Definitely mailing lists are too "mechanic" in their way of working. Some people receive weekly emails even after years of having stopped to use the service. Regarding mailing lists, there is a need for more "organic"/"humanized" user experiences. For instance, it would be interesting to have some specific rules according to the recipient's behavior. For example: if the recipient never opens the links featured in the email, an email like "Are you still interested in this?" could be sent after some time...
"For example: if the recipient never opens the links featured in the email, an email like "Are you still interested in this?" could be sent after some time..."
Though that makes sense from the user's point of view, I don't think many mailing-list managers would go for that because it would decrease their memberships. The features I'm talking about are here to please the subscriber so that he doesn't unsubscribe :)
But I agree that there could be even more complex options. One thing I thought of for certain types of mailing lists (e.g. HNSummaries could work): you can sign up for a delayed email that takes into account how the first receivers reacted to your links. Let's say the email is made of 25 hottest links from HN. You could then get a delayed email with only the 10 most clicked from these 25.
Or one that automatically adapts to the kind of stories you've apparently found interesting.
As I was trying to say in the last paragraph of my post: when you get people stick to your service, it broadens the realm of possibilites for monetization. For instance, the online collaborative studio could have some premium features (specific editing tools, extra storage... I am thinking out loud). Another example: when you get half-million users coming back every week, music labels or festival organizers might be ready to pay to get their advertising to the right audience (musicians, music fans) - see Pitchfork or Rollingstone.com.
He already has a big realm of possibilites for monetization. He just doesn't know what to choose. And you told him, hey you know what, you could get even MORE possibilities and then everything will solve itself and money and stuff. Reminiscent of the "2. ????" before "3. profit".
Indeed, I have been vague on number 3. My take-away was more like: "Here's a cool user base, let's see what else we can do with it", thinking also that these new features could open up the spectrum of monetization possibilities.
Good points. For the band generator, you're right: I had also in mind one-off trysts:) Regarding the drums on the collaborative online recording: I was more thinking something that could be generated from a MIDI keyboard. I have been playing drums for several years and always got frustrated by the challenge of recording a neat drum sound.
Congrats with what you've build so far. Keep rocking with Fandalism.
