I agree, I have seen at least a dozen clone sites that are not doing so well, some are going for as low as $0.25 a pixel! I think I even saw one where they let you put up the ads for free as long as you visit their sponsors.
Guess those who get rewarded are those who are the first to do something different and not being copycats. :imho:
That's because 85% of the ad space is filled ($847,000.00)! I'm surprised it went as far as it did. I originally thought it would top out at around $200,000.00.
What is THAT supposed to reveal? If it holds any truth, it reveals that Alex is an even more brilliant marketer than ever. What is this author's beef? What is the problem with paying a promoter to advertise the site? Is Alex guilty of brilliant marketing? Do tell. But think about this. Why in the world would Alex have to pay $7,000 a month in promotions, when he already gets millions of dollars worth of FREE promotion from the many MAJOR media outlets? It doesn't add up. Even if he were paying $7,000 a month, that's pocket change for the amount of business he's developed.
I would agree, that is has been done too much. Many times I see these sites now and I think of some kid trying for the ol' "get rich quick" theme. The first one or two I saw were quite amazing, but now they are just ordinary. I give more credit to the beginners who work hours just to make the most simple web pages, at least they are learning something.
Yeah, most of these new copy-cat sites are not even worth it, you have to think about something unique or definately close to unique, ie something that only two other websites have, but promote the hell out of it and see where it goes.