2006-09-16

Forcing the viral growth???

Skype was – in the past – proud of its viral growth. But business is business, and they try to attract people by gifts and promotions, hoping to generate more revenue through SkypeOut, SkypIn and Skype certified products. The last two promotions in September were:
  1. Free SkypeOut for France in France
  2. September Giveaway for USA and Canada

For the time being this has been unsuccessful IMHO! See the graph below:

Even if MuppetMaster pretends downloads isn’t a measure of the growth of Skype (and i partially agree with this), the number of downloads should have shown some acceleration if these Skype Marketing campaigns mentioned above had been successful. Indeed, a bunch of new users downloading Skype should show a change in pattern in the download curve, as it was some months ago when they launched the free SkypeOut in Canada and the USA. It doesn’t: almost straight line growth since several months.

September Giveaway was targeting mainly students, and this (probably) proves again that the Skype Users are mainly adult professional users.

Skype Users seem to be also quite often small businesses. But French small business mainly have their customers in France (France is a big country), and phone calls inside France are not free but quite cheap. Belgian small business (as an example), because of the tiny size of the country, do more business abroad (in France for instance), therefore they are more interested in reducing their phone call bills.

So? Why trying to force Viral Growth? Let it grow the usual way, by improving mainly quality, reliability and services.

One of my new “Skype Customers” told me: Skype to Skype has a fantastic quality, but SkypeOut isn’t that good, but it is much cheaper indeed! She phones to her family in Algeria, and lives in Belgium! Improving quality will attract more Small Businesses!

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

Jean,
Downloads never was a very good indicator of Skype growth, and as we go forward it will become even more worthless. Note that devices like Netgear have Skype pre-installed, and you can download the software from more and more places other than the Skype servers. Concurrent online Skype IDs is a much better indicator of growth. At least it shows bumps and dips in the trend line that one can associate with real conditions on the Internet or in Skype's popularity. I think the lack of bumps and dips in the line showing downloads tells us that the line is irrelevant, but it does NOT tell us that recent promotion schemes have been ineffective.

Jean Mercier said...

Anonymous,
I agree withe the "Downloads never was a very good indicator of Skype growth", but even a slight but significant- increase in the number of new users should have shown up!
It didn't!

Anonymous said...

Jean,
I agree with you that it is surprising not to see any effect coming from marketing programs, but the downloads line has not shown a SIGNIFICANT bump or dip in almost two years. It's been a straight line. So the fact that you don't see a bump attributed to the recent marketing schemes is irrelevant, or so it seems to me. The downloads line does not even show the "summer slowdown" (shown in the graph of concurrent online ID's). Before trying to explain the present, I'd like to know how you explain the past. I have no answers.

In the future, the downloads line will become even more irrelevant as devices come with Skype pre-loaded and as the software is distributed by means other than Skype's download servers.

Jean Mercier said...

Anonymous,

I disagree with your statement the downloads line has not shown a SIGNIFICANT bump or dip in almost two years.

See my previous post:
free SkypeOut in USA and Canada

Jean Mercier said...

Anonymous,

I would like to add something, even the day-night fluctuations in downloads are visible when monitoring every five minutes the number of downloads, see the "waves on the rising download curve" through the Japanes site mentioned on my post i lost the monopoly or directly here

Anonymous said...

the download indicate indeed how many people want to get the newest updates or hotfix... it also shows that people come back for more. after all if something would be crap, you would never download the update. of course it does not indicate anything on the matter of users...i wonder why / how one could see (based on the ip-numbers) the number of downloads per country/region/continent.

Rakesh Kumar said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
best seo in india said...

best seo company in delhi
best astrologer mumbai
fridge repair delhi
ro repair delhi
treadmill repair in delhi
treadmill repair in hyderabad
house cleaning in patna
cab service in goa
ib maths tutor in gurgaon
carpet cleaning cannington

Saswath Academy said...


