The problem of running out of money, be it a startup, a business, a nonprofit social venture, or a software project, is losing the ability to support the missio

The problem of running out of money, be it a startup, a business, a nonprofit social venture, or a software project, is losing the ability to support the mission and probably losing the ability to deliver the services behind it. It's wise to survive, but neither so reciprocity- nor goodwill-hostile as to lose your customer base. It's wise to give excellent value for money so that users evangelize by word of mouth and increase referrals with that kind of undeniably-powerful network effect. Being an excellent business and a profitable one are not mutex. And also it's unwise to defer monetization because it changes the bargain underneath users that feels like a betrayal when that something for nothing doesn't last.