Month: January 2015

Check Out Demographics Of Potential Target Markets

Posted on January 11, 2015

OPW – Jan 11 – A great way for you to estimate the demographics of some potential target markets is to peruse city-data.com.

Marital Status For Females
City-data.com has a very nice interactive map. You can toodle around and check out the USA market and see which states have the highest proportion of marrieds. Income, ancestry, age, occupation, population data for free. It's a handy tool for you if you're considering where to focus your marketing dollars. Especially if you're just starting your dating site, or private label / white label dating site.

Read the full post on Courtland Brooks blog

Post by Mark Brooks @ Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Recommended Reads From The CEO Of Zhenai

Posted on January 10, 2015

Zhenai dr song li jan 2015OPW – Jan 10 – From time to time I'll ask the CEOs of top iDating companies what books they read and recommend.  Here's what Dr Song Li, the founder and CEO of high-flying Zhenai in China recommends as commendable books. – Mark Brooks

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For the past decade during which I have been an entrepreneur, I have read a lot of books on business and psychology. I have found 90% of them to be a complete waste of time as far as the practicality is concerned. But the following books have been useful to me as a business practitioner.

Personal Management:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

Entrepreneurship:
I Can Make You Rich by Paul McKenna
Zero to One by Peter Thiel
Direct from Dell by Michael Dell

Management:
How Google Works by Eric Schmidt
Wining by Jack Welsh
Execution: The Discipline of Getting Things Done by Larry Bossidy

Strategy:
The 80/20 Principle by Richard Koch
Blue Ocean Strategy by Chang Kim

Marketing:
Positioning by Al Ries and Jack Trout
The 21 Immutable Laws of Marketing by Al Ries and Jack Trout
Crossing the Chasm by Geoffrey Moore
The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell

Product Development:
Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Innovation, Clayton Christensen:
The Innovator's Dilemma
The Innovator"s Solution
The Innovator's DNA

For me personally, the books above contain all the business theories I ever need to start and build a company, so I keep going back to read them instead of reading more books. The rest I just learn by practicing/trials & errors. Over the years, I have come to believe:

  1. that at least as far as a business practitioner is concerned, there are only a handful of books worth reading. How do I know? I have read probably 20 times as many business books as these listed. Only these books have been worth my second-reading and I have really applied the principles in these books to my entrepreneurial work.  The other 200-300 business and applied psychology books I read made no difference to my career.
  2. What's important is to identify the most useful books for you. What's useful to one person may not be useful to another person. Read them over and over. Quality is more important than quantity in order to really reach epiphanies, so to speak.

See all posts on Zhenai

Post by Mark Brooks @ Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Courtem Brings Chivalry To Dating Apps

Posted on January 9, 2015

Courtem logoCULTURE MAP – Jan 8 – Much like Tinder, users receive a bunch of profiles, and they can look through pictures and see mutual Facebook friends. From there, however, they have the option to “Pass” if there’s no interest, “Hold” on to the profile for later or “Court.” If they pick the third option, users are prompted to propose a date in 140 characters or less and schedule a time for said date. So far, Courtem has more than 1,300 users in Dallas in less than a month of activity.

by Jonathan Rienstra
See full article at CultureMap

Summarized by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Grindr For Equality Campaign

Posted on January 9, 2015

Grindr for equality campaignSO SO GAY – Jan 8 – Over 250K Grindr users worldwide have helped raise the profile of a range of equality issues, from human rights to sexual health, last year. The campaign continues to request submissions and information pertaining to the LGBT community where users live; individuals and like-minded groups are encouraged to send an email with basic contact information and a brief description of how the issue relates to the LGBT community, and how the campaign could provide assistance.

by Elliot Herman
The full article was originally published at So So Gay, but is no longer available.

