Opinions Wanted : New Product
 

I was just appointed CEO of BlackBoxRepublic.com

The investors put $800,000 into this site and in the end their business model is flawed. I was brought in to do what I do best, clean up messes and make something profitable.

The entire platform is built in Java, in a cloud computing environment. It's a cool new way of looking at social networking and sexuality using neat sliders to form a profile that moves, for example Gay-Straight, Married-Looking may change in % daily. It's very expensive and very high end. The business model I'm applying is a dating site affiliate model. Free members can use the social networking features which give privacy and integration with Facebook and Twitter:
-User goes by handle not name so when posting to wall within blackbox you are
anonymous and can say basically whatever you want.
-Site will be wrapped around facebook so you can do everything within facebook and
twitter without leaving your blackbox.
-A "public" and "Private" switch will determine if something gets posted for everyone to
see or just on the wall within your blackbox.
-The system will allow you to see and search for love matches based on your sliding
profile. you can also join and create groups (like S&M or Swinging)
-To actually PM a love match, you have to be a paying customer (just like regular
dating sites) at $29 per month

The affiliate program will be $30 pps for paying customers, and maybe(eventually) something for every free member but not quite sure how I'm going to implement that out of the gate. Another thought was to allow affiliates to own the main banner spot for free members they refer so they can market to them. I'm having geotargeted banners made, flash banners, etc.

The thought is that the leading edge social networking tools will keep people coming, along with the clear privacy benefit, and being in there, seeing the love matches all the time is going to entice people to become paying members.

There will also be flash games and virtual gifts as well. this stuff has to be done. Currently the site is just like facebook in function but without the full facebook integration.

Oh the other thing that's cool is to sign up, you will only need your facebook user/pass and the data will be populated if you like.

Feedback is welcomed. And remember, the money is sunk already so I'm reviving the business model. Also keep in mind, that the development is not yet finished.

Thoughts?

Nothing? Where's my bros?