This one's for the Cinderella Reference.

If Prince Charming lived in today’s New York, he might turn to Missed Connections’ in his search for Cinderella. “We danced at last night’s ball, but you bolted at midnight,” he might write. “I didn’t even get your name, only a glass slipper. E-mail me if you get this.” -New York Times

While getting into a twitter conversation with my friend George (while simultaneously talking on gChat), I was totally making fun of him for tweeting on the hotness factor of a girl sitting next to him at a coffee house. After suggesting that he should post something on Craigslist’s “missed connections,” he immediately referred me to another way to tell that stranger you’re interested.

In order for this to work (and not be creepy)– it obviously depends on the people involved, and of course, how well you write.

If you’re going to post something on craigslist or yelp, or well, anywhere.. just don’t be creepy (please)

Ex: NYC Craigslist “Rain”
I have never done this before, but it was such a kind gesture and you were so sweet. We were both waiting outside in the rain trying to hail a cab. (on Bowery and Bleeker). I let you under my umbrella since you didn’t have one. We had some small talk while waiting, you asked where I was going (you were going to Murry Hill?) You hailed down a black car, handed me money and said “you seem like a nice girl, here is $x and please take this car home, Its all set.” After a moment of hesitation, I jumped into the car since it was so gross out. After I got in the car, I wished we had exchanged information – you were very cute and I was totally taken back by your kind gesture. Maybe you are out there? : )  [blogger's comment. <--cute, not creepy.]

Another (very creative) option: Yelp. It’s great. I love it. George’s friend took a different approach to finding that “Mr. Perfect” and posted something in her yelp review about this mystery man.

Dear hot boy in dark blazer with hat, who came in around 10pm on September 24th, 2009,
I need your # or email. Thankyouverymuch.
…what? Craigslist is so 2007.

It’s cute. She didn’t give too many details (i.e. what you were reading, exact height, web sites you were browsing, your SSN or bank account passwords, etc.) It is highly recommended that EVEN IF you know these details, you do not share them with the internet, and the other person. (ex: 6’4″ = “very tall”). AND ALSO that you require some validation in exchange. (This should help to keep desperate creepers away.)

Next question. Do people actually find each other via these types of digital, internet-assisted “missed connections” connecting sites? An article via NYT (2005) tells the story of a couple who did something about that missed connection.

It’s a different approach from going on Match.com… as you’ve actually seen the person IRL first.

[Technyess Advice: PLEASE PLEASE always be careful when meeting people you have never met before. It's fun, and sometimes super romantic - but air on the side of caution. OK thats it for the mom in me.. for now. hehe]

Sure, there’s always a reason behind most businesses: making money.

According to IAC (InterActive Corporation), the parent company of Match, the site was launched in 1995 (IAC also manages citysearch, ticketmaster, evite, bloglines and shoebuy to name a few).

Match.com has a revenue of $349 million. When compared to eHarmony.com (the competition!) match still comes out on top, as eHarmony reported $4.1 million in revenue for 2007.

Match.com claims that an average of 75,000 people sign up each day for the service. Add in the monthly subscription charge, and that’s some good money. Immediately, I thought of the advertising opportunities that match has the capability for. It’s like facebook- people are logging in often, and actively reading and navigating through the site. On IAC’s advertising page, the demographics are displayed:

The demos show that it’s almost split evenly between men and women. Shows that both genders are looking for love… corny but I had to say it, haha.

The distribution is nearly normal in regards to the age range. As a 22 year old female, I fall into a small percentage of the overall distribution.

It’s interesting. Signing up isn’t the only way to spend money on the site. You can also pay for additional “options” including…

• Match Mobile: $4.99 a month to send and receive emails on your cell phone. I tried to get around this system, but they block it unless you pay. punks.
• Email Read Receipts: $3.99 a month to see if someone actually read your message.
• Fancy colors: I forget how much it is but you pay extra to have a colored box around your picture. Yes, I am going to click on your name because it is a prettier color. Actually, it makes me feel like I wouldn’t want to click, knowing that you paid extra for a lame box.
• Monthly fee: About $15 to sign up. That’s just as much as netflix!

According to this article in Forbes, Match.com is working on strategic partnerships with Facebook and MySpace, in addition to current partnerships with AOL and Yahoo.

Making Money With A Subscription Based Business Model:

We’re [match.com] about 95% in subscription revenues. Last year, we did $349 million in revenue and $78 million in profit, which is up about 24% over the prior year. When I look at the subscription model, three things matter–How many people register everyday, how much they pay us and how long they’re staying?

Everyday we have about 75,000 people sign up for the service here in the U.S. It’s $35 a month, and people spend on average four, four and a half months.

-Match.com Chief Executive Thomas Enraght-Moony.

In the end, if you can figure out a way to reinvent something that we do in the physical world and make it digital, you’ve got yourself an idea. How’s dating any different?