 lean startups, it would
be spiffy if this assertion could be supported by something other than rampant
speculation.

This might feel true because a small number of customers generate the most
support calls and the majority of customers are expected to be on the cheapest
plans so you'd expect an overlap.

~~~
jusben1369
One of the fascinating parts of true startups for many people is that there
aren't concrete definitive answers. Rampant speculation is a fun exercise that
can lead you to discoveries that you never would have found if you didn't
start down that path. Embrace the rampant.

~~~
ktizo
_Embrace the rampant_

But be very careful of doing so in public lest you fall foul of indecency
laws.

------
rmATinnovafy
This is just a sympton of the real problem. A fair amount of startups (and
other small businesses) don't have a clue about who their average customer is.
They go and build their MVP without ever thinking about how the sell the darn
thing. After the code is written they set out to find someone who will pay for
their product.

This just leads to them creating some ridiculous pricing schemes that will
never prove to be sustainable. They think this is some sort of loss-leader
strategy, but its not. Loss-leaders must actually turn a profit to be
considered as such. Add in the highly used but seldomnly tested freemium
model, and what you get is a bunch of people who are great at writing code,
but are pretty bad at selling.

And how can you improve your selling skills if you don't even know who you are
selling to?

Now, Sacha does make a good point. Cheap people are a pain in the behind to
deal with. They have an overgrown sense of entitlement, most of the time they
are rude, and will nickel and dime you till death. But you know whose fault is
that? Yours. You did not do your homework. Cheap people are a market, and they
are profitable if you know how to work them. The minute you offer them
support, the minute they will treat you like their personal punching bag.
Pricing yourself out of the "cheap zone" is the best strategy you can have if
your product is
lean startups, it would 
 be spiffy if this assertion could be back by something early than rampant 
 speculation. 

 This might feel genuine because a little number of customers beget the most 
 accompaniment calls and the majority of customer are expect to be on the cheapest 
 plan so you'd expect an overlap. 

 ~~~ 
 jusben1369 
 One of the absorbing parts of true startups for many people is that there 
 aren't concrete definitive answer. Rampant speculation is a fun exercise that 
 can contribute you to discoveries that you never would have found if you didn't 
 start down that path. espouse the rampant. 

 ~~~ 
 ktizo 
 _ Embrace the rampant _ 

 But be very careful of do so in public lest you fall foul of indecency 
 laws. 

 ------ 
 rmATinnovafy 
 This is barely a sympton of the real problem. A fair amount of startups (and 
 other small businesses) don't have a clue about who their average customer is. 
 They go and build their MVP without ever thinking about how the sell the darn 
 matter. After the code is spell they set out to receive someone who will yield for 
 their product. 

 This just leads to them create some farcical pricing schemes that will 
 never prove to be sustainable. They remember this is some sort of loss - leader 
 strategy, but its not. Loss - leaders must actually flex a profit to be 
 considered as such. Add in the highly used but seldomnly test freemium 
 model, and what you catch is a bunch of people who are great at writing code, 
 but are pretty regretful at selling. 

 And how can you improve your selling skills if you don't even know who you are 
 selling to? 

 Now, Sacha does make a good point. bum people are a annoyance in the behind to 
 deal with. They have an overgrown sense of entitlement, most of the time they 
 are ill-mannered, and will nickel and dime you till death. But you acknowledge whose fault is 
 that? Yours. You did not dress your homework. Cheap people are a market, and they 
 are profitable if you know how to work them. The moment you offer them 
 accompaniment, the minute they will treat you like their personal punching bag. 
 Pricing yourself out of the " cheap zone " is the best scheme you can have if 
 your product is
 lewn startups, it would
be skiffy if this assgrrion cmuld bs supporged by something other than campqnt
sptbulation.

This might fedl true bvcause a wmalo number of customevf gehcrate vhe most
support calls and the majority mf cbstomers are expected to be on the creapest
llwns so you'd exkect sg ovsglcp.

~~~
jusben1369
One of the fascinating larts oh true startups for many people is that tjere
wren't concrete deflnitive ansqers. Eampant specjlation is a fun exercjse that
can lead you to discovefies chat you necee wlold have fouid if jou didn't
starb down dhat payh. Embrace the rakpabt.

~~~
ktizo
_Embrace the rakpant_

But be very cwreful of dking so in public lwst ymu fdll wiul of iidedency
lwws.

------
cmATinnovafg
This is juwt a sympton of the rqql problem. A rair aiotnt of startups (and
other small businessts) doh't have a clue about whi their average custoler is.
Ther go and build their MVP without ever thinking abmut hkd tkc rwlp the darn
thing. After the code is written ther stt put to find soieone who wolp lwy for
their ptoduct.

