Mashable - The Social Media Guide - Latest Comments in ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

daniel doran — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 02:17:50 -0000

kesley clark is a fraud!!!!!!!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Enrique Dubois — Sun, 10 Sep 2006 18:53:50 -0000

As an entrepreneur myself, I personally like to wish good luck to everyone that starts a new venture.

About the site, i am not sure if people actually wants to become a web celebrity at all.

Good Luck Bryan!

Enrique Dubois

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Pete Cashmore — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 13:04:13 -0000

Geek,

Actually, the Mashable readers are *much* cooler than those on the other sites you mention. :)

What's more, anecdotal reports suggest that a link on a major blog drives more traffic and sign-ups than a mention in the NYTimes. But yes, this is definitely turning into an interesting comment thread.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Markus — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 11:29:41 -0000

As useless as www.millionaires24.com

Where's the photo of Brian standing there in a shiny suit in front of the velvet rope wearing a faux gold chain with clipboard in hand, holding his friends in line so other people will think there are more than 2 people inside?

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Geek — Sat, 09 Sep 2006 04:12:11 -0000

I hate to tell you Bryan, but we're all geeks here on Mashable. Same goes for TechCrunch, PostBubble, etc. This is not "buzz" and for many startups like yours, we're not your demographic. Buzz is when you're being written about in the New York Times, BusinessWeek, etc.

The problem I see with so many social networking services is that the founders believe that when they launch, the world is going to care. In 2003, 2004 and 2005 this may have been possible, but it's not anymore, even if you're doing something truly innovative. There are so many social networks out there that there's real fatigue. You can't just put out a press release or get reviewed on TechCrunch and expect that to generate a snowball effect. In fact, most of the people I know who have been reviewed on these sites see some traffic and registrations, but it's mostly just geeks checking the site out and never returning.

I don't know your strategy, your business model or your relevant experience so like Pete, I'll reserve judgement. But I would certainly give you the advice that if you're expecting to launch next month, issue a press release and get a few writeups from Web 2.0 bloggers and suddenly gain massive nationwide attention, I think you're going to be disappointed. You're competing against the majors (MySpace, Facebook), upstarts and the web celebrity services like Xuqa, Bix, etc. Also be sure to check out MingleNow which just got a review on TechCrunch.

It plays up the VIP aspect too so others are trying this angle too. Most founders will come back and say that they're different, but the initial impression is that they're very similar so whoever executes best and gains traction first will have the best shot.

So can you be successful with a new social networking service? Sure. But it's not easy. You can't just talk the talk. You need to have substance, something novel and innovative and clear differentiation that compels people to use your service. And don't focus on "doubters". If the only drive you have for building your site now is to prove people wrong, it's not going to work out. Focus on building a solid business and maybe you'll find the success you're looking for. Good luck!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

WormInBuffet — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:35:35 -0000

Wow, this is turning from spam into a flame war. Look dude, we're not bad mouthing the site. It's not launched so who knows if it'll work. The point is...and I am not targeting you specificially...that owners of sites that are reviewed should not start spamming the comments. I see this on Digg and other sites. It just makes reading the comments a waste of time. I remember a bunch of other reviews that had this problem...like popsugar.com. jesus, there were about 60 comments for that review and it was all crap like..."oh, this is my cup of tea. I can't wait to tell my friends about it."

your project will work based on its own merit. it's not about buzz, hype, or hack programming. craigslist and myspace are great examples.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 18:26:56 -0000

In reply to the random reader, this is the first article about the site so naturally i'm going to inform my friends about it. No, they are not Mashable readers, but they are part of the demographic I am targeting. The people who posted are real, and not the same person. You can check the ip's, facebook them, do whatever.

To all the negativity going around, keep it coming. There would be no satisfaction in achieving your goals if it wasn't for doubters. The fact that you took time to Google the site pleases me.

All I wanted was a buzz created about the site, and I have achieved that. Whether it be positive or negative, you guy's are talking about the site, so thank you. :D

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Good Night & Good Luck — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 16:05:42 -0000

Nice damage control Bryan. You're building a social networking service and your friends are the best people to seed it and beta test it but you didn't tell them about it? And somehow they're all Mashable readers and were amazed to find this article and hear that their good friend Bryan has been working on this hot project? Nice try.

