Ning announced yesterday that it will soon start construction on its walled garden. First to go, free use of its social networking services. According to Ning CEO Jason Rosenthal, the decision came after listening to the majority (75%) of already paying Ning users who want more flexibility and options in their networks. Well, ain't no free rides son. The pay services range from $5 to $100 or more a month.I don't see how anyone would want to pay $5, let alone $100, a month for something they've been using for free? I mean, if Craigslist started charging for all its services, how long would you give it? Then again, Mr. Newmark didn't have $120 million in investment money breathing down his neck. I'd want to see some sort of significant return if it were my 120 mill...I guess. I can't help but think of the corporations who are pouring millions of dollars into branding their products on Facebook. It may be a good time to start warming up the back burner, just in case.
Related article:
Wired "Ning Fails at Free Social Networking"
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Ning managed to increase profits by 400%...
ReplyDeletenow after 1 year of charging they are giving their CREATORS as we are called the opportunity to charge ourselves so we can make some money to pay them - guess what $19.95 per month so we can help ourselves to be able to pay them TWICE as much as before!!! holly cow - it sucks