Here's one thing that's clearer than ever after Facebook's IPO mess: Google has a magic money making machine, and it's possible no other internet company will ever have the same sort of (relatively) easy success.
The number one comparison point for Facebook as it headed towards an IPO was Google. Facebook, like Google, was a giant web company that had hundreds of millions of users. Facebook, like Google, was working on highly-targeted ads that could hit hundreds of millions of consumers.
But a funny thing happened on Facebook's path to becoming Google 2.0 (from a business perspective). Everyone suddenly realized Facebook's ads aren't that good. And everyone realized that Facebook's ads, while very good at targeting, aren't nearly as powerful or effective as Google's.
And then everyone realized Facebook isn't going to have its own magic money making machine. If it's going to make lots of money, it's going to be more of a grind to figure it out.
In our newsroom, someone threw out a good analogy for Facebook's ad business*: It's like you're at a party, standing around, talking to your friends, and someone made the posters on the wall advertisements. Maybe you'll look at them, but they're not really what you're there to do.
Google, on the other hand, is like you're walking through a grocery store looking for whatever you need and the advertiser gets to jump in at the last second and offer you what you're looking for.
As Chris Dixon has written, successful online advertising is all about purchasing intent. How do you capture commercial consumer interest?
Google's entire business is based on people asking commercial questions and giving advertisers an opportunity to provide the top 2-3 answers to the question.
That's an amazing business. And it's one Facebook doesn't have.
That's not say Facebook isn't going to figure out a way to make gobs and gobs of money. It has 900 million users. It has a team of super smart people looking to solve a hard problem. It can figure something out.
It's just not likely to be a magical money making machine like what Google has.
Don't Miss: Here's What Could Happen Next To Facebook's Stock
*We apologize if this analogy was from somewhere else and we didn't realize. Credit to whoever came up with it.
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The Business Finance Store Discusses Business Loan Scams - YAHOO!
The Business Finance Store discusses some things small businesses should look out for to avoid falling victim to loan scams.
Santa Ana, CA (PRWEB) June 03, 2012
As Father’s Day approaches, the Better Business Bureau published a list of potential scams that consumers should look out for around this holiday season. News sources generally place warnings for consumers, like this one from the Better Business Bureau. However, one scam that is generally not discussed is that of small businesses being ripped off by loan scams. Financing for a small business is no easy task and getting help in obtaining financing is a great solution. However, small business owners need to be wary of who is helping them get financing. In the recent blog post “Want to Avoid Business Loan Scams? Here's How,” The Business Finance Store discusses some things small businesses should look out for to avoid falling victim to loan scams.Business loan scams are not always easy to spot. However, knowing what to look out for can help small businesses in need of financing make sure they don’t fall for loan scams. Read more about how to avoid a loan scam and obtaining safe business financing at The Business Finance Store Blog.
The Business Finance Store is a business financing and consulting firm that offers customized Business Financial Solutions. Seasoned professionals offer assistance in a variety of financial solutions to help small businesses succeed such as: Business Financial Solutions, Legal Solutions, and Accounting Solutions.
The staff at The Business Finance Store understands that starting and growing a business is an exciting time. They keep it exciting by taking care of some of the most difficult aspects, by providing legal advice, helping with vital responsibilities like accounting & bookkeeping, and by obtaining business finance. They can quickly and easily guide entrepreneurs through many different complicated processes and put them on the path to success.
For 10 years The Business Finance Store has been helping startups and other small businesses legally structure their companies, find the right franchises, get the funding they need, and achieve the American Dream of owning their own successful business. Since expanding nationwide in 2007, they have helped thousands of companies and have funded over $60 Million in business credit lines, not including SBA loans. The Business Finance Store sees limitless potential in the current climate, and looks forward to many strong years of growth to come. Take some time to review their services, and give them a call.
For more information, or a free, no-obligation analysis of your business needs, visit The Business Finance Store website: http://www.businessfinancestore.com. A member of their professional staff will contact you to discuss your business' short and long-term goals. Whatever you need, The Business Finance Store is there.
Kelly Rye
The Business Finance Store
(949) 777-5959
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Money, Dedication Likely Why Bucs Went With Clark Over Winslow - The Ledger
But the move was more than just numbers. Clark's professionalism will go a long way in the locker room of the young Bucs.
Clark was signed as a free agent after being released by the Indianapolis Colts, who purged most of their team. Winslow was traded to the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional seventh-round pick.
If the team goes strictly by the numbers, the deal would never have been made. The two have basically the same numbers over their careers. Winslow is 28, 6-foot-4 and 240 pounds, while Clark is 32, 6-foot-3 and 252 pounds.
Winslow has 10 more catches, while Clark has 51 more receiving yards. Their average per catch is nearly identical (Clark 11.4 to Winslow's 11.1).
The major difference, strictly by the numbers, is in touchdown receptions, where Clark has a 2-to-1 edge over Winslow (46 to 23).
That alone could have made a difference although Winslow's fans could counter with the past three years.
During that span, Winslow did not miss a game and averaged 72 catches during that time.
Clark, who battled injuries, has averaged 11 games and 57 catches over the same time period.
While critics will likely point out Bucs special assistant Butch Davis had something to do with Winslow being traded (the duo were together in Cleveland), that likely did not play much of a role.
What likely played a role was Winslow's salary.
Winslow was scheduled to make $3.3 million, not including a little over $1 million in workout and roster bonuses.
Clark signed a one-year deal worth up to $2.7 million with just $1 million guaranteed.
"Certainly there's a business side of this game at this level," said Tampa Bay coach Greg Schiano, who wouldn't say much else about trading Winslow.
Although Clark has played a full season just once entering his 10th season, he has played 15 games four times.
"He's a proven player," Schiano said of Clark. "I know he's had some health issues of late, some issues that have kept him from playing at the level of football he played earlier in his career. I believe whole-heartedly he's going to return to form and play the way he's capable."
Clark is going to do everything he can to get back to his high standards.
"Once you stop proving yourself, you're out the door," he said. "You have to bring your A game every day. That's what makes guys special who stay in the league a long time. To do it day in and day out (and for years), finding those pros is special.
"I'm just trying to be consistent and just be a player that (Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman) and the offense can depend on," he said. "That's all I tried to be. You are never guaranteed 100 catches. You are never guaranteed 20 catches. You have to earn every one of them."
That determination and dedication is why Clark is now a Buc.
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