initiative.sh[0], a web-based text interface for creative D&D play. After a promising response on HN[1], I had hoped that I might be able to monetize the projec

initiative.sh[0], a web-based text interface for creative D&D play. After a promising response on HN[1], I had hoped that I might be able to monetize the project, but traffic has since crashed to almost nothing. I would say that after six months of full-time development it is about halfway to being complete as a freemium product, so instead I've opted to open-source it.[2] It turns out that the challenge with launching a freemium product is that you need something that's both useful as a free tool while also having a compelling value-add for paid users. That's a lot for one person to build. I don't think I'll be aiming for that monetization strategy with future projects. I have to confess that I'm (barely) missing the qualifying income bracket - some kind soul is supporting me for $5/mo on buymeacoffee.[3] [0] https://initiative.sh/ https://initiative.sh/ [1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29106581 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29106581 [2] https://github.com/initiative-sh/initiative.sh/ https://github.com/initiative-sh/initiative.sh/ [3] https://www.buymeacoffee.com/initiative https://www.buymeacoffee.com/initiative