[cardguy]

(06-16-2013 09:34 AM)puckman Wrote:  

Say what you will about Markus, but he is an internet legend. Started POF on his laptop, has almost no staff, is the highest paid AdSense publisher, etc etc. sort of a personal hero, but the site is full of fatties, never would use it myself.

http://www.inc.com/magazine/20090101/and...ng-in.html

That profile is brilliant. The guy is a legend. Makes millions of dollars, works 10 minutes a day and only employs 3 people.

I have never seen a case study like this one. This is an extreme example of what the '4 hour work-week' was trying to preach.

Very cool!

[Timoteo]

Frind is definitely an interesting guy. It's interesting how a person's early development manifests itself in who he became as an adult. He was isolated and awkward as a youth, so as an adult he tends to be more comfortable alone. He's brutally frank and honest (since he prefers not interacting with people, he has no use for tact), yet he doesn't like conflict and confrontation. He doesn't like conflict, yet is intensely competitive. He's intensely competitive, yet has an I-don't-give-a-fuck attitude about certain aspects of his business, and isn't doesn't feel pressed to make certain changes. He says FUCK YOU to the concerns of his members, because he's confident that what he's doing works. Most CEOs would at least listen - he can't be bothered. His personality helped him form an incredibly streamlined and successful business.

The only thing I didn't like about him is treating his girlfriend's girlfriends to vacations on his dime, and allowing his girlfriend to work for him. If he ever wants to get rid of her, she'll try to sue him, stating she helped him "build" his business. I believe men should keep their personal relationships out of their professional business.

[cardguy]

The thing about any business though - is it is hard to quantify how much luck/randomness was involved. Few people are successful in more than one business.

Even Richard Branson who has had a few different billion dollar businesses - has had dozens of failures as well. But people only remember the ones that become big.

Still - some tips I have taken away from reading up on Markus Frind.

One - have a business where the users create the content.

Two - look for businesses which currently charge a fee. And try and offer the same service for free. Markus did this with Plenty Of Fish at a time when the other dating sites charged a fee.

Anyway - I recommend the following book for those looking for an interesting overview of businesses making money, whilst giving away their product for free.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-smartest-bu...s=freemium

[Timoteo]

(06-16-2013 03:33 PM)cardguy Wrote:  

Two - look for businesses which currently charge a fee. And try and offer the same service for free. Markus did this with Plenty Of Fish at a time when the other dating sites charged a fee

The other interesting thing he did was basically allow his competitors to advertise on his site. He makes money on those ads, and doesn't care if some of his membership decides to "upgrade" to a paid site. He knows he'll always have members that are against paying, and will always get new members to replace any that leave. Some may get paid accounts elsewhere, and still maintain a profile on his site.

Quote:

Even Richard Branson who has had a few different billion dollar businesses - has had dozens of failures as well. But people only remember the ones that become big.

Richard Branson is one of my favorite people. He's bold, and isn't afraid to take a risk or two. His successes allow him to take those risks.

[cardguy]

Richard Branson is a legend. I recommend any of the books written by him - or about him. I have read them all, and they are all fascinating.

[Vaun]

(06-16-2013 03:33 PM)cardguy Wrote:  

The thing about any business though - is it is hard to quantify how much luck/randomness was involved. Few people are successful in more than one business.

Even Richard Branson who has had a few different billion dollar businesses - has had dozens of failures as well. But people only remember the ones that become big.

Still - some tips I have taken away from reading up on Markus Frind.

One - have a business where the users create the content.

Two - look for businesses which currently charge a fee. And try and offer the same service for free. Markus did this with Plenty Of Fish at a time when the other dating sites charged a fee.

Anyway - I recommend the following book for those looking for an interesting overview of businesses making money, whilst giving away their product for free.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Free-smartest-bu...s=freemium

Markus monetized with AdSense before anyone really knew what it was, and built his success on no log in and having no pay wall, with lots of pictures of fatties. He has one now, but the site used to be completely open and free. From my experience Markus is a fast mover, meaning, when he saw something he liked he tried it quickly and dumped it if it didnt work. Small staff, all upside, he is exactly what the 4 hour preaches but I bet he has never worked a 4 hour week in his life.