See all posts on Grindr

Summarized by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Bristlr Accidentally Revolutionizing Online Dating

Posted on January 9, 2015

Bristlr logoWASHINGTON POST – Jan 8 – Bristlr is a social network for guys with beards that will, among other things, tell you when you’re being message-spammed. The app is introducing some innovations that could add critical social context back to online dating. Aside from a copy/paste notification, the company is working on a rating feature that will let users grade the quality of their correspondents’ messages.

by Caitlin Dewey
See full article at Washington Post

Summarized by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

The Grade, Dating Grades For New York City Boroughs

Posted on January 9, 2015

The grade lotoPR NEWSWIRE – Jan 7 - The Grade uses a proprietary algorithm that assigns letter grades to users ranging from "A+" to "F" based on three categories: profile quality, message quality, and responsiveness. The data shows that Manhattan men and women ranked highest on average with an "A" grade driven by quality user profiles, while Bronx men and women received on average an "F" grade due to low profile scores and poor message quality. Since its launch on November 10th, The Grade has gained traction in NYC with over 750K swipes, 6K matches, and 25K messages from NYC singles.

The full article was originally published at IT BusinessNet, but is no longer available.

See all posts on The Grade

Summarized by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Train Spottings: Matchmaking For New Yorkers On The Move

Posted on January 8, 2015

Trainspottings headerLA TIMES – Jan 8 – Erika Christensen started Train Spottings, a matchmaking service for New York's subway riders. "If you want to meet someone, you have to go where people are. They're on the subway," said Christensen, who launched Train Spottings two years ago. Train Spottings recently claimed its first marriage. Erika approaches both men and women on the subway platforms and asks them whether they are single. If they say yes, she gives them her business card.

by Tina Susman
See full article at LA Times

Summarized by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Affiliate Network Payouts Spreadsheet Update

Posted on January 8, 2015

Affiliate commissionsOPW – Jan 8 – You can now download the latest update to the Courtland Brooks Affiliate Network Payouts spreadsheet, designed to provide affiliate marketers and dating site owners with a comprehensive list of the affiliate programs in the industry. We've added OnlineDatingCash.com and Together Networks offers.

Post by Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Crazy Sexy iDate Speakers List

Posted on January 7, 2015

Idate2015 logoOPW – Jan 7 – Here's all the speakers at iDate for Jan 20-22. Crazy! Plenty of value here, and camaraderie. I'll be attending with Irena and two Courtland Brooks senior team members. I've highlighted speakers that I either know to be exceptional, or new people that I'll definitely be seeing speak because I think they're going to rock!  Items in red, I think you'd be crazy to miss.

