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A subscription doesn't necessarily have to be a barrier to new users. You could offer basic functionality for free with a subscription to unlock extra features.
by daveFNbuck 9y ago
A subscription doesn't necessarily have to be a barrier to new users. You could offer basic functionality for free with a subscription to unlock extra features. This sort of model has been very successful in other areas.
- wenc 9y agoThe freemium model is exactly what Internations uses. It's free to join but you have to pay to unlock certain features [1]. Unfortunately the market already has free alternatives (e.g. Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Slack.com etc.) that are more mainstream, have a larger inventory of events and people (network effect again), and that work better so it's pretty hard to provide a sufficiently differentiated product worth paying for. [1] https://www.internations.org/support/faq/membership https://www.internations.org/support/faq/membership
- daveFNbuck 9y agoI'm not super familiar with Meetup or Eventbrite, but Slack is freemium too.
- daveFNbuck 9y agoIt looks like Internations locks up basic functionality rather than bonus features. You can't have much of a social network if you can't "join groups and attend their activities"
- trolliloquy 9y agoDiscord App does this really nicely. They keep their platform free for basic usage but you've to buy the bling. A vain, yet fun, spending keeps the platform alive. People buy glittery items like make overs, buttons, or GIFs (not sure), very similar to what reddit gives you when you're gilded. Probably, a social network can sell virtual tractors & houses to keep their platform alive.