very little to show in return.

I would recommend that you conserve cash until you have had a chance to experiment a bit and get to know the terrain. You will very likely change the theme of your site several times and if you run out of cash, you will probably have to give up before you find the correct theme. So, I would suggest that you take your time, conserve your money, and experiment with different ideas while you are growing your own knowledgebase.

Good luck!

Rich

**Ronald Marva** · 06-21-2007, 11:12 PM

I am a big fan of Social Networking and I cant wait to get started with your site. Thanks for the headstart info.

**GeorgeB** · 06-22-2007, 11:58 AM

This thread is 2 months old

**anthonylrm** · 07-08-2007, 01:26 PM

that's a good moneymaking business. even though you have a big capital, that would payout in less time.

**telekinesis07** · 07-12-2007, 08:34 AM

You should make your site unique. You should have something that others dont but do not make it too complicated. Good Luck!