Nick Denton Struggling to Monetise with the Early Adopter Market

Nick Denton’s closure of two of his blogs in his blog media network has caused outrage among some of the blogosphere purists. A classic response from early adopters, who often ignore profit-loss concerns in the object of their affection.
We have had similar responses among our online communities, for instace the enthusiast members of our online financial information forum.
Many web2.0 companies, blog networks, and even A-list bloggers are struggling to monetise their brand asset. But, being popular among the early adopter consumer segment rarely generates the wished for revenues. Early adopters are too few, notoriously fickle, and do not buy everything they sample.
Crossing the chasm between the enthusiast and the mainstream users is an exercise in targeting, sub-segmenting and lots of patience.
It may take a year or two for blogosphere early adopters to be outnumbered by arriving mainstream users. Then the blogosphere will cease to be shocked by the reality of a profit-loss statement. Even smartmobs need to eat.