[Vaun]

(06-16-2013 07:48 PM)cardguy Wrote:  

Richard Branso is a legend. I recommend any of the books written by him - or about him. I have read them all, and they are all fascinating.

what about Felix Dennis? one of my favorite Brits for sure.

[Zep]

Someone should create a site like the old POF now. Strike while the iron is hot. I don't code, don't know how hard it would be, but this Markus dude is begging *someone* to create a site like the old POF right away. The forums over there are filled with people hating what he's done. If I could code up a site, I'd have get it done asap. Couple of new features would be....make men and women post a face and body shot if they're going to post pics, and when doing searches, have a cancel feature for profiles you've looked at already, or are not interested in so they don't show up on futur searches. Also, put a forum on the site, that pof forum creates tons of interest. For the most part, just copy what he's done with a few tweaks.

[kinjutsu]

@Aliblahba Typical attention whore who happens not to be that attractive.

@Scorer and LowercaseG Just lie about your age. Keep yourself looking healthy. I can pass for easy 10 years younger than i am.

[cardguy]

Felix Dennis is a cool guy. Although I read his book ('How To Get Rich') and found it a little lacking in details.

I guess the book is more of a general guide to the characteristics and ferocious drive you need to decide to become very rich.

He repeatedly points out how difficult it is to decide you want to become rich. Too many people get discouraged or priotise some other aspect of their life over the drive to become rich.

When he wrote the book - Felix Dennis (who is a billionaire) said that in his experience. You don't need much more than 70 million pounds (a little over 100 million dollars) to truly enjoy life and fulfill every one of your desires. He found that any more money than that was a bit of a waste since it didn't really add any extra enjoyment to his life.

OF course Felix is unusual compared to alot of billionaires. He is an intellectual who likes to write poetry - and who considers time to be the best thing that money can buy (and I agree). The freedom to fill the day exactly as you want is the most precious thing in the world to him.

One of the interesting points he makes is this - I can't remember the exact figures but this is the general point he was making.

He says - okay, imagine you have decided you truly want to be incredibly rich? And to be incredibly rich is more important to you than listening to friends and family who will tell you to settle down and just get a normal job like everyone else. Okay, good!

Now - some good news. Getting incredibly rich is not as unlikely as you might think.

Firstly - in the UK - there are 30 million adults.

Kick out half of them because they are women.

Now kick out 2/3 of them because they are not (hopefully) as smart as you.

So - we are left with 5 million men who are about as smart as you.

Now - kick out half of them becasue they are retired or are soon to retire.

We are left with 2.5 million men.

Now - kick out 3/4 of them because they are trapped in a mortgage, marriage, kids - such that they are not in a position to take a risk with their lives.

That leaves us with 625,000 men.

Of those 625,000 men - only about one percent are hell bent on getting rich at the expense of everything else. And at the expense of living a nice comfortable life with a good career.

So - now you are down to 6250 people.

Now in the UK - there are about 1000 people who were worth more than 65 million pounds (100 million dollars).

So - that leaves us with a figure of 1 in 6.

But that seems too high - and doesn't take into account the fact that alot of the super rich people in the UK inherited their wealth.

So - we can maybe push back the figure to 1 in 20.

------------------------

Now - I am sure I have fucked up the figures somewhere along the way (I will try and cut and paste from the book if I find it). But there is a sense in which - if you meet all the criteria above - your chances of becoming super rich are in the realms of 1-5%.

Which is still difficult. But is also alot more encouraging than the usual way of thinking. Which is to think to yourself - there are 65 million people in the country. So - I only have a 1 in 65 million chance of becoming super rich.

But as Felix says. It is truly hard to decide to become rich. Felix was living in poverty as he tried to make money. When all around him people were offering him nice jobs and investments (but only if he would give up equity). And Felix turned it all down - in order to try and become rich.

