>That would be very expensive. Looks like at least $30 per copy.
How do you reconcile this with your previous comment[1] in this thread:
My target market is people who are serious about web applications. In an industry where it isn't hard to charge $100-250 an hour for design or development work, $200 for everything included doesn't seem like a lot.
? That statement doesn't even apply in this situation. In that statement he's referring to how he's value-priced his product at around the hourly rate of a solid app developer, so purchasing the book (that he's collated together through experience and time) is really not that expensive, especially if you compare it to doing it yourself.
In his second response, he's saying that he'd rather not pay $30 to sell a book that he (was) selling for $29 (now $39).
One statement refers to value of a product to his target market, one refers to simple profit calculation on his own product.
$31 in expenses is a lot for a book that I am selling for $29. I'm not into losing money on every sale. Even if I bumped up the price to $50 for the printed book that is still a crummy margin when you factor in carrying inventory, shipping, and everything else.
I would place buy buttons with a blurb about your money back guarantee at the top right of the page. Ideally I want to know most of the information that will influence my purchase above the fold or get to it easily via links.
I agree with keeping it PHP for now. Take a Lean Startup approach and think of this as your MVP. When you have actual users they will help you decide what other languages/technologies you can use to improve performance etc. but don't optimize prematurely. PHP will be just fine.
I've tried multiple forms of marketing.
1. Admob - Got users to the app, but the app did not retain those users and it was quite expensive to even get them to the app. Over $1 per user for me.
2. Tried facebook ads. Just a complete failure for me.
3. I cross promote my apps within my own apps. That does ok. I'm not exactly sure the exact amount of traffic it drives, but it probably accounts for 5% of the user base on the apps i promote.
4. Facebook, Twitter Sharing. This probably accounts for 5 - 10% of new downloads within an app.
I think this can still be considered an intermediate MVP that can be tested. The goal of lean is to eliminate waste, so there is a risk that an MVP with working code has no demand whatsoever.
One drawback to this approach is that it may give you false negatives. What if you landing page copy doesn't work or your AdWords copy is wrong? As with all lean/custdev hacks ymmv. Bottom line is you need to find customers to talk to, otherwise everything is an assumption.
i don't disagree that there's value in using this stuff. a lot of value. but doing only this is not an MVP. "P" = product, something you're selling, something people are using.
there should be another name for this. MVI maybe? minimum viable idea?
Wikipedia's article on mvp (I know, I know), includes this:
>The canonical MVP strategy for a web application is to create a mock website for the product and purchase online advertising to direct traffic to the site. The mock website may consist of a marketing landing page with a link for more information or purchase. The link is not connected to a purchasing system, instead clicks are recorded and measure customer interest.
the wikipedia article seems to me to be referring to an MVP more as a process, and the smoke testing by creating mock websites as one part of that process.
i can agree with that, on some level, but i still feel that to have a complete MVP (process), you necessarily have to have a P at the end of it.
Great example of taking on an existing market that needs an injection of innovation. Programmable thermostats are easy to install (I installed mine years ago) and can save you lots of money if used properly, but their UIs are terrible. Lots of buttons and inherently unintuitive. I'm surprised I remember how to reset the filter replacement alert.
There is a market need certainly, but is their target market big enough to support the business? I think if you can encourage users to adopt these based on the cost savings then the odds will be better. Lots of home owners will be interested in saving money on their utility bills. Just make sure the UI and features enable users to make efficient use of their HVAC systems. There will definitely have to be a campaign to educate consumers as to why they need this product.
This article shows how difficult it is for many to accept the idea that an individual would choose an entrepreneurial path over a 'regular job.' Why would anyone take the risk?
We take risks, but they are hopefully calculated and well thought out, not reckless. What good is life without taking some risks, especially if you are confident in yourself and your abilities?
"Laws, everything's a chance, isn't it?" - Tom Cullen, The Stand
Excellent interview content-wise, and a very professional looking production. I didn't even mind the ads; it reminded me of listening to Mike & Mike on ESPN radio :) Lean definitely makes sense, and I will be checking out more of your site.
The application asks the questions that you must be able to answer to be successful. What are you building? Who is your competition? It's like a streamlined business plan. Even if you weren't applying to YC this application would be an effective way to pick apart a startup idea.
The big question: how long will it take for this form of manufacturing to achieve the cost effectiveness of current methods? The bottom line for everyone, including consumers, is cost. Don't forget about quality control.
Let's also not assume that we will always be the most innovative. We have to make sure that the current and next generation of students get the quality education they need in math and science to keep us dominant in Tech. Interesting article but lots of assumptions and unanswered questions.
