We're working on the code now and it should be done by the end of July. We're getting a check from google for at least $100 from some other sites by the end of this month. We want to use that money to advertise the new site. I don't think Adwords would really help with just $100 because the free dating genre is probably pretty competitive and would cost quite a bit per click. Does anyone have suggestions on how to best spend this?
I think with this budget you better work on EMail Marketing. Also it will be an effective tool for Dating site. Just start some special offers and send emailers inviting peoples to sign up for free...
Are you part of the college bar scene? Could you advertise at local colleges? The other obvious place is advertise via myspace.
I was thinking about an offer where people would refer their friends and the person with the most referrals at the end of the month would get an iPod Nano plus a $25 gift certificate to the iTunes music store or something. Yeah, we were going to run ads on collegebarscene for the site. We are also planning on using myspace as a recruiting tool for new members somehow.
That will be great. Make such offers and put budget on EMail marketing. SEO in any way is not a good option for sort term period as to attain ranking for dating sites is quiet an uphill task. But spend on it gradually.