Saturday, February 21, 2015

Can Money Buy Happiness? A Growing Industry

For many years now, dating sites such as match.com have developed into a sizable industry.  As a result, a new industry has emerged.  New companies are now providing services to users of these websites.  Services range from providing coaching tips to actually using your account to talk to your matches for you.  Other services include rewriting and managing your profile to make it look appealing.  The article highlights three companies, each of which charge monthly subscriptions, where the prices depend on the extent of the services.  One company, Virtual Dating Assistants, says the average total amount a customer will spend is $2,000 and they expect over $1 million in revenue this year.  Is this a fad, or a concept that will continue to evolve into a legitimate industry that involves a lot of money being spent?  Also, is it ethical, considering in some instances the person you think your talking with online is really a different person that is being paid to attract your attention?    



http://money.cnn.com/2015/02/09/technology/online-dating-coaches/index.html?iid=SF_SB_River

4 comments:

Unknown said...

I think technology really changes our dating dynamics. As the world become more fast paced and virtual, dating website and services really fill in the need for people to connect with more people in a shorter time. I think this is not just a fad but a culture. As more and more couples are formed through the mean of dating services, definitely happiness can definately be bought.

Unknown said...

I also think technology will continue to infiltrate how we date and connect with other humans. Social media sites such as Facebook already have a huge impact on how we meet other people. I believe it is a culture. I see potential for an even bigger industry in online dating services in the future.

Unknown said...


This is a great business idea. As dating is never going to disappear,and people are becoming too busy with their professional lives, that they resort to the virtual world, these businesses are viable.

Anonymous said...

I believe these digital dating coaches and stylists will continue to grow. I believe that these dating sites and other companies and compliments of each other and as one sector sees growth the other will mimic in growth as well. It is interesting to see how many people are fabricating themselves into these online avatars and avoiding actual human interaction but so goes the way of the future.