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From Jason Calacanis:
“Facebook is an AMAZING way to promote a business that is off the Facebook platform…. right?! I mean look at these five huge business that Facebook apps have built…. ummm… the first is… ummm…. let me see. Uhhh…. does anyone know a business that has grown from Facebook into a real non-Facebook dependent business yet? I think MySpace has built one third part y business in Slide.com right? Oh yeah, and Photobucket which MySpace bought. Building inside closed ecosystems is very, very dangerous…. be careful.”
From The Mirror columnist Richard Hammond on having a Facebook account:
“As far as I can tell it’s a sort of cyber-exercise in filing and admin. It must be a colossal pain in the backside to have to run one of these things.” That might be the best analysis of Facebook we’ve ever seen.”
The bottom line: keep it in perspective, people…
The hyperbole surrounding Facebook apps is sickening, not to mention insipid entrepreneurs touting them as “the next big thing.”
My dog is the next big thing…
Left by Blake Snow on 10/01/2007@ Blake:
“My dog is the next big thing…”
Classic.
Left by Chris Knudsen on 10/01/2007Warning: This comment should be it’s own blog post. Sorry for the clutter, Chris.
First off, I don’t think Facebook is the summum bonum of the web. In ten years we’ll look back on what social networking is today and have a good laugh, just the way we do now with Geocities.
However, I don’t think that Facebook has done anything to show that it won’t be the one leading the way to the “next level” of social networking — whatever that may be.
Regarding your post, the jury is out on Facebook apps, but I can think of a couple reasons that pursuing the platform isn’t for dummies:
1) The Facebook platform has only been open for a few months, for crying out loud. Give it some time. MySpace has been around for a long time and they crushed all the app companies, right? But Facebook’s behavior indicates that they will run things a little differently that MySpace. Is it guaranteed that Facebook won’t get MySpace on everyone and shut down all of the app driven companies? No. But it’s certainly a calculated risk worth taking, because …
2) If you can gain access to a passionate audience of tens of millions virtually over night, you are a fool if you dismiss the opportunity, period. Companies are already learning how to monetize the apps — see WidgetBucks, AuctionAds, boobox — and it’s only been a year or so. Starting a widget shop is insanely cheap and the possibilities are huge because of the sheer numbers.
So there’s my case. Instead of railing on the shortcomings of an otherwise huge opportunity and step forward in technology, why not blog about ways that entrepreneurs CAN monetize Facebook? Your experience at 10 Speed should give you some extra insight on monetizing widgets. If Facebook ISN’T the next big thing, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what the next big thing IS.
Left by Jeff on 10/03/2007@Jeff
I’m pretty sure I wasn’t “railing” against facebook here. I was only presenting what others are saying on the matter and reminding people that we need to keep some perspective. Based on your comments, I’d think you’d agree with that.
As for me presenting a different view, I’ve done that on several occasions. Here’s one example:
http://www.chrisknudsen.biz/374/the-great-web-20-bubble-debate-or-why-its-time-to-start-thinking-about-web-30/
Left by Chris Knudsen on 10/03/2007“If Facebook ISN’T the next big thing, I’d love to hear your thoughts on what the next big thing IS.”
Jeff, stop worrying about what the “next big thing” is because it doesn’t exist. Focus on what you do best, what you’re passionate about, and you’ll do fine. And I’ll be darned for saying it, you may end up creating something that a lot of people dig.
Left by Blake Snow on 10/04/2007@Blake With all due respect, I think it is productive to pay attention to what “the next big thing” is.
For instance, dog lovers who caught on to social networking — “the next big thing” at the time — were able to create Dogster and pursue their passions using the newest platform. Now they’re doing over $2M in revenues and doing what they love.
Same thing could be said about musicians who used MySpace back in the day to get the word out about the music they were passionate about.
Calacanis loved writing, caught on to blogging — another “next big thing” — and it worked out well.
Staying on top of the latest trends helps entrepreneurs pursue their passions more effectively.
The point of my question was to get the conversation moving in a positive direction that would help us all figure out the best way to take advantage of this relatively new platform and get our products out in front of people who care. But if Facebook isn’t a good way to do that and make money at the same time, I want to hear about a platform that IS a good way to do it.
Left by Jeff on 10/08/2007