Comments on: Plugins for sale? your opinion wanted please

By: CarpetGuy

CarpetGuy — Thu, 11 Nov 2010 19:09:42 +0000

I have used CommentLuv quite a bit in the past, and now will again, since the changes. All of your hard work has been enjoyed FREE for a long time now, I think having a paid alternative is a great idea, but for me, a monthly subscription is not as favorable as a one time payment, that is where you could maybe offer all three choices, free, upgrade (1 payment) and super duper upgrade (monthly). If each level offers more and more goodies, that should work, count me in, I’ll help as much as I can.
CarpetGuy´s recent blog post ..Who is pulling the strings in Washington

By: Ken Kaminesky

Ken Kaminesky — Fri, 29 Oct 2010 16:10:00 +0000

I just did a complete redesign to my blog and added Comment Luv after reading about it. Already i can see the value for bloggers to have this plugin installed as I have noticed multiple clicks on the few people who have used it when leaving a comment. It’s kind like a form of Comment Karma :^)

Getting more traffic is the key to any blog or website and Comment Luv is a welcome addition to my new blog design. Adding a premium version that could increase traffic to my site would be a no brainer. While free is nice, you often get what you pay for. If the features on a paid version of Comment Luv helped generate any substantial amount of traffic, then $15 would be a small price to pay.

Good luck with the project!
Ken Kaminesky´s recent blog post ..National Art Museum of Catalonia in Barcelona- Spain

By: sari

sari — Tue, 26 Oct 2010 04:44:05 +0000

cool, i like this
sari´s recent blog post ..Slow Rock 90 Inka Christie &amp Poppy Mercury

By: B.Traveller

B.Traveller — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 22:39:27 +0000

First of all, I can definitely see this being your main source of income in the future, Andy.

And a premium plugin is a good start. Just don’t start charging for something that used to be free, because that’s reducing your growth factor intensely.

However, if you make a premium plugin with new features alongside the existing free plugin, that’s a GREAT model, and it’s worked for lots of other products too. The free plugin will always be around to introduce people to CL, and those who really want more advanced features will get the better one.

It’s the perfect plan.

I look forward to seeing you take over the world,
BT
B.Traveller´s recent blog post ..How to Increase your Power through Travel

By: Mitchell Allen

Mitchell Allen — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 05:21:17 +0000

Andy, great job pulling all this together in the newsletter. I know that’s a chore.
Here’s my take on the fee-fi-foe freemium model:

You have the well-deserved reputation. People who recognize value will pay.
I really think you are asking the wrong question. You should be asking yourself, “How can I turn my plugin skills into an automated widget factory?”

Think of the prefatory remarks you made before posing the question to us:
*I would love to release the other ones I have in my bag of plugins
*amount of time it takes to support the users of the plugin
*constant updates that are required to keep it up to date and bug free
*modifications to WordPress
*I would dearly love to work on them full time
*I can show my family that it’s worth it

You are looking at a classic e-myth dilemma: the gifted craftsman who wants to become an entrepreneur (note that I’m not calling YOU a wannabe, I’m just saying that this is what confronts anyone who aspires to profit from their creations.)

Essentially, you have to decide which parts of the craft can be replicated, outsourced and/or automated and which parts require your personal touch.

Some of it seems obvious, such as outsourcing support. Others would depend on the amount of control you wish to retain over the creative process.

Finally, from the financial perspective, I suspect that, by catering to the ginormous WordPress target market, one or two “hits” will give your family the cash flow to remove all obstacles to your doing this the way you really want to.

Everything else is details.

Cheers,

Mitch
Mitchell Allen´s recent blog post ..Gee Whillickers

By: Dennis Edell

Dennis Edell — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 22:13:59 +0000

Now that’s a very good idea.
Dennis Edell´s recent blog post ..Welcome! Part 5 – The Initial DEDC Network Revealed

By: Andy Bailey

Andy Bailey — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 19:41:37 +0000

Gail: thanks for your feedback. I think the anti spambot plugin might be more useful as a ‘foot in the door’ to show bloggers how useful my plugins are. I’m really glad it’s doing it’s job on your site.

By: Andy Bailey

Andy Bailey — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:21:50 +0000

Thanks for your feedback Christine! I would only need to make a nominal charge to make it worthwhile. I want to make it small enough so that someone wouldn’t hesitate too much but make it big enough so it shows the value of the plugin.

By: Andy Bailey

Andy Bailey — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:20:04 +0000

I agree Dennis. I think this one is simple enough that it doesn’t need to be premium, it’s also useful enough that it would be more value as a way for me to advertise my other plugins by adding some text to the settings page.

By: Christine

Christine — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 16:01:05 +0000

Absolutely! If there’s a plugin, or a theme, or really anything that will make my life easier and my blogs better, I would have no problem paying for it. I don’t think $15 is unreasonable for something like that. I appreciate all that you do and feel that you should absolutely be compensated.
Christine´s recent blog post ..Mmmm- Crockpot Pot Roast