For the sake of argument, if On-Line, ADVFN, et al were going bust, perhaps there is something that could be done to save them.
Most people seem to agree that the ADVFN product is great. However there is nothing that is not easy for a competitor to provide. So ADVFN's only real unique asset is its sense of community, and the loyalty of that customer base.
As we all know, on the internet, that loyalty is less than a click deep.
So perhaps some lateral thinking, along the lines of ways of embedding that loyalty, is needed. What if On-line were to distribute free shares from its holding in AFN to registered users, in proportion to length of membership and level of service paid for? Free users would be included, but would have to sign up for a unique identity, which would allow abuse of the fbb to be curtailed. A small one-off registration fee could be charged, and some shareholder perks introduced at the same time. Measures such as these could imo cement the relationship that ADVFN needs with its customers to survive and grow, long-term.
I am aware that Totalise have just decided to end such a scheme, but I think it worked initially. Criticism and abuse gratefully received. :-)
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