Software is absurd, indeed. I don’t write code but I feel similar about digital and the Internet as a whole because my career is here… so I went back to a hobby of pre-computer automotive restoration. I do it for me, so I haven’t switched careers. I don’t want the same burnout with my hobby. Instead, I find a bit of balance for myself by working on a machine in my garage instead of going from my day job to my mobile device for videos or social networks.
I'm helping a friend sell their farm's ancient grain production online since they have a mill on their farm. They grow and sell spelt, emmer, einkorn, and other types of grain. Our family farm is considering planting and producing those grains, too.
Also building an outsourced, full-time, subscription-based digital marketer staffing / agency hybrid at GruntWorkers.com.
This reminds me of a book called The Power of Starting Something Stupid, by Richie Norton. The book tells several stories just like this one, where it seems like peers or others are criticizing your work as “stupid” but you get it done anyways because you know it is worthwhile, then finally the world rewards you handsomely for it.
I up-vote the stories I intend to use or share with others in the future. These stories usually resonate with me on some level so I find myself reading significantly more stories than ever actually up-voting them.
If you have time, I highly recommend reading The 1% Windfall by Rafi Mohammed[1].
There are dozens of pricing options in the book; however, Rafi's favored model is: try to set a price based on the value the buyer receives.
In your case, it sounds like you are the buyer because you built something that fixes a problem you had. If the pricing is something you will pay, then you're probably in the ballpark with your prices.
Have you surveyed other theme/module sellers to determine the value a service like yours would provide to them? Using your scenario, will other sellers value (pay) for your service at the equivalent of 2 sales/month for the Pro plan and 4-6 for the Platinum? Will you pay that much to a competitor if they build a similar business?
Good luck with your product! If I were a theme or module seller, it looks like something I might try because as a regular theme and module buyer, nothing frustrates me more than to click a demo link only to find demos that do not exist anymore. I almost never buy a theme or module that I can't demo first.
This post is giving me a lot of reading! All of them are interesting, I just miss the time ;)
Your last line is a great motivation for me, thank you very much for that.
I think I'll prepare a survey/discussion about the pricing by contacting some ThemeForest sellers, I just need to find the good introduction email for that :)
I wonder if Yo is popular because people feel it is a funny pointless app or because it makes a common message incredibly easy to send?
I like apps like Yo. They do exactly what they say they will do. Yo requires fewer taps than texting "Yo" to somebody. It's refreshing!
I would venture a guess that the people who are solving for big problems can be inspired by how minimal Yo is, and the decisions that stem from that inspiration may be the tipping point they needed for their businesses. There may be applicable uses for the Yo type of simplicity for any of the problems mentioned in the blog post.
There's a good place for apps like Yo. They challenge the status quo. They disrupt. They prove that removing mundane steps to doing something as common as texting can be popular and worth testing as a business model.
Maybe Yo has already solved a big problem. Maybe we have yet to experience the ripple effect.
Your current home page tells a good story by simply outlining the benefits of your app. I don't have to think to "get it" when reading your existing home page.
The new infographic shows me the benefits but it is harder for me, personally, to digest. I had to strain my brain to "get it."
You have an awesome opportunity with your startup. I'm sure you'll turn something around with the lively discussion you kicked off.
Have you considered non-ad-network revenue sources? What about running affiliate offers?
I used to make 4 to 10 times more as a publisher with affiliate offers than adsense or other ad network placements. I don't affiliate (or publish) enough now to know if that would still happen or not.
A quick idea for an affiliate test, although you may have already tried this:
Given 6MM+ uniques/mo, and a somewhat adult-oriented audience, you may have a decent opportunity to push native ads with affiliate offers toward dating sites, event-themed sites (costumes for halloween trends), and more.
Native ads could be custom, animated banners you create and fill the first, second or x picture spot in your search or tag results. Does that make sense? Your banners would be 100px x 100px on your home page and fill a standard picture spot or two or five instead of the images that might ordinarily go in that space, 150x150 banner ads could fit in well in random places on your tag image pages, etc.
Also, advertisers might like to participate in native advertising on your website if the opportunity were available.
