You are right that you can’t make money from people (college studends) who don’t have it… not on something they “need” instead of a want.

The biggest ones don’t require much programming- first, change your system to offer a “freemium” service. Then offer more services for more money.

Right now I don’t see anywhere where you are charging a fee. You need to make that clear somewhere on your “signup” page. “Sign up for free” keep that but make it clear that up there are packages they can subscribe to.

Don’t go the ads route… charge a fee… there is not too much susbcription based stuff… there is too little of it. Just remember the power of multiplication and don’t try to charge too much– if you have a $4.95 a month package and get a thousand groups subsrcibing you may be able to quit your new job.

Once you have your packages and prices set up (and your payment system) then use GOOGLE and Yahoo and other ad networks to drive the traffic… bid VERY low on your keywords… you don’t want to be at the top of the GOOGLE list… people are shoppers and they don’t buy at the first place they shop (the most expensive place to be on GOOGLE)…. you want someone who has clicked to the second page or has at least scrolled to the bottom.

As for the markets to reach- hum… who works in groups that are not located together? AND MAKE MONEY DOING IT… I think political groups are good to target (you are)– even in super small local races…
who else… I don’t know- but I want to help you make a living from this however I can… just get in touch with me. You’ve worked to hard to fold it up.

So I pose another question — anybody know good resources or, even better, great PEOPLE to talk to about getting involved in an engineering role?

Maybe this could be alleviated by your point, Joe Budde (by the way, Joe and are from the same hometowns and went to middle / high school together).

Also, it’s expensive as anything to outfit a SAAS such as Groupvine to talk to ERP systems like that, from my research.

I agree with your second point — what are the indirect ways we can create cashflow while adding value? Maybe the straight subscription fees aren’t it. Maybe it’s being done too much.

Maybe we could do something a la Peanut Labs’ approach. (www.peanutlabs.com)

I agree it’s probably tough to get students to pay for anything. Look to other ways to monetize, but still give them the ability to use your complete product. Having their school pay is one option. Also, advertising or affiliate programs could pay for it, if you find the right ones.

Reward helpful members in the group with cash bonuses or equity or something… perhaps a Wii, I know I want one.

I would be more than willing to help out and push it to the next level for some halfway legit start-up experience.

“powered by Groupvine”

Hey Adam, great question.

So I’ve spent about a year both getting to know and playing in the higher ed space. At the same time I’ve had discussions with tons of people that embody different markets.

I’m convinced there are people and groups in other markets that have more acute needs and are willing to pay for something they value. In the college market, I’ve found it difficult, time-consuming and cumbersome to get people to pay for something even if they value it in this space.

So why realign now? Both myself and GV are at a crossroads, and this is the perfect time to realign.

Why change focus if you are going to work full-time? Do you have time to look into a new market?