And that reminds me of another point. Felix is adamant that you never give away any equity when starting a business and raising money.

It makes it more difficult to 'bake the pie' when you go down that route. But when you do bake the pie - it is all yours.

Cardguy

PS Felix Dennis has the coolest inside cover to a book I have ever seen. Click on the link below to check it out. It shows something you never see in any other book promising to make you rich. It is the coolest 'fuck you' to the other authors promising the same thing.

http://www.felixdennis.com/content/wp-co..._cover.jpg [these are photocopies of a bunch of cheques that Felix has written out over the years for the payment of his income tax]

[Vaun]

and let us not forget.. he brought the world Maxim magazine

(06-17-2013 06:20 AM)cardguy Wrote:  

Felix Dennis is a cool guy. Although I read his book ('How To Get Rich') and found it a little lacking in details.

I guess the book is more of a general guide to the characteristics and ferocious drive you need to decide to become very rich.

He repeatedly points out how difficult it is to decide you want to become rich. Too many people get discouraged or priotise some other aspect of their life over the drive to become rich.

When he wrote the book - Felix Dennis (who is a billionaire) said that in his experience. You don't need much more than 70 million pounds (a little over 100 million dollars) to truly enjoy life and fulfill every one of your desires. He found that any more money than that was a bit of a waste since it didn't really add any extra enjoyment to his life.

OF course Felix is unusual compared to alot of billionaires. He is an intellectual who likes to write poetry - and who considers time to be the best thing that money can buy (and I agree). The freedom to fill the day exactly as you want is the most precious thing in the world to him.

One of the interesting points he makes is this - I can't remember the exact figures but this is the general point he was making.

He says - okay, imagine you have decided you truly want to be incredibly rich? And to be incredibly rich is more important to you than listening to friends and family who will tell you to settle down and just get a normal job like everyone else. Okay, good!

Now - some good news. Getting incredibly rich is not as unlikely as you might think.

Firstly - in the UK - there are 30 million adults.

Kick out half of them because they are women.

Now kick out 2/3 of them because they are not (hopefully) as smart as you.

So - we are left with 5 million men who are about as smart as you.

Now - kick out half of them becasue they are retired or are soon to retire.

We are left with 2.5 million men.

Now - kick out 3/4 of them because they are trapped in a mortgage, marriage, kids - such that they are not in a position to take a risk with their lives.

That leaves us with 625,000 men.

Of those 625,000 men - only about one percent are hell bent on getting rich at the expense of everything else. And at the expense of living a nice comfortable life with a good career.

So - now you are down to 6250 people.

Now in the UK - there are about 1000 people who were worth more than 65 million pounds (100 million dollars).

So - that leaves us with a figure of 1 in 6.

But that seems too high - and doesn't take into account the fact that alot of the super rich people in the UK inherited their wealth.

So - we can maybe push back the figure to 1 in 20.

------------------------

Now - I am sure I have fucked up the figures somewhere along the way (I will try and cut and paste from the book if I find it). But there is a sense in which - if you meet all the criteria above - your chances of becoming super rich are in the realms of 1-5%.

Which is still difficult. But is also alot more encouraging than the usual way of thinking. Which is to think to yourself - there are 65 million people in the country. So - I only have a 1 in 65 million chance of becoming super rich.

But as Felix says. It is truly hard to decide to become rich. Felix was living in poverty as he tried to make money. When all around him people were offering him nice jobs and investments (but only if he would give up equity). And Felix turned it all down - in order to try and become rich.

And that reminds me of another point. Felix is adamant that you never give away any equity when starting a business and raising money.

It makes it more difficult to 'bake the pie' when you go down that route. But when you do bake the pie - it is all yours.

