Reading the tea leaves: where the money is and isn’t - new business models emerge
As Dave Winer and I were discussing how to pull off the unplanned unconference opposite Kevin Werbach’s Supernova - it was the collision of business models that most dominated my mindstate. By defintion if you want to hire a hotel, get nice people to register you, print up pretty brochures and make t-shirts, have signage, badges, AV, coordinated speakers and what not - it takes money.
So that’s why I thought we’d all just how up at a bar and wing it. But Dave says “No!” Unconferences have to be meticulously planned out affairs with dedicated DLs (discussion leaders) who make sure that people don’t ramble on, the conversation keeps moving and that the topic is properly covered. That’s why having great DLs (like Jeff Jarvis) is key to the success of a unconference.
But that misses the point of the infrastructure needed and the implied business model. We still need a place to meet, AV equipment, signage, at least some semblence of a schedule and - most importantly - coffee, water and donuts.
So the business model of conferences still needs to be recognized - even if it is a sponsored driven event - like an unconference can and should be. But when I say ’sponsored driven’ - I don’t mean like DEMO and other Chris Shipley affairs - where you buy your way on stage. I’m talking about like how David Berlind did MashupCamp - where the food was proivided by sponsors - with no demands or questions were asked.
Procuring the space is key as it provides a foundation for everything else that follows - so we’re looking for space right now for our unevent - around June 21-23.
Lets get back to business models. No one in his right mind (except Chris Pirillo) would try and make a living putting on conferences - right? Its the showcase of new technology and products that matter, not trying to make money off of poor schmuck geeks like us and this is where Gnomedex gets it right. They keep the price down, they make it a party (we’ll (BBM) be throwing a party there BTW) and they make sure that DLs lead interesting sessions without speakers - keeping to the unconference model.
So what is this post about - conferences or business models? Well - both. It high time that folks start to learn how to read between the lines when it comes to business models - cause without business models - there ain’t no Web 2.0. It’ll become what happened to Web 1.0 - out of business.
Conferences are key places where we unite cyberpsace and meatspace and I’ve been going to them for over 25 years. In fact I can proudly say I helped changed the nature of conferences (and the parties that are associated with them) back in the 80’s - but that’s another post. For now - lets just leave it at “I’m tired of the same old conferences - but we need some space for our unconference for it to happen.”
Meanwhile when Newsweek announces that they’re releasing their own private label news aggregator - I immediately thought “CONGRATS TO GREG REINACKER!” The Newsgator business model of private labeling is emerging as successful! Where’s Rojo in this game?
And when you hear about Fox offering to split on-line revenues with local network affiliates - this is a big deal! The world of TV needs models that can get them on-line, while this digital convergence world evolves.
And speaking of TV - it’s clear now how Orb is gonna make their money. They released DVR Everywhere - but it wasn’t until we heard about their deal with Cingular (check out Russell Beattie’s review of it) that we now know how Orb can open source their excellent media server technology.
So in that same vein - “how does Technorati make money?” How can they continue to do all the great things they do?
We know how SixApart makes money and SocialText - but what about WordPress, Riya and my friends at PubSub?
I think that by disclosing major deals, bragging about your wins and key accomplishments - we all (the blogosphere) can at least get a clue as to how you’re going to stay alive - besides spending VC money. That way we can feel comnfortable supporting you, relying upon you and and trusting you - moving forward.
This is what Plaxo never did and why I don’t support Plaxo.
So business models really do matter. We’re not here to begrudge Kevin Werbach a few Shekels - its just that we’re tired of hearing from the same people - over and over again.
>We know how SixApart makes money and SocialText -
>but what about WordPress, Riya and my friends at PubSub?
well…maybe not “make” money, but seems wordpress is “taking” money…
Open-Source Blogging Co. Automattic Seals First Round
By VentureWire Staff Reporters
4/14/2006 – Automattic Inc., the maker of the popular blogging software WordPress, has raised an undisclosed amount in a first venture round. [ full story ]
http://www.automattic.com
>We know how SixApart makes money and SocialText -
>but what about WordPress, Riya and my friends at PubSub?
well…maybe not “make” money, but seems wordpress is “taking” money…
Open-Source Blogging Co. Automattic Seals First Round
By VentureWire Staff Reporters
4/14/2006 – Automattic Inc., the maker of the popular blogging software WordPress, has raised an undisclosed amount in a first venture round. [ full story ]
http://www.automattic.com
>We know how SixApart makes money and SocialText -
>but what about WordPress, Riya and my friends at PubSub?
well…maybe not “make” money, but seems wordpress is “taking” money…
Open-Source Blogging Co. Automattic Seals First Round
By VentureWire Staff Reporters
4/14/2006 – Automattic Inc., the maker of the popular blogging software WordPress, has raised an undisclosed amount in a first venture round. [ full story ]
http://www.automattic.com
The place is the big expense, so how about new places. How about a church any day but Sunday? How about schools on Saturdays? A movie theater during a weekday when it’s othewise dark? It still costs money, but not as much. Corporate conference rooms where donation of space is the most powerful form of sponsorship? Any other spots that are under-used?
Also, Dave’s right (of course) about planning unconferences. I attended this one and the discussion leader, a newspaper editor, was just great because she let the flow go where it wanted to go but then she helped it get there.
The place is the big expense, so how about new places. How about a church any day but Sunday? How about schools on Saturdays? A movie theater during a weekday when it’s othewise dark? It still costs money, but not as much. Corporate conference rooms where donation of space is the most powerful form of sponsorship? Any other spots that are under-used?
Also, Dave’s right (of course) about planning unconferences. I attended this one and the discussion leader, a newspaper editor, was just great because she let the flow go where it wanted to go but then she helped it get there.
The place is the big expense, so how about new places. How about a church any day but Sunday? How about schools on Saturdays? A movie theater during a weekday when it’s othewise dark? It still costs money, but not as much. Corporate conference rooms where donation of space is the most powerful form of sponsorship? Any other spots that are under-used?
Also, Dave’s right (of course) about planning unconferences. I attended this one and the discussion leader, a newspaper editor, was just great because she let the flow go where it wanted to go but then she helped it get there.
if someone builds a large unconference space, it would be sweet if the space were designed so that conference attendees could sleep within the conference space itself — youth-hostel style. you could do that with movable walls that slide into place — with fold down beds coming down off the walls.
i don’t need a $125 hotel room when i attend a conference. i just need a clean, quiet bed to rest my body. by reducing the cost of the sleeping space down to $25, you would dramatically change the number of people who could attend the conference. a 200 person conference then becomes a 600 person conference. a 600 person conference becomes a 5000 person conference. and a 5000 person conference becomes a digital woodstock.
are there any rural locations with inexpensive land that are wired for fiber optic (or are otherwise have access to broadband?)
if someone builds a large unconference space, it would be sweet if the space were designed so that conference attendees could sleep within the conference space itself — youth-hostel style. you could do that with movable walls that slide into place — with fold down beds coming down off the walls.
i don’t need a $125 hotel room when i attend a conference. i just need a clean, quiet bed to rest my body. by reducing the cost of the sleeping space down to $25, you would dramatically change the number of people who could attend the conference. a 200 person conference then becomes a 600 person conference. a 600 person conference becomes a 5000 person conference. and a 5000 person conference becomes a digital woodstock.
are there any rural locations with inexpensive land that are wired for fiber optic (or are otherwise have access to broadband?)
if someone builds a large unconference space, it would be sweet if the space were designed so that conference attendees could sleep within the conference space itself — youth-hostel style. you could do that with movable walls that slide into place — with fold down beds coming down off the walls.
i don’t need a $125 hotel room when i attend a conference. i just need a clean, quiet bed to rest my body. by reducing the cost of the sleeping space down to $25, you would dramatically change the number of people who could attend the conference. a 200 person conference then becomes a 600 person conference. a 600 person conference becomes a 5000 person conference. and a 5000 person conference becomes a digital woodstock.
are there any rural locations with inexpensive land that are wired for fiber optic (or are otherwise have access to broadband?)
I love the randomness of the unconference, but as former conference producer who did events with thousands of folks I have to say that at least *some* of the editorial planning should be done in advance. BarCampLA was a great event, but it could have used some “anchors” to build the freewheelin stuff around. You know… pillars and signposts along the way. Like for every 100 minutes of freeform have 20-30 of focused (a 5 to 1 or 3 to 1 ratio).
I love the randomness of the unconference, but as former conference producer who did events with thousands of folks I have to say that at least *some* of the editorial planning should be done in advance. BarCampLA was a great event, but it could have used some “anchors” to build the freewheelin stuff around. You know… pillars and signposts along the way. Like for every 100 minutes of freeform have 20-30 of focused (a 5 to 1 or 3 to 1 ratio).
I love the randomness of the unconference, but as former conference producer who did events with thousands of folks I have to say that at least *some* of the editorial planning should be done in advance. BarCampLA was a great event, but it could have used some “anchors” to build the freewheelin stuff around. You know… pillars and signposts along the way. Like for every 100 minutes of freeform have 20-30 of focused (a 5 to 1 or 3 to 1 ratio).
Marc!
I didn’t say that Orb had a deal with Cingular (they may or may not, but I don’t think so though), I simply said that streaming media from Orb on my desktop works over Cingular’s 3G network using a Samsung ZX10 (which, as it turns out, supports Real video).
-Russ
Marc!
I didn’t say that Orb had a deal with Cingular (they may or may not, but I don’t think so though), I simply said that streaming media from Orb on my desktop works over Cingular’s 3G network using a Samsung ZX10 (which, as it turns out, supports Real video).
-Russ
Marc!
I didn’t say that Orb had a deal with Cingular (they may or may not, but I don’t think so though), I simply said that streaming media from Orb on my desktop works over Cingular’s 3G network using a Samsung ZX10 (which, as it turns out, supports Real video).
