The Bare Bones

Yesterday I posed the question, what determines the success of a Social Media network?

I used MySpace as an example.

And today I have the bare bones answer to whether or not a Social Media network will be successful.

We have grown accustom to free.

Create a free account, free profile, free this and that.

But social media networks are not really free.

Someone has to pay to keep the thing running.

And we have the chicken and the egg theory to contend with too.

Do you get lots of money and then build a network, or do you build a network and then get lots of money?

I know folks who tried the first option and can't figure out why they can't get investors.

And we've seen the other side too, that's where you have the money to start, so you build a sizable network of users then try and figure out how to make it profitable.

Twitter is in that boat.

Facebook figured it out awhile ago that they would offer advertising options to companies and even individuals who wanted to target a message to tightly controlled, customizable audiences.

But let me return to the bare bones of success.

Just like any other business venture it takes $$.

If a Social Media network can't sustain itself, it will disappear.

Just like any other business.

It is that simple and basic.

By the way, my job is to help businesses use the power of the internet to be successful and make money. Contact me for help.

ScLoHo is Scott Howard, a Solutions Consultant with Cirrus ABS.

You can contact him here: