The model of "Free", any multi millionaires yet? - GoFuckYourself.com

slapass · 02-20-2010, 07:14 AM

I keep hearing about the new way of marketing is "Free" but has it produced any big money for anyone yet?

The Unix guys? Other open source guys? I suppose the Hun would count. Anyone else?

TheDoc · 02-20-2010, 07:18 AM

Linux, wordpress, facebook, google..

slapass · 02-20-2010, 07:20 AM

Google is not free. Facebook is rich in that they keep getting big checks but they lose the cash running the site. So lets call it an unknown. Wordpress folks made some big cash?

stickyfingerz · 02-20-2010, 07:24 AM

Kevin Rose from Digg.

4pleasure_Davide · 02-20-2010, 07:27 AM

facebook ? :p

TheDoc · 02-20-2010, 07:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapass

Google is not free. Facebook is rich in that they keep getting big checks but they lose the cash running the site. So lets call it an unknown. Wordpress folks made some big cash?

Google isn't free? Everything but buying ads is free. As a Webmaster, it's tools are free.

Facebook was losing money but I would be surprised if it is still is. It's one of the richest properties on the Internet for buying targeted traffic....

Wordpress is godly.. they do hosting, plugins, poll software, normal ads, lots of stuff... they're killing it with a free product that is giving them free branding like nothing else I have ever seen.

TheDoc · 02-20-2010, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stickyfingerz

Kevin Rose from Digg.

Go Fuck Yourself

dot com

Lassitor · 02-20-2010, 07:36 AM

The payoff with "free" or Open Source is with the customization that comes at a stiff price tag. However, this has not always worked well since there is this sort of attitude out there that once something is free then everything related to that product should be free as well. It is also my experience that when someone is insisting to develop with a Open Source system and free software that they have no money to begin with to spend on development.

The Free Porn model, much like the free news or anything out there that gives value for free, but then markets to the viewer with ads has sort of fizzled. Viewers are simply not clicking on the ads or if they do they are not buying.

I had a muse the other day; what if every single adult website took down its free content and insisted that the viewer pay? I bet the viewer would pay and not go away. But you see, every site has to do this or its a no go.

react · 02-20-2010, 08:17 AM

Plentyoffish?

Freemium is the new free.

L-Pink · 02-20-2010, 09:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lassitor

The payoff with "free" or Open Source is with the customization that comes at a stiff price tag. However, this has not always worked well since there is this sort of attitude out there that once something is free then everything related to that product should be free as well. It is also my experience that when someone is insisting to develop with a Open Source system and free software that they have no money to begin with to spend on development.

The Free Porn model, much like the free news or anything out there that gives value for free, but then markets to the viewer with ads has sort of fizzled. Viewers are simply not clicking on the ads or if they do they are not buying.

I had a muse the other day; what if every single adult website took down its free content and insisted that the viewer pay? I bet the viewer would pay and not go away. But you see, every site has to do this or its a no go.

Good post.

It's also easier to make money giving away "free" product you stole vs product you paid for.

.

Paul Markham · 02-20-2010, 09:05 AM

The search engines make money with their "free" product. Doubt if many else do. A better question would be "Who has lost a million with a free site?"

closer · 02-20-2010, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lassitor

The payoff with "free" or Open Source is with the customization that comes at a stiff price tag. However, this has not always worked well since there is this sort of attitude out there that once something is free then everything related to that product should be free as well. It is also my experience that when someone is insisting to develop with a Open Source system and free software that they have no money to begin with to spend on development.

I think www.magentocommerce.com falls into that category?

They started off with a free e-commerce shop but soon added the obvious shop functionalities into an extremely expensive "premium" version

Agent 488 · 02-20-2010, 10:53 AM

just millions of millionaires.

The Porn Nerd · 02-20-2010, 10:57 AM

Let's bring this down to 'reality' for a moment, shall we? yes, we can discuss Microsoft or Google or any GIANT COMPANY that is now successful and analyize how they started.....so what? None of us on here are Microsoft or Google (or facebook or and of the other 'free' examples listed above, and I know Microsoft isn't 'free' just pointing out a GIANT company).

So: how many of US - webmasters making, say, UNDER 1 million a year in income, are 'getting rich' (comparatively)? I mean, how many of US would consider OURSELVES 'successful' if our business model is giving away our shit for free? Hmmmm?

Using Google, Facebook, Wordpress et al as examples is useless. IMHO

TheDoc · 02-20-2010, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MisterPeabody

Let's bring this down to 'reality' for a moment, shall we? yes, we can discuss Microsoft or Google or any GIANT COMPANY that is now successful and analyize how they started.....so what? None of us on here are Microsoft or Google (or facebook or and of the other 'free' examples listed above, and I know Microsoft isn't 'free' just pointing out a GIANT company).