  • VP at eHarmony, Grant Langston, eH+, Matchmaking and Online Dating
  • Director at Midwest Region, FTC – Federal Trade Commission, Steve Baker, Enforcement of Dating Fraud
  • Commentator at CNN, Dr. Wendy Walsh, Building a Solid Sales Strategy for Matchmakers and Dating Coaches
  • CEO & Principal Consultant at Courtland Brooks, Mark Brooks, 2014 Year in Review: The Online Personals Industry ???  :-)
  • Head of Product Management at Google, Tom Kershaw, Keynote Address: Big Data and Dating
  • Relationships Editor at Essence Magazine, Charreah Jackson, Viral Dating Content
  • CEO of Date.com, Meir Strahlberg, Final Panel Debate
  • CEO of Namoro Online, Marcos Veira, The Brazilian Online Dating Market
  • CEO of SNAP Interactive, Cliff Lerner, Final Panel Debate
  • CEO of Cyber Dating Expert, Julie Spira, ESSENCE Panel: Expert Date Coaches on PR & How to Become a Brand
  • CEO of Seeking Arrangement, Brandon Wade, Panel: Fraud Prevention and Identity – a Spectrum of Technologies
  • CEO of Thunder Road, Michael McQuown, PanelL: Fraud Prevention and Identity – a Spectrum of Technologies
  • CEO of Privy.net, Stephen C. Liu, Global Asian and Far East Dating Market
  • Professor of Psychology at University of Texas at Austin, Dr. David Buss, Tech and Dating Behaviour – Are People Showing Up for Their Dates?
  • CEO of Mamba, Andrei Bronetskiy, iDate Conversation with Andrei Bronetskiy
  • Author of Hooked, Nir Eyal, Developing a Habit Forminng Dating App
  • CEO of Dating Website Review, Jason Lee, CNN Panel: Focus on Content Marketing & Industry Trends
  • CEO of Scam Survivors, Wayne May, Panel: Fraud Prevention and Identity – a Spectrum of Technologies
  • CEO of Oasis Dating Network, Dave Heysen, The Australian Online and Mobile Dating Market
  • Managing Director at The Vida Consultancy, Rachel MacLynn, Panel: Matchmaking CEO Growth Ideas
  • International Marketing Manager at Yandex, Melissa McDonald, The Russian Online Dating Market for 2015: Through the Eyes of Search
  • CEO of Dating Factory, Tanya Fathers, Panel: Software for Dating
  • CEO of PCB Agency, Paul Carrick Brunson, The Biggest Mistakes I Made Making A Million Dollars in Matchmaking
  • President at Best Dating Sites, David Perez, CNN Panel: Focus on Content Marketing & Industry Trends
  • CEO at Carmelia Ray Matchmaking, Carmelia Ray, State of the Art of Boutique Matchmaking: 2014 Review
  • CEO of Hey Lets, Justin Parfitt, Social Discovery – Trends and Direction
  • VP at PG Dating Pro, Irina Stepanova, Panel: Software for Dating
  • CEO of MyLab Box, Ursula Hessenflow, Online Dating Meets Digital Health: STD Testing
  • Senior Partner at International Dating Coach Association (IDCA), Arthur Malov, IDCA Dating Coach Training and Certification Program
  • Partner at Solving Mobile, Brian Gruschcow, Mobile Marketing for Dating
  • Co-founder of Bloveit, Ugo Ezeamuzie, Post Matching Dating Options
  • CEO of Aligned Signs, Jessica Baker, Dating and Astrology
  • CEO of The Hub People, Michael O'Sullivan, Panel: Software for Dating
  • Senior Partner at International Dating Coach Association (IDCA), Hunt Ethridge, IDCA Dating Coach Training and Certification Program
  • co-Founder of BeehiveID, Dr. Alex Kilpatrick, Panel: Fraud Prevention and Identity – a Spectrum of Technologies
  • CEO of The Professional Wingman, Thomas Edwards, Wingman Under Attack
  • CEO of Personal Dating Assistants, Matthew Valentines, Demographics of the Personal Dating Assistants Market
  • CEO of eDating for Free, Doron Kim, Panel: Matchmaking CEO Growth Ideas
  • President & CEO of Dimoco, Kolja Reiss, Panel: Latest Mobile and Online Payment Issues for Dating / Compliance with ROSCA
  • Founder & President at Conversion Squared, Ophir Laizerovich, Dating Affiliate Viewpoints for Affiliate Managers
  • CEO of Spark Starter, Tony Kramer, CEO Therapy
  • Dating Coach at Laurel House, Laurel House, Women's Empowerment and How Dating is Changing
  • CEO of TaiLopez, Tai Lopez, New Rules of Marketing: Getting One Million People to Pay Attention to Your Idea
  • Director of Sales at Scamalytics, Dave Wiseman, Enforcement of Dating Fraud
  • CEO of Elite Image Makeovers, Kimberly Seltzer, Panel: Dating Events
  • CEO of Dishcrawl, Tracy Lee, Panel: Dating Events
  • CEO of Lovendar, Ellona Ferson, CEO Therapy
  • Sales Director at DQ&A, Richard Ramsey, Dating Affiliate Conversion Strategy
  • CEO of Professional Match, Steve Dakota, Methods for Dating Affiliates to Improve Traffic and Conversions in 2015
  • CEO & Dating Coach at DeAnna Lorraine, DeAnna Lorraine, Panel: Dating Events
  • CEO of Santa Barbara Matchmaking, Lisa Darsonval, Panel: Matchmaking CEO Growth Ideas
  • CEO of SMB Master, Pat Ness, Creating High Converting Landing Pages for Your Dating Products and Services
  • CEO of Paymentwall, Honor Gunday, Panel: Latest Mobile and Online Payment Issues for Dating / Compliance with ROSCA
  • CEO of Julie Ferman Associates, Julie Ferman, State of the Art of Boutique Matchmaking: 2014 Review
  • CEO of The Catch, Shannon Ong, Post Matching Dating Options
  • Affiliate Charles Ngo, Dating Affiliate Viewpoints for Affiliate Managers
  • CEO of Dates and Mates, Damona Hoffman, Panel: Dating Events
  • CEO of Singles Advice, Renée Piane, ESSENCE Panel: Expert Date Coaches on PR & How to Become a Brand
  • CEO of CouponPal, Scott Elling, Online Coupon Trends and Dating Offers that Work
  • CEO of Events and Adventures, Mark Owen, Panel: Dating Events
  • CEO of Agape Match, Maria Avgitidis, State of the Art of Boutique Matchmaking: 2014 Review
  • Head of New Business Digital Entertainment at Paysafecard, Thomas Pinter, Panel: Latest Mobile and Online Payment Issues for Dating / Compliance with ROSCA
  • CEO of eFlirt Expert, Laurie Davis Edwards, CNN Panel: Expert Date Coaches on PR & How to Become a Brand
  • Sociologist at UCLA, Jessica Carbino, Tech and Dating Behaviour – Are People Showing Up for Their Dates?
  • CEO of DC Matchmaking, Michelle Jacoby, State of the Art of Boutique Matchmaking: 2014 Review
  • Dating Coach at International Dating Coach Association (IDCA), Antonia Geno, IDCA Dating Coach Training and Certification Program
  • CEO of Final Match, Natacha Noel, Panel: Matchmaking CEO Growth Ideas
  • CEO of The Inner Circle, David Vermeulen, CEO Therapy
  • Senior Matchmaker at The Vida Consultancy, Leila Benton-Jones, State of the Art of Boutique Matchmaking: 2014 Review
  • CEO of Marnis Wing Girl Method, Marni Kinrys, ESSENCE Panel: Expert Date Coaches on PR & How to Become a Brand
  • Owner of SinglesDatingAdviceBlog.com, Diane Villa, Consumer Dating Experiences
  • CEO of Final Match, Kristina Lynn, Panel: Matchmaking CEO Growth Ideas

