Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

(Posting here since this is the more appropriate place for this discussion prompted by a question in The Lounge)

Mat,

I actually did help by giving Ed a lot of specific suggestions.

I was not willing to spend any extensive time on that without somewhat reasonable compensation, though I'd happily help out at below-market prices just because I like this place.

Here's some free advice that could make the site millions.

1: Host blogs for 2+2ers

2: Have tournament and cash game tracking, like pocketfives and highstakes.nu.

3: Have a hand converter as part of the site like the tons of ones out there.

4: Have a hand database like pokerhand.org

5: Have a revenue-share marketplace for users to sell their videos or other products, similar to stuff being sold at cardrunners.com

There are many other things you could do, but these are a number of things that would directly increase page views, site loyalty/stickiness, and revenues to 2+2.

Not apples to apples, but here's a fashion site that is aggressively doing the types of things that I would do if I were running 2+2.

They just raised $18.5 million dollars in growth capital and are valued at $150 million.

Working linky.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

This link should work.

Venture Beat - Glam raises $18.5 million

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

Diablo,

You make some very great suggestions there, but I really doubt they will be implemented. The 2+2 management seems really lazy about improving this site. The forums have been very popular for several years, yet virtually nothing has improved, except for the addition of the magazine, which has a very amateurish layout and design. And look at the front page; it looks like it was designed in 1996, and very well may have been.

Another big mistake that 2+2 made was not doing more to capitalize on Fossilman's WSOP win and getting him to play more of an official role on 2+2.

Worst of all, 2+2 could have easily hired, for a small fee, some of the many extremely talented people on this site with a lot of time on their hands to help improve the site and implement things like you desribed.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

these are all great ideas. if only 1 or 2 of those are halfway properly realized, it would be a huge added value to the forum, from a users perspective. there are loads of programmers on the forums, myself included, that im sure would be more than willing to help.

im not sure how 1-4 could help raise money though aside from the added traffic.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

I would think that just increasing page-views and site-stickyness in the way ElD suggests would bring in more sales.

More views = More clicks on sales links and banners.

Increasing traffic even more could also allow them to raise advertising rates perhaps. Or cause a greater demand at the current rates.

Lots of possibilities.

ElD makes some good suggestions.

I would add that as they do all this stuff they would want to re-design the site to better incorporate the sales pages.

As it is now, when browsing the forums I think a lot of people don't realize there is a little 'books' link at the bottom. Also not sure how many people have zero awareness of the classifieds. Stuff like that.

Making that stuff more prominent via a banner-ad for their own products while surfing the forums could be considered.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

[ QUOTE ]
Increasing traffic even more could also allow them to raise advertising rates perhaps. Or cause a greater demand at the current rates.

Lots of possibilities.

[/ QUOTE ]
RSS = More traffic

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

[ QUOTE ]
1: Host blogs for 2+2ers

[/ QUOTE ]
Pardon my ignant, but what function does this serve?

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
1: Host blogs for 2+2ers

[/ QUOTE ]
Pardon my ignant, but what function does this serve?

[/ QUOTE ]

Hits here that currently go elsewhere. Easy for users to find interesting blogs, etc.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

These are some awesome ideas.

Re: Monetizing/making 2+2 better
 

Mat, David, Mason,
Per usual, The Masked One makes an excellent post. This website is good but can be great. Just like a poker player must adapt to changing conditions, so should a business. Don't be complacent, don't be satisfied, be proactive. There are plenty of people willing to help out, whether it be with ideas or technical expertise. Take advantage.