So: how many of US - webmasters making, say, UNDER 1 million a year in income, are 'getting rich' (comparatively)? I mean, how many of US would consider OURSELVES 'successful' if our business model is giving away our shit for free? Hmmmm?

Using Google, Facebook, Wordpress et al as examples is useless. IMHO

Our Industry has a lot of multi-million dollar a year affiliates running free sites, free traffic, free logins, giving away free content, using ads/upsells, or whatever to cover the grap. I can't say how big MFP is, no idea really... but it's probably safe to guess it's that big.

An $85k+ a month affiliate isn't the most common thing, but they are around... even more in mainstream.

The lesson with google/facebook is, if they are free, if huge models like wordpress are free... then it works, all over, big or small, any niche, any industry. But just because you create another wordpress, exactly like they did... it doesn't mean it will be successful, free or paid.

RayBonga · 02-20-2010, 11:39 AM

youtube, sold for over one billion, no?

Jakez · 02-20-2010, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RayBonga

youtube, sold for over one billion, no?

And it continues to be a supposed money pit. Who is losing money running a free site? Oh wait hosting - fuck!

The Porn Nerd · 02-20-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDoc

Our Industry has a lot of multi-million dollar a year affiliates running free sites, free traffic, free logins, giving away free content, using ads/upsells, or whatever to cover the grap. I can't say how big MFP is, no idea really... but it's probably safe to guess it's that big.

An $85k+ a month affiliate isn't the most common thing, but they are around... even more in mainstream.

The lesson with google/facebook is, if they are free, if huge models like wordpress are free... then it works, all over, big or small, any niche, any industry. But just because you create another wordpress, exactly like they did... it doesn't mean it will be successful, free or paid.

Excellent points. I was just saying the average webmaster trying to 'make it' will not do so - or will face an incredible uphill battle - if their prime business model is giving away 85% of their content for free. Free sites, TGPs, even tube submissions - all free, yes, but should - should - only represent a small percentage of your actual content. What I'M seeing these days, a trend, is desperate Webmasters, who have seen their revenues shrink over the past eighteen months, panic and start throwing ALL (or most) of their shit 'out there' in some manic attempt to net whatever fishes they feel are left. This is a mistake.

COUNTER-trend people. COUNTER TREND! Porn sites - legit ones, who can back this up - should be charging $49.95+ for their content. Why? because the perception will be: "Wow, their shit MUST be good for them to charge THAT! MUST be better than all that free, over-exposed shit I see everywhere..."

Just sayin'.

slapass · 02-20-2010, 12:21 PM

google is a good example. it was early is my excuse. Facebook is cash flow positive so that is working now. http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/...million-users/

I am not a fan of the "free" model as it makes so less money then going straight paid to start with but it is hard to argue that is not getting traction.

CYF · 02-20-2010, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by react

Plentyoffish?

Freemium is the new free.

That guy is google's highest paid adsense user. Or so I've heard.

Facebook is also profitable now.

IllTestYourGirls · 02-20-2010, 03:08 PM

Most news sites?

seeandsee · 02-20-2010, 03:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slapass

I keep hearing about the new way of marketing is "Free" but has it produced any big money for anyone yet?

The Unix guys? Other open source guys? I suppose the Hun would count. Anyone else?

the tubez ;)

Hentaikid · 02-20-2010, 06:00 PM

the guys running all those file storage sites are making a killing I'll bet: mediafire, rapidshare megaupload etc

epitome · 02-20-2010, 06:05 PM

Let's ask Brazzers. They supposedly make $9 million a quarter.

halfpint · 02-20-2010, 06:08 PM

Free is not new its been around in the shops for years before they started using it on the interwebs. The only difference is the guys on the interwebs used it all wrong so Free dosent mean " you buy one and you get this free" Free now means you dont buy nothing its just well ...."FREE"

CaptainHowdy · 02-20-2010, 07:06 PM

Who cares about money these days?

andrej_NDC · 02-20-2010, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lassitor

I had a muse the other day; what if every single adult website took down its free content and insisted that the viewer pay? I bet the viewer would pay and not go away. But you see, every site has to do this or its a no go.

What would make the surfer buy? If he didn't see enough preview, he would close the site and rather watch porn in TV. Free content is here to tease the surfer and make him pay.

02-20-2010, 07:14 AM	#1
slapass Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 14,625	The model of "Free", any multi millionaires yet? I keep hearing about the new way of marketing is "Free" but has it produced any big money for anyone yet? The Unix guys? Other open source guys? I suppose the Hun would count. Anyone else?

