New record: two days in a row with video posts! Thanks for the encouragement, on the blog and off.
Today I talk about the thing I hate the most about being an entrepreneur. While “the most” might be hyperbolic, it’s at least the thing that’s causing me the most discomfort right now.
This is also the longest video to date, which is especially interesting when you consider how conscious I was of my slurred S’s. The slurring was caused by braces, not beer.
Lastly, I mentioned Tim Brownson‘s new book “How to Be Rich and Happy.” To be accurate, I should say Tim and John’s new book, but I only know and have talked to Tim about the book. (The link is NOT an affiliate link.)
Hey Charlie, you’re getting better with the video. FYI my wife just finished up with almost two years of braces. It does get better after the first few days.
Oh yeah, pricing. I was all set to talk about tactical versus strategic and then I heard your wrap up. That really spoke to me – worry less about payouts, just focus on value. It also seems odd to me that people would focus on the unit payout without regard to potential volume when they are deciding whether or not to review. I would surely rather end up with a few hundred $5 payouts than a handful of $30 or $40 payouts. And you would think that folks could do a review lite for quick hit tactical products like Email Triage.
I surely hope that the ideas you brought up in this video spread.
.-= Mike Stankavich´s last blog ..I’m Going To Play Dave Navarro’s Bigger Game, And So Can You =-.
Hey Charlie!
Oh yeah. Pricing. Oh joy.
I mentioned that in my post about Tim and John’s book.
(And the free thing….I’ve been dragging my feet getting into it but see people like Naomi and Dave Navarro make it work. Then again, the blog is free and out there.)
But this is why I’m splitting up the two series I’m developing on “Creating: Your Life” and “Creating: Your Business”. They’ll be segmented into modules so that the pricing will be affordable and people can either get the whole series, or target specific topics that they need.
But yeah. It’s one of the things I hate most too. 😉
Thanks for your perspective.
And congrats on another video! (Hope the adjustment to the braces happens quickly for you!)
All the best!
deb
.-= Deb Owen´s last blog ..if you want to be happy for the rest of your life…..(How to Be Rich and Happy) =-.
I think that value wins out over time. People may be overpricing themselves right now but that’s because social media is truly a free-for-all out there. The rules are still being made, and until the unwritten rules become more of the culture, then I think prices will better reflect value. If you truly intend on producing value and prove it in the marketplace, you deserve to be rewarded for that. Don’t feel guilty for charging what great content is worth, just because there’s a bunch of schmucks out there. Social media is all about community building. You have a network of contacts you trust and you base your decisions out of that trust, price is somewhat of a secondary issue. Yes price will dictate some groups over others, but people find $ for the things that they value. Fast money goes away just as fast. Let the power of social media dictate the last man standing. The technology is still too early and the business prospects are still being figured out. It’s a beautiful thing…let’s see where it takes us
.-= Alexander Rinehart´s last blog ..ARinehartDC: New Economy Superstar: a New Chance to be Happy, Wealthy and Independent http://j.mp/superstar1 =-.
Charlie, thank you for this.
I wouldn’t exactly say I “hate” pricing, but I find it difficult. When I made the Staff Blogging Course, I had no idea what to charge: I could probably have asked for $49 or something crazy.
I went with $19 in the end. Ultimately, I had to ask myself what *I* felt was a fair price for my effort. (I also, like you, wanted the product to be affordable to people who needed it.)
I review a number of products and services. Sometimes I earn money as an affiliate, sometimes I don’t. I review products with no affiliate scheme, and products from Amazon (which pay a few pennies). Yes, the reviews help pay back some of the time I spend on Aliventures — but my primary criteria for reviewing is “Did this help me and will it help my readers?”
You’re the first blogging in our broad niche who I’ve found whose views on pricing click with mine. I’ve got a few products planned in the $10 – $30 (or more likely $9 – $27) range too.
.-= Ali Hale´s last blog ..10 Scary-but-Exciting Reasons to Work for Yourself =-.
Dear Charlie,
a) Thank you for your candor and insight.
b) Jack Johnson shirt. Rock on.