Spiffbox entices users with cold hard cash

Spiffbox is looking to shake up social networking by rewarding its users with cash for participating. Recognizing that today we are inundated with friend requests, messages, and e-mails, Spiffbox supposed that people could be motivated to respond quickly by offering a financial incentive for doing so.

Spiffbox utilizes Facebook Connect and Twitter and is meant to build on top of pre-existing social networks instead of trying to build their own unique user base. Instead of trying to be another communication platform for you and your friends, it is intended to help you engage with people outside of your social graph. The focus here is on expert advice as well as career promotion and advancement.

In Spiffbox's system, the person sending a message or friend request has to spend points, which can be redeemed for cash, and the receiver gets points for responding. Users are given a set number of points when they sign up and can earn more by responding to messages, completing offers, or purchasing them. At this time, all of the actions on the site have a fixed cost, but Spiffbox is playing around with the idea of letting the sender define how much money they want to attach to a message. Obviously, if there is more money attached to a message, then the recipient will be more inclined to respond.

Spiffbox's friend invite, detailing the effects of accepting the request.

(Credit: Screenshot by Harrison Hoffman/CNET)

Spiffbox has some really interesting concepts behind it. We are starting to see a trend of social-networking sites rewarding users for their actions. In September, Vreebit launched their version of the concept, but it awards items (electronics, books, etc.) as opposed to cash like Spiffbox does. There could be a real future in this space.

I am impressed by the thinking behind Spiffbox, however, I fear that some new users might find it to be too complex and intimidating. Once the site irons some of its kinks out and becomes a little more user friendly, then we could start to see some real widespread adoption.

[haiashwin]

Isn't it kinda inane to bribe someone to use something, which otherwise they dont like?

The fundamental flaw I see is, Spiffbox incents those who close a transaction more than those who initiate it. Infact, there is a huge disincentive built into initiating a transaction like mail or chat. Then why on earth will anyone spend credits to initiate a conversation or social activity?

When someone comes up with an uber-creative idea like "pay money to create patronage" it just means the social network bubble is bursting.

- Ashwin Ramasamy Tech Show @ www.ashwinramasamy.com

[harrisonh1]

Hey Ashwin,

The way I see it working (and the way that it was explained to me) is that you wouldn't use Spiffbox for just socializing with your friends as you would do on Facebook. The idea is to let users entice those who they don't yet have a relationship with to respond. So, the person who sent the message (and paid for it) benefits because they get to be in contact with the person that they were sending the message to. The person receiving the message obviously benefits because of the money attached to it.

I'm not sure if that's clear, but that's just how it made sense to me.

[ecotopian--2008]

Spiffbox is going to fail miserably.

[02cfranklin]

this ^

[GameOver098]

I think its a great idea especially for students make points that can be crashed out and finally gives some people a reason to add and message back strangers. Makes the community actually be social and get to know people out of your circle and the whole idea of getting rid of your friends after 30 days who you don't ever talk to I think is great gets rid of the need to go back and delete 100 people

[jandiQ]

Really? <a rev="vote for" title="Can Unsecured Loans Really Provide Instant Cash?" href="http://personalmoneystore.com/moneyblog/2009/10/21/unsecured-loans-instant-cash/ ">Thanks </a> for that.

[Halobastion]

Its all true!!!!! I just cashed my first check!!! and i didn't bounce. lol use the promo code Csf2009 to get an extra boost.