Full Disclosure, yup BeehiveID are a client of Courtland Brooks, but Alex rocks.  You should definitely check out his presentation.

Post by Mark Brooks @ Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting

Spark Networks Shutters Hurrydate

Posted on January 7, 2015

Hurrydate logo jan 15OPW – Jan 7 – All things have a beginning and an end, and today marks the end of Hurrydate after 14 years in business. The company was started by Ken Deckinger and Adele (Testani) Tongish. This speed dating company was acquired by Spark Networks in 2007. 

Ken left Hurrydate in 2009 and in 2013 started JessMeetKen, a promising little dating app where women put forward their male friends as venerable for dating. So all the guys have at least one woman vouching for them. We like this 'social dating' spin because it effectively bridges the age-old divide between social networking and Internet dating. Social networks have a vouching process that dating sites lack. Dating sites give users privacy, so its tough to get that social vouching process to work in the world of Internet dating. Ken met his wife in a similar process, and they've branded themselves heavily into the dating site storyline, which is great!

Adele left Spark/Hurrydate in 2013. I'll ask her what she's up to and update this post shortly.

These kinds of events businesses can be quite onerous to run. The problem is, Internet dating is a very different kind of business and is a superior business. You should only ever hook an events business to your Internet dating business as a branding piece, and then make damn sure the events are A1 experiences. Otherwise the entire exercise will rapidly become an entire waste of time and actually quite detrimental to your core business.  A certain very vocal and social portion of your audience loves events. Its a good idea to captivate them. They're a good audience to have in your fold, provided you please them.  But don't expect your events business numbers to outshine your Internet dating business.  They won't. And the events business will be the one that keeps you up at night. Therein lies the challenge, for the motley few.

Meanwhile, premium speed dating company Fastlife endures under POF, Predating was sold by Cupid back to its original owner, Speeddater.co.uk s still being operated by Cupid/Together Networks for the UK, 8 Minute Dating somehow endures, and long-standing regional speed-dating outfits like 10 minute dating (San Francisco) malinger and die. 

Thanks to Carl at Slowdating.com for giving me a heads up on this morsel of news.

UPDATE: Adele is working with Ken again, and is actually the person responsible for introducing Ken to Jess! 🙂

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Post by Mark Brooks @ Courtland Brooks Internet Dating Marketing Consulting