Monetizing fan sites

[WallaceCleaver]

I am looking into the possibility of starting a fan site, but I was wondering if it would be profitable. I know that fan site use a lot of bandwidth with wallpaper downloads and what not, so I would certainly need to generate enough income to at least cover those costs. If I could make more that would be great. Do any of you know if this would be a profitable venture?

[tomkuegler]

I think it all depends on what it is a fan site of.

If it is a very popular subject, people may pay for premium features. You will also attract better advertisers depending on the subject.

What subject would your fan site be about?

[MrSpeed]

You may get lucky and at least cover the costs but that's all you should expect. Do it for fun and maybe some PR.

Vistors to fan sites are there for free information and pictures, not to buy stuff. Although I once heard that a certain Lucille Ball site was making some ok money selling Lucy products.

[WallaceCleaver]

Tom,

The rules of the board state that I'm not supposed to get into specifics, but I will say that the subject would be a well-known singer.

[tomkuegler]

Thanks for the limited data that you are allowed to give.

I would say that if you monetize it perfectly, you can expect to at least break even.

I think the problem with doing it on a singer is that they will come and go out of popularity so fast that it is hard to build up anything long term.

[chrisgarrett]

I have heard of fan sites doing reasonably well but it depends on competition and if you can get into things like gig ticket markets.