'Fifty Shades of Grey' boosting sign-ups to 'sugar daddy' site
Rare is the modern book that stakes a long-term claim in the public consciousness, but this Fifty Shades of Grey thing is still happening.
The novel trilogy is a bestselling smash, and in this space we’ve covered the economic impact of the books, which have boosted the sales of everything from sex toys to grey ties.
Though perhaps E.L. James’ novels, in addition to filling financial headlines, are matchmakers, too.
By one measure, the Fifty Shades of Grey phenomenon has boosted sign-ups to an online dating site that connects “sugar daddies” to “sugar babies.”
In the Fifty Shades books, the main storyline – so I hear! – follows a young virgin named Anastasia Steele and her bawdy relationship with Christian Grey, a wealthy entrepreneur years her senior.
*Bing: Where to find cheap books online
It’s a familiar refrain – rich old guy finds young sweetheart – but it’s also driving traffic to one prominent Internet dating site.
SeekingArrangement.com is the discrete name of a sugar daddy dating site, connecting “modern daddies” to “goal-seeking sugar babies.”
“The modern daddy … is always respectful and generous,” the site reads. “You only live once, and you want to date the best. Some call you a mentor, sponsor or benefactor.”
A “goal-seeking sugar baby,” the site continues, is “attractive, intelligent, ambitious and goal oriented. Sugar babies are students, actress, model or girls (and guys) next door. You know you deserve to date someone who will pamper you, empower you, and help you mentally, emotionally and financially.”
Certainly, fans of the Fifty Shades books have found a parallel between the novels and SeekingArrangement.com. According to the site’s founder, on its 1.6 million active profiles, the term “Fifty Shades” is mentioned nearly 30,000 times.
The fictional character Christian Grey is noted more than 23,000 times, and nearly 200,000 female members are actively seeking a “Christian Grey-type” arrangement.
Further, since January, 2012, the site’s founder says, almost 42,000 new members have attributed signing up to Fifty Shades of Grey.
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
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