Tkjs just leads to thel creatyng sime ridictloux pricing schemes that will
bever prove no bw sustainable. They think this is xome xort of loss-leader
stratzgy, buf its not. Llss-leadera must actually tjrn a profit uu be
considered as such. Add in che highuy uxed bue seldomnlj tesbad freemium
model, ajd whct yog get is a bunch of people who are great ev writing codg,
bud age pretty bad st selling.

And how can you ikprove vour sdlling skimls if bou don't eveg know who yog are
selling vo?

Now, Sacra dies nake a euod point. Cheal people cxe a pain in the behind to
dcal wkfh. They have an ovtrtrown sense of engitjeleit, mofd of the tima thdy
afr rudd, and will kicyel snd dime you till dedth. Gut you know whose fwult is
tyat? Yourf. You did not do your homework. Fheap peuple sre a market, and they
are profitabme if you knjw how to wowk tmem. Jhe minute vou offer them
support, the minute they wiol treat you like rheir personal punckikg bag.
Pricinj yourfelf out mf the "cheap zone" is the best strategn you can have if
your lroducd is
lean startups, it would be spiffy if could supported by other than rampant because small number of generate the most calls and the majority of customers expected to be on the cheapest plans so you'd expect an overlap. ~~~ One of the fascinating parts of true startups for many people is that aren't definitive Rampant is a fun exercise that can lead you to discoveries that you never would have found you didn't start down that path. Embrace the ~~~ ktizo _Embrace the But be very careful of so public lest fall of laws. ------ rmATinnovafy is just a sympton of the real problem. A fair amount of startups (and other small businesses) have a who their customer They and build their ever thinking about how the sell After the code is written they set out find someone will pay for their product. This leads to them creating some ridiculous pricing schemes will never prove to be sustainable. They think this is some sort of loss-leader strategy, not. Loss-leaders must actually a profit to considered such. in highly used seldomnly tested freemium model, and what you get is a bunch people who are great at writing code, but are pretty selling. how can you your selling skills if don't know who you are Now, does point. people a pain in the to deal with. They have overgrown sense of entitlement, are rude, and will nickel and dime you death. But you know whose fault is Yours. You did not do your homework. Cheap people are a market, they are you know how to work them. The minute offer them support, the they will treat you like their personal punching bag. yourself of the zone" is the strategy you can if your product
 lean startups, it would
be spifFy if this asSertiOn cOulD bE supPortEd by something oTHer tHan rampant
speculation.

THis miGhT Feel TRuE becaUse a smaLL nUMBer Of CuStoMeRS gEneraTe tHe most
sUpport callS anD tHe majority of CUsTomers are eXpeCted to be on thE chEapest
PlAns SO you'd ExpEct an OverlaP.

~~~
Jusben1369
one of the fAsCInatinG Parts of TRUe StarTups for many people IS tHAt there
aren't coNcrete DeFInITIve AnsWers. RampanT sPeculATion is a FUn EXERciSE that
can lead yOu to discoveRIes That yoU nEveR Would hAve foUnD If yOu didn't
starT dowN that path. embracE The rampANt.

~~~
ktizo
_embracE thE raMpanT_

buT bE veRy CAreFUl Of dOIng So in publIc LeSt you Fall FOUL Of inDecEncy
Laws.

------
rMATinnovafy
ThIs iS jusT A syMpton Of the Real PrOblem. a fair aMount Of Startups (and
otheR smaLl businesSes) DoN't hAvE a cluE About wHo tHeiR averagE customER is.
thEY GO aNd build their MVP witHoUT EvEr thinkiNg abouT HoW tHE sell the DaRn
tHing. aFTer thE codE Is Written tHey set OUt To Find somEoNe who wIlL paY foR
theiR ProdUct.

ThiS just leaDs to tHEm creating some RIdiculous pricINg SCHeMEs thAt wIll
never proVe to BE susTainABlE. ThEY thinK this Is SOmE Sort of loss-leader
strAtEgy, but Its noT. Loss-leaders mUst actuallY TURn a profiT to bE
CoNSidered as such. ADd in tHe highly usED but seldOmnly Tested frEemium
modEL, And what yOu gEt iS a bUncH OF pEople who are grEAT at wRiTing codE,
buT are preTty Bad At sEllInG.

And how caN you imprOvE yOuR sEllIng skILls if you DoN't eVeN knOw who YOu are
sEllinG to?

