$38, the value of a user to a social network

http://vallettaventures.com/post/13744476204/38-the-value-of-a-user-to-a-social-network

by steeleduncan • 15 years ago

25 8 15 years ago

ps8ed• 15 years ago

There can only be a fixed value per user for a social network if all companies are equally good at monetizing their networks and that can't be true

wlievens• 15 years ago

Maybe it's an average?

sneak• 15 years ago

The article actually addresses this point quite intelligently.

sp00nman• 15 years ago

The Skype still doesn't make sense. You can't advertise on Skype, their only revenue stream is Skype to landline call, and here they are victims of their own success as few people make such calls.

steeleduncan• 15 years ago

I think the skype purchase was more about Microsoft buying themselves into to the mobile phone market.

code_duck2• 15 years ago

With the most recent update from Verizon, Skype is installed on my phone as an 'Android System Application'. As a normal user, it can't be uninstalled. This sort of placement seems advantageous, and certainly provides MS with a good phone foothold on Android and iOS. On the other hand, users hate apps that can't be uninstalled, but aren't quite part of the system software either (code_duck glances at Blockbuster or VZ Navigator).

Also, to clarify their services, accepting landline to Skype requires a subscription. I wouldn't call it landline though, since it's actually a connection to the normal phone network which includes cell phones. You can also pay Skype to send SMS messages and provide voicemail.

mmahemoff• 15 years ago

Also, Google Hangouts ... and there will soon be viable competition from HTML5 web apps (Hangouts presently use a plugin).

http://www.slashgear.com/google-webrtc-browser-voicevideo-ch...

code_duck2• 15 years ago

Similar to any other business, part of the valuation of these companies relates to how much growth is expected. Dividing the price by the number of current members is therefore not very meaningful. The forecast of future growth is mixed in with that figure.

$38, the value of a user to a social network

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