Monetizing a social user base is a great strategy for making millions of dollars. But Snapchat is clearly aiming at <i>billions</i>, or they wouldn't have turned down the multi-billion dollar offers they've already received. Facebook has little to fear from social apps with millions in revenue... so why were they willing to pay so much for a zero-revenue company? And why are VCs ponying up tens of millions in funding for a zero-revenue product? The potential revenue from these dinky little solutions suggested here won't even break even for the VC.<p>No, they have something much bigger and better up their sleeves. Leaving a few million on the table now in the interest of potential billions later is a very good trade.<p>Personally, I think the world is ready for a footprint-free social app - not just photos, but threaded conversation and what not. Like Facebook, only without anything for employers to troll and exes to stalk. I think they could literally beat Facebook. That's worth a lot of waiting and risk.