-Russ
“- its just that we’re tired of hearing from the same people - over and over again.”
Hey Marc, don’t forget, we’re not all professional conference attendees like you and several others who seem to spend a lot of time at every {X}-Camp or BlogX or XBlog, in any part of the world that these occur spreading the gospel of all things blogging/Web 2.0. I can see how you’re sick of it, however, for the rest of us who do not spend very much time at these events, going to one or two of these a year at most, we some times hear fm these people for the first time.
The number of people who attend every one of these events and is *actually* and are tired of the same speakers, is quite small. The reality is that attendees need to be selective and not go to all of these events…right? Why is it necessary to have 10-20-30 events on these subjects per year if not to educate people at all levels. Don’t begrudge conference styles, perhaps best to just pick and choose the modes that work best for you vs. those that work better for others. While you’re not a fan of structured conferences, I’m not a fan of having a sleepover (Camp anything) to yap about stuff I spend all day thinking and working on. The answer for you s/just be “stop attending so many conferences”
As for biz models, don’t forget, you’ve spent much time begrudging people these, but as I’ve always said to you, they’re key to making *any* of this stuff relevant. Separately, what about middle america who is clueless to 90% of what’s discussed in most of these conferences? Hmmm…I’ll leave that to be pondered about
“- its just that we’re tired of hearing from the same people - over and over again.”
Hey Marc, don’t forget, we’re not all professional conference attendees like you and several others who seem to spend a lot of time at every {X}-Camp or BlogX or XBlog, in any part of the world that these occur spreading the gospel of all things blogging/Web 2.0. I can see how you’re sick of it, however, for the rest of us who do not spend very much time at these events, going to one or two of these a year at most, we some times hear fm these people for the first time.
The number of people who attend every one of these events and is *actually* and are tired of the same speakers, is quite small. The reality is that attendees need to be selective and not go to all of these events…right? Why is it necessary to have 10-20-30 events on these subjects per year if not to educate people at all levels. Don’t begrudge conference styles, perhaps best to just pick and choose the modes that work best for you vs. those that work better for others. While you’re not a fan of structured conferences, I’m not a fan of having a sleepover (Camp anything) to yap about stuff I spend all day thinking and working on. The answer for you s/just be “stop attending so many conferences”
As for biz models, don’t forget, you’ve spent much time begrudging people these, but as I’ve always said to you, they’re key to making *any* of this stuff relevant. Separately, what about middle america who is clueless to 90% of what’s discussed in most of these conferences? Hmmm…I’ll leave that to be pondered about
“- its just that we’re tired of hearing from the same people - over and over again.”
Hey Marc, don’t forget, we’re not all professional conference attendees like you and several others who seem to spend a lot of time at every {X}-Camp or BlogX or XBlog, in any part of the world that these occur spreading the gospel of all things blogging/Web 2.0. I can see how you’re sick of it, however, for the rest of us who do not spend very much time at these events, going to one or two of these a year at most, we some times hear fm these people for the first time.
The number of people who attend every one of these events and is *actually* and are tired of the same speakers, is quite small. The reality is that attendees need to be selective and not go to all of these events…right? Why is it necessary to have 10-20-30 events on these subjects per year if not to educate people at all levels. Don’t begrudge conference styles, perhaps best to just pick and choose the modes that work best for you vs. those that work better for others. While you’re not a fan of structured conferences, I’m not a fan of having a sleepover (Camp anything) to yap about stuff I spend all day thinking and working on. The answer for you s/just be “stop attending so many conferences”
As for biz models, don’t forget, you’ve spent much time begrudging people these, but as I’ve always said to you, they’re key to making *any* of this stuff relevant. Separately, what about middle america who is clueless to 90% of what’s discussed in most of these conferences? Hmmm…I’ll leave that to be pondered about
anyone know where to download free games for the zx10, it says here http://www.cellphonestalk.com/cellphonereviews/samsung/zx10/intro.html
Thanks to J2ME (Java 2, Micro Edition) tons of cell phone games, ringtones, wallpapers and screensavers can be downloaded onto the phone. With 50mb of internal memory, users can allocate even more memory or storage space via a TransFlash memory expansion slot.
anyone know where to download free games for the zx10, it says here http://www.cellphonestalk.com/cellphonereviews/samsung/zx10/intro.html
Thanks to J2ME (Java 2, Micro Edition) tons of cell phone games, ringtones, wallpapers and screensavers can be downloaded onto the phone. With 50mb of internal memory, users can allocate even more memory or storage space via a TransFlash memory expansion slot.
anyone know where to download free games for the zx10, it says here http://www.cellphonestalk.com/cellphonereviews/samsung/zx10/intro.html
Thanks to J2ME (Java 2, Micro Edition) tons of cell phone games, ringtones, wallpapers and screensavers can be downloaded onto the phone. With 50mb of internal memory, users can allocate even more memory or storage space via a TransFlash memory expansion slot.