We run free classifieds at www.theBubbler.com - a family-friendly, general-interest Wisconsin portal.

The free classifieds are the primary draw that gains about 6 new Members/day (now at 2,700+) and allows us to sell about $6k / month of banners (no pop-ups, no nag screens).

We've rounded out offerings with some social networking aspects (a la tribe) and have a list of 100 more features to implement...but classifieds are/were the key.

Learned this in the print world; one of the premier alternative newsweeklies, the Chicago Reader, uses the same business model. Free classifieds create free content and attract viewers. Advertisers want to be where the veiwers are.

A tremendous amount of effort is required to get 'critical mass' in traffic, especially without a lot of $$$ for online and offline marketing, but we've done it (gotten to critical mass, that is).

Another variant of the free classifieds model is for a site that sells widgets to offer their veiwers the opportunity to unload their used widgets via that site. For example, a boat dealer can list (on consignment or without fee) the used boats of individuals to help those people afford the new watercraft.

We're interested in using our expertise on behalf of others who would like to develop a geo-centric, lifestyle-centric or other portal...or we'd like to get ideas of what works and what doesn't for you, or to comment on your suggestions and questions.

Regards,
Keith