Enjoyed reading the article above , really explains everything in detail,
Please Visit Us to know more about Rubik's cube classes near me

hastenchemical said...

fly ash port Arthur is crucial for enhancing concrete strength and durability in construction projects, supporting eco-friendly building practices. This coal combustion byproduct helps lower costs and reduce environmental impact. Local suppliers ensure a consistent supply to meet the area's infrastructure demands.

bayleymikelson said...

Driving viral growth: Investigating methods to increase visibility and interaction in the current digital environment. Meanwhile, dependable ice delivery services are essential to maintaining the fun and coolness of neighborhood events and get-togethersIce Delivery in Kermit, Texass. Having ice on hand at a summer festival or family reunion helps keep everyone cool during the excitement.

Anna Thomas said...

It doesn’t: almost straight line growth since several months, showing consistent progress. For expert interior design and renovation, check out top fit out companies in Dubai.





Cardetailingottawa said...

Though I somewhat agree with MuppetMaster that downloads are not the only indicator of Skype's growth, effective marketing campaigns ought to be reflected in higher download volumes. For those who own cars in Ottawa, hiring inside Interior Car Cleaning Ottawawill guarantee that their vehicle exudes pride and cleanliness. A well-maintained car adds to a pleasant driving experience, regardless of marketing techniques or personal taste.

hastenclease said...

Unlock exponential growth by implementing tactics that advance your company! Learn how to optimize processes with ourIndustry Leading Degassing Solutiontechnology to take your operations to new heights in sustainability and efficiency. Utilize cutting-edge technologies to propel viral growth in your sector and stay ahead of the curve.

ambreenhumor said...

Businesses can transform their operations by forcing viral growth, which can quickly boost exposure and consumer involvement. Consulting a business tax consultant west palm beach consultant can offer the needed knowledge and assistance to handle the financial complications that accompany such rapid expansion.

HelanHelan said...

Skype has demonstrated its capacity to adapt in the competitive digital market by going from viral growth to targeted promotions. The company focuses on income creation through new offerings like SkypeOut and Skype certified products. Discover the wide range of options available from neighborhood coffee roasters dubaito enhance your virtual meeting or work-from-home experience with freshly roasted coffee beans that will make your coffee break even more enjoyable.

beenakevin94 said...

User pleasure and engagement are important KPIs, even if MuppetMaster downplays downloads as a gauge of Skype's growth (and I kind of agree with this too). Similar to this, customer satisfaction at متجر متجر شوكليت الأحساء goes above and beyond sales metrics by placing an emphasis on quality and experience to create enduring relationships.




























combinedpump said...

In the past, Skype took great pride in its viral expansion. However, since business is business, they make an effort to draw customers in with giveaways and promotions in the hopes of increasing sales of SkypeOut, SkypeIn, and Skype certified goods. The previous two September promotions were enormous successes, much likehydrocarbon pumps Aberdeen Aberdeen's dependable hydrocarbon pumps that guarantee smooth operations. "#BusinessExpansion #EffectiveMarketing
































Tomjack said...

best Italian dining in Abu Dhabi, celebrated for its diverse menu of authentic pizzas, pastas, and more. With its welcoming atmosphere and commitment to traditional flavors, it’s a popular choice for a true taste of Italy in the capital.

Michlejack25 said...

foundation crack repair in Westerra Blvd is essential for preventing water infiltration and maintaining structural integrity. Timely repairs help avoid further damage, such as leaks or foundation shifting. Local professionals offer reliable solutions to keep homes secure.

Monster rabit said...

Epimedium Honey UAE, is a natural product infused with extracts from the Epimedium plant, known for its potential aphrodisiac properties. It's often used to enhance energy, stamina, and sexual vitality. This honey is valued for both its health benefits and unique, robust flavor.

smart kitchens said...

smart italian kitchen in dubai combine cutting-edge technology with elegant Italian craftsmanship. These kitchens feature sleek designs, integrated with automated appliances, voice control, and energy-efficient systems.