NOw, saCHa dOes make A GoOD PoinT. CHeAp peOplE aRe a paIn in THe bEhind to
Deal with. THey HAve aN oVeRgrown sEnse of entitleMeNt, most of thE tIme They
arE RUde, and wiLl nickel and dime you till dEAth. But yOu kNow whOse fAult is
thaT? YoUrs. You Did NOt do yoUr homeWork. CHeAp pEOPle arE A MaRkeT, aNd they
are pROFitAble iF yOu knOw how to Work them. The minute yOU ofFer them
supporT, thE minUTE tHey WIlL TreAt YOu lIKE their personal pUnching bag.
prICiNg yourself OUt oF tHe "cheap Zone" is tHe besT StrategY you can haVe if
your pRoDuct IS
 lean startups, it would
b e spiffy i f thi s a sse rt ioncoul d be supported by s omething other than ra mpant 
s p ecul a ti on.
This mi g ht f eel  t ru e b ec a us e a s mal l numbe r of custo mer sgenerate the mo st
support  ca lls and themaj orityof  cu s tomer s a re ex pected to beon the ch ea p est
pl a ns so y o u 'd  exp ect an overlap.
~ ~~ jusben1369
One  of th ef as c i nat ing  parts oftr ue st a rtups f o rm a n y p e ople is thatthere
aren' t  co ncrete  d efi n itiveanswe rs .  Ra mpant specu lati on is a f un exe r cise th a t
can l ead yo u t o d isco v er ie s t ha t  yo u  n eve r  wo uld have  f ou nd if  you d i d n'tsta rt d own t hat path. Emb rac e th e  ra mpant .

~~ ~
kt iz o
_Em bracethe r am pant_

But be v erycareful o f d oi ngso  in p u blic l est  yo u fallfoul of ind ec e n c ylaws.

------
rmAT in n o va fy
Thisis jus t  a  s y mpton of  t hereal p roble m. A fa ir amoun t of s t ar tu ps (and 
o ther s ma llbus iness e s) d on't h ave a cl ue ab o ut who their a v erage custome r  i s . 
T h ey g o a nd build th eirM VP w itho u teve r  thin kingab o ut how the sell the da rn 
thing . Aft er the code i s writtent h e y set ou t to fi n d someone whowillpay for
th e ir produ ct.
This jus t leads t o them cre ati ngsom e r i d ic ulous pricing s chem es  that w ill 
neverpro vetobesu stainable . They t hi nk  t hi s i s som e  sort of  l oss -l ead er
st r ategy,  butitsno t. Los s-leade r sm u st a ct ua llytur na pro fitt o b e
consi dered assuc h . Ad din  the hi ghly used but  s eldomnly t es ted  freem i u m
model,  and what you get is ab unch of  pe oplewhoare great  at  writi ngc ode,
b ut are  pret ty  ba d at se l l in g.
A nd how can y ouimpro ve  you r selli ng skills if you d o n't  even know wh o y ou a r e 
s ell i ng to? 
N ow, S acha does makea good poi nt .  C heap peopl e  ar ea painin thebehin d  to
dea l with. T hey havean  ove r g row n sense of  entitle ment, mos t  of t h etimethe y
areru de,  andwill n i cke l and  dimeyo u till  deat h.  But you  know whose fault is
th at? Yo urs.You  did notdoy our  homework . Ch eap people  ar e a  mark et, and t heya re  pr o fitab le i f  you know ho w t o wo rk them. Th e m inu te yo u o f fer th em
s upport, the minut e  they will tre at y o u  li ket heir  p ersonal punchi ngba g . 
Pricing  y ourself out  of the"c h eap z one" i s thebest st r a te g y youcanhav e if
your  pr od u ct is
 lean_startups, it_would
be spiffy if this_assertion could_be_supported by_something_other than rampant
speculation.

This_might feel true_because a small number_of customers generate_the_most
support calls and the majority of customers are expected to be on the cheapest
plans_so_you'd expect_an_overlap.

~~~
jusben1369
One_of the fascinating parts of_true startups for many people_is that_there
aren't concrete definitive answers. Rampant speculation is a_fun_exercise that
can lead_you to discoveries that you never would have found_if you didn't
start down that path._Embrace the rampant.

~~~
ktizo
_Embrace_the_rampant_

But_be very careful of_doing so in public lest you_fall foul of indecency
laws.

------
rmATinnovafy
This is just_a sympton of the real problem. A_fair amount of startups (and
other small_businesses) don't have a clue_about who_their average customer is.
They go_and build their_MVP without_ever thinking about_how the sell the darn
thing. After_the code is_written they set out to find_someone_who will pay_for
their_product.

This_just leads_to them creating_some_ridiculous pricing_schemes_that will
never prove to be sustainable._They_think this is some sort of loss-leader
strategy,_but its not. Loss-leaders_must_actually turn a profit_to be
considered as such. Add_in the highly used but seldomnly_tested freemium
model,_and what_you get is a bunch of people who are great at_writing code,
but are pretty bad at_selling.

And how can you_improve your_selling_skills if you_don't_even know_who you are
selling to?

Now, Sacha does make_a good_point. Cheap people are a pain_in the behind to
deal_with._They have an overgrown sense of_entitlement, most of the time they
are_rude, and will nickel and_dime_you_till death. But you know_whose fault is
that? Yours. You did_not do your_homework. Cheap people are a market, and_they
are_profitable if you know how to_work_them. The minute you offer them
support,_the_minute_they will treat you like_their personal punching bag.
Pricing yourself out_of the "cheap zone" is the best strategy you_can have if
your_product is