Cardguy

PS Felix Dennis has the coolest inside cover to a book I have ever seen. Click on the link below to check it out. It shows something you never see in any other book promising to make you rich. It is the coolest 'fuck you' to the other authors promising the same thing.

http://www.felixdennis.com/content/wp-co..._cover.jpg [these are photocopies of a bunch of cheques that Felix has written out over the years for the payment of his income tax]

[Viagra_Falls]

(06-16-2013 10:15 PM)Zep Wrote:  

Someone should create a site like the old POF now. Strike while the iron is hot. I don't code, don't know how hard it would be, but this Markus dude is begging *someone* to create a site like the old POF right away. The forums over there are filled with people hating what he's done. If I could code up a site, I'd have get it done asap. Couple of new features would be....make men and women post a face and body shot if they're going to post pics, and when doing searches, have a cancel feature for profiles you've looked at already, or are not interested in so they don't show up on futur searches. Also, put a forum on the site, that pof forum creates tons of interest. For the most part, just copy what he's done with a few tweaks.

If someone starts a POF knock-off, I like the idea of having to pay small nominal amounts to initiate first messages. Like, $10 for a packet of 40 messages. It may come across to some as pedestalizing (having to pay to initiate contact), but really all you're doing is telling a chick you're interested in she's worth 25 cents.

Since most guys initiate messages, this would serve to cut down on attention whoring (girls don't get thier boxes filled up as fast) and even out the male-female ratio (by cutting down on broke dudes). Also, cutting out of the cheap/broke guys may raise the perceived value of the remaining guys on the site.

[Viagra_Falls]

A little off-topic, but there is an international dating site (out of australia) comparable to POF and OK Cupid that's been heavily promoted in the UK and is now starting to promote in the U.S. market. I do internet marketing for a living (in the dating niche) and am one of this site's top affiliates. Since I live in the U.S. (socal) and there's currently next to no one on the site in my area, it is my absolute intention to recruit as many females as I can while having myself be one of the few male members on the site.

Should be fun

[Vaun]

(06-17-2013 05:13 PM)Viagra_Falls Wrote:  

A little off-topic, but there is an international dating site (out of australia) comparable to POF and OK Cupid that's been heavily promoted in the UK and is now starting to promote in the U.S. market. I do internet marketing for a living (in the dating niche) and am one of this site's top affiliates. Since I live in the U.S. (socal) and there's currently next to no one on the site in my area, it is my absolute intention to recruit as many females as I can while having myself be one of the few male members on the site.

Should be fun

sign me up as a beta tester, I do what you do

[UgSlayer]

Hes fucking up a successful business model

[Screwston]

You can choose to Flag a Message now. If you click on the link, a screen comes up that says "You Are Reporting FemaleUser". Has a box to fill in why you're flagging the message and 4 boxes to choose from with these options

- generic one liner (copy/paste message)
- rude or inappropriate
- a bit creepy or weird
- sexual content in a message

[DrDoom]

This is precisely why my profile age is a lie.

Get ahead of Uncle Markus.

[Dex]

(05-20-2013 05:27 PM)Doulos2Game Wrote:  

Just saw the email. There are two possible reasons for this in my opinion:

1- He is not getting enough money from POF so he is making it more restricted so people will have to buy his "Upgrade" in order to get laid.

2-He is just a stupid White Knight with no mother&**&* balls. Save a Ho as MF.

I am only 22 and I am pissed at this. I was going to troll pof for years. Oh well. I guess I need to start on my fame.

Why would you be angry at the decision? In fact you should be celebrating Markus because he gave you a chance at success. 18-25 year old women (your demographic) will get less messages now so you should have a better shot at them.

[MrXY]

(06-30-2013 04:57 PM)houston Wrote:  

You can choose to Flag a Message now. If you click on the link, a screen comes up that says "You Are Reporting FemaleUser". Has a box to fill in why you're flagging the message and 4 boxes to choose from with these options

- generic one liner (copy/paste message)
- rude or inappropriate
- a bit creepy or weird
- sexual content in a message

So now if guys don't kiss a girl's ass she can report him for being "creepy" or "inappropriate" which are totally meaningless and subjective. As if women don't have too much power in online dating already. I'm sure account deletions will go way up and hopefully POF revenue will go way down

None of this affects me much though since my style is to exchange 4-6 funny nonthreatening messages and then ask for the meet. If she says no, she's dropped

[N°6]

(05-25-2013 01:22 PM)MrXY Wrote:  

I suspect that over the hill gold digger who's latched onto him is behind this. Would only be the millionth time a woman has ruined a thriving business.