Best of luck to you. You're going to need it. I see from your posts around the web that you have been posting ads for programmers and want to pay $15,600 for 6 months of work to build the site. From my experience, you get what you pay for and you'll be extremely lucky to get a quality, scalable product from somebody willing to accept that amount. And MySQL is a horrible choice so if you're successful hope you have a lot of money for hardware.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:59:53 -0000

actually the comments are from friends who i haven't told the concept to, this is their first time to fully hear about the project; as to the who the hell cares comment, we'll see when the site launches.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Pete Cashmore — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:10:37 -0000

WormInBuffet,

Actually, these are extremely common. Most of the time, I don't bother approving the comments, but on this occasion I thought it was worth displaying them.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

WormInBuffet — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:07:14 -0000

Is it just me or are the comments on these blogs (mashable + techcrunch) becoming the new form of spam. Reviewing a new site/service is fine and I actually enjoy finding out about new sites...but the comments from the insiders just makes me puke. As if making positive comments will make or break your project. Just stop it!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Pete Cashmore — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 11:09:05 -0000

Rob,

Please refer to my first comment. And in my defense, this is one of the few times that I've ever reviewed a site prior to the beta test.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Dennis Eusebio — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 10:29:32 -0000

nothing says vip like stock photography from the early 90's. when are people going to start paying money for some honest to god design.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Anshul — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 06:22:20 -0000

The concept seems nice and new. But as said in the post, it needs some time to pass the test.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Sharpshoot — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 06:03:35 -0000

See www.amiworthit.com for the college market

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Kevom — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 04:14:38 -0000

hehe very fishy indeed :)

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 02:20:45 -0000

thanks for the criticizm, always looking to hear what people have to say on both sides of the spectrum

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Paid Shill — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 02:01:12 -0000

This is awesome! I can't wait!! This will be the best thing since sliced bread! Can somebody say the next Google? I already have 600,000 of my friends ready to sign up. Don't get left behind on this one!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Rob La Gesse — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 01:55:23 -0000

Oh for crying out loud = how can people really applaud this?First you haven't seen it, so you have an incomplete review, and second, the premise is STUPID!

If I work really hard to get "popular" I get... something? I'm sick of these BS websites. Let me know up front what I need to do and what I get for doing it.

I would rather spend a week taking Internet Polls about ANYTHING than be subjected to yet another "you do all of the work for us to help us build a brand and we will give you.... something".

Why do you even report on these sites? Right now they are vaporware. At best next week the site will be one of the "real companies that takes advantage of their users".

*sigh*

Rob

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Pete Cashmore — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:38:13 -0000

OK, some very fishy comments coming in. Good luck with your site, guys, but please refrain from astroturfing, or inviting others to do so. Once again, good luck with the site.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

T. Reb — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:33:52 -0000

I think this website is promising, i have not seen anything around like it. I think people will like the idea of having a networking website that actually has events. I look forward to seeing this site in action.

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Savannah Gonzalez — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:32:38 -0000

Well this was a very interesting article. How can you judge something you obviously don't know anything about? This is a good concept but why not wait until the website launches before you make these snap comments. Personally, i can not wait for the website to launch. It's going to be a great way to meet new people but in a sophisticated manner! Thanks Bryan for all your hard work!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Mallory Farris — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:19:42 -0000

This sounds like a great idea! I can't wait for it to be up and running!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Kesley Clark — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 00:06:47 -0000

i think its a great idea.. not only do you get to rate other members, but anyone can sign up, which will provide greater options for singles to mingle lol!! Even though the site is under construction I already like the look of what Mr. Tompson is trying to achieve. I know I will sign up and see how I fare againt the opinion of others. Being one of the top 10 girls is my new goal.. Keep up the good work!!! I cant wait till your project is up and running!!

Re: ChosenVIP to Launch Exclusive Social Networking Site

Pete Cashmore — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 23:51:31 -0000

I just remembered why I never review sites that haven't launched yet: the posts are always shallow and light on opinion. Should probably hold off longer on some of these.