02-20-2010, 07:18 AM	#2
TheDoc Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Currently Incognito Posts: 13,827	Linux, wordpress, facebook, google.. __________________ ~TheDoc - ICQ7765825 It's all disambiguation

02-20-2010, 07:27 AM	#5
4pleasure_Davide Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Belgium, Antwerp Posts: 252	facebook ? :p __________________ 4pleasure.biz livecam affiliate program - Up to $100 PPS - 30% real lifetime revenue share - up to $1.25 per free join Contact us on ICQ : 366641197

02-20-2010, 08:17 AM	#9
react Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: NZ Posts: 673	Plentyoffish? Freemium is the new free. __________________ -- react

02-20-2010, 09:05 AM	#11
Paul Markham Too old to care Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws. Posts: 52,943	The search engines make money with their "free" product. Doubt if many else do. A better question would be "Who has lost a million with a free site?" __________________ Blowout deal. 880 videos, 2,400 image sets, plus many RAW videos. $500. PM me for a deal. Skype Paulmarkham70

02-20-2010, 07:20 AM	#3
slapass Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 14,625	Google is not free. Facebook is rich in that they keep getting big checks but they lose the cash running the site. So lets call it an unknown. Wordpress folks made some big cash?

02-20-2010, 07:24 AM	#4
stickyfingerz Doin fine Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 24,984	Kevin Rose from Digg.

02-20-2010, 07:36 AM	#8
Lassitor Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 278	The payoff with "free" or Open Source is with the customization that comes at a stiff price tag. However, this has not always worked well since there is this sort of attitude out there that once something is free then everything related to that product should be free as well. It is also my experience that when someone is insisting to develop with a Open Source system and free software that they have no money to begin with to spend on development. The Free Porn model, much like the free news or anything out there that gives value for free, but then markets to the viewer with ads has sort of fizzled. Viewers are simply not clicking on the ads or if they do they are not buying. I had a muse the other day; what if every single adult website took down its free content and insisted that the viewer pay? I bet the viewer would pay and not go away. But you see, every site has to do this or its a no go.

02-20-2010, 10:53 AM	#13
Agent 488 Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 22,511	just millions of millionaires.

02-20-2010, 10:57 AM	#14
The Porn Nerd Living The Dream Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Inside a Monitor Posts: 19,710	Let's bring this down to 'reality' for a moment, shall we? yes, we can discuss Microsoft or Google or any GIANT COMPANY that is now successful and analyize how they started.....so what? None of us on here are Microsoft or Google (or facebook or and of the other 'free' examples listed above, and I know Microsoft isn't 'free' just pointing out a GIANT company). So: how many of US - webmasters making, say, UNDER 1 million a year in income, are 'getting rich' (comparatively)? I mean, how many of US would consider OURSELVES 'successful' if our business model is giving away our shit for free? Hmmmm? Using Google, Facebook, Wordpress et al as examples is useless. IMHO __________________ My Affiliate Programs: Porn Nerd Cash \| Porn Showcase \| Aggressive Gold Over 90 paysites to promote! Now on Teams: peabodymedia

02-20-2010, 11:39 AM	#16
RayBonga too cool for highschool Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: East side, West side, Worldwide! Posts: 12,164	youtube, sold for over one billion, no?

02-20-2010, 12:21 PM	#19
slapass Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Earth Posts: 14,625	google is a good example. it was early is my excuse. Facebook is cash flow positive so that is working now. http://www.wired.com/epicenter/2009/...million-users/ I am not a fan of the "free" model as it makes so less money then going straight paid to start with but it is hard to argue that is not getting traction.

02-20-2010, 03:08 PM	#21
IllTestYourGirls Ah My Balls Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Under the gold leaf ICQ 388-454-421 Posts: 14,311	Most news sites? __________________

02-20-2010, 06:00 PM	#23
Hentaikid Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2002 Posts: 1,250	the guys running all those file storage sites are making a killing I'll bet: mediafire, rapidshare megaupload etc

02-20-2010, 06:05 PM	#24
epitome So Fucking Lame Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: St. Petersburg, FL Posts: 12,156	Let's ask Brazzers. They supposedly make $9 million a quarter.

02-20-2010, 06:08 PM	#25
halfpint GFY's Halfpint Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: UK Posts: 15,223	Free is not new its been around in the shops for years before they started using it on the interwebs. The only difference is the guys on the interwebs used it all wrong so Free dosent mean " you buy one and you get this free" Free now means you dont buy nothing its just well ...."FREE" __________________ Get FREE website listings on Cryptocoinshops.net

02-20-2010, 07:06 PM	#26
CaptainHowdy Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Happy in the dark. Posts: 94,116	Who cares about money these days? __________________ Vacares - Web Hosting, Domains, O365, Security & More - Paxum and BTC Accepted Windows VPS now available Great for TSS, Nifty Stats, remote work, virtual assistants, etc.