Interesting theory, maybe PoF has been Yoko Onoised

[N°6]

(05-27-2013 03:16 AM)Atilla Wrote:  

(05-26-2013 12:28 AM)houston Wrote:  

Can you write on people's pages? How exactly does it work.

It might just be a rating system. I deleted my profile a short while back so I’m making assumptions based on comments here.

(05-25-2013 09:54 PM)cardguy Wrote:  

Why are the dating sites restricted to beautiful people not more popular????

I had a profile on beautifulpeople.com and even attended a casting call around Jan/Feb 2012 for a reality TV show based on the website. It was worth a shot but they were looking for people with more experience dating with the site.

There weren’t enough girls in my immediate area for the site to be useful for me, and even fewer who would sign on regularly and read their messages (responses would come weeks/months later), but the site did expose me to many differences between foreign girls and American girls.

I got onto that site in January 2010. For those who don't know, applicants' photos are judged by the opposite sex for three days to determine if the candidates can become members are not. I got in on my second attempt.

Once in, I made friends with some of the most beautiful, intelligent and friendly women online. I still keep in contact with them years later. The problem was that there was a low density of local women.

The site owners got greedy around July 2010 by introducing premium fees. The active female membership collapsed to be replaced by paying men who were signing up for access to the beautiful women who would not/ could no longer use the site. It became dependent on men's credit cards which meant that the entry requirements had to be relaxed.

A real shame. I think that the model was good as women controlled the number of men getting in and once in, the man was treated with respect thanks to this social proof.

If anyone knows of a site like this, let me know.

[playa]

"You can only contact people +/- 14 years of your age. There is no reason for a 50 year old man to contact a 18 year old women.
[/quote]


That's pretty funny. I bet Marcus is in his 20's maybe 30's. And I bet Marcus has never had to date a 50 year old woman. I'm 57, that means I can't date anyone under 43 in his site? Hilarious. I don't date women over 40. Most of them look like shit. Has Marcus seen what the 50 year old women look like on his own site? They look like my mother, and my mother is 84 (sorry mom, just making a point here). I have only met a handful of woman in their late 40's and 50's that I considered attractive. Most women in that age bracket have already given up on their looks. So according to Marcus, I'm too old to be dating women under 40. What an idiot. Wait until he grows up and reaches my age. I bet he'll have a change of heart then.

[TopPanda]

Currently in Thailand, and was watching some imported US dating show where the woman was discouraging a 45yo man from dating a 23yo woman, even though she was the best option for the guy.

I'm 41 and I have to say the 33-35 age group have been a complete pain in the ass for me to date. Under 30 is the way to go. It's harder to find a younger gf, but if she's easy, she ain't special.

I don't even know my new Thai gf's age. It just hasn't come up in conversation, and why does it matter?

[Cattle Rustler]

Faaaack you marcus! I can't copy/paste more than 4 messages without being caught by your filter!

Just when I found cougar paradise. I'm going back to OKC even if the pond is getting depleted.

Also, how can I know when someone last logged in on POF? I can't seem to find that feature.

[Aliblahba]

^^^That filter caught me too. Just adjust it every other one. Like taking the space out after a period, or long handing instead of combining words with apostrophes. I just blasted out 30 messages and didn't get caught. Yeah, fuck you Marcus! You ain't as smart as you think you fag.

Also, if you're unable to message chicks outside the 10 yr range, just open another account on an alternate email addy with a lower birthdate, then use it to bird dog younger chicks. Copy and paste their user names onto an Excel sheet, then use your real profile to contact them. Problem solved.

Even though Marcus is a pussy cunt face, introducing these obstacles helps those of us smart enough to find work arounds. The masses of thirsty simps will just accept it for what it is.