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He's been helping startups since long before he joined HN. He's built up a following of his own. He's been telling us all for a while that we can monetise a mai
by richardw 14y ago
He's been helping startups since long before he joined HN. He's built up a following of his own. He's been telling us all for a while that we can monetise a mailing list, so when he builds one and starts selling a how-to-sell-via-mail on it, we shouldn't be terribly surprised. And he didn't submit it to HN, someone else did.
Here are some of the responses:
1) It must be free.
Well, he's always telling us how to compete with free. Nothing stops us from reading the huge set of equivalent material online, but it'll cost more for anyone who values their time.
2) This is too expensive.
He's repeatedly told us that people who say this shouldn't be the focus of our marketing. Focus on the ones who have the means and ability to recognise value. Capture the consumer surplus where possible.
3) It's too cheap.
Don't worry, he'll find a way to extract the consumer surplus at some point. This is a great lead-in to consulting.
And you know what? Great. Make the money, Pat. Tell us how to do these things, and then show us in a very tangible way how it works, by convincing us to buy something. If that doesn't teach the principles, not much else will.
- alphazulu 14y agoPatrick built up good karma and now he's CASHING OUT. His advice wasn't free. Oh no. The invoice is in now. Ka Ching! I actually like Patrick, but come on people.
- brianfryer 14y agoI worked with Patio11 on the WP Engine project his info product revolves around, and know very well the caliber of his character (especially when it comes to helping startups). Knowing that, This comment is the funniest thing I've read all day. I SRS LOL'd.
- alphazulu 14y agoI have no doubt Patrick is a stand up, high calibre guy. But he is also cashing out on his HN karma. He understands the herd / lemming mentality around here. That's okay, I think it's smart, and the product will be good.
- deleted 14y ago[deleted]
- ptmx 14y agoYes, there's reciprocity in this world, but it should be obvious to any unbiased observer that this wasn't part of some elaborate scheme on Patrick's part to grab the money of HN users. Patrick has spent countless hours providing invaluable advice to this community for free -- even if you want to take the most negative interpretation of his motives, this simply wouldn't be worth it. If you want to spend years doling out awesome advice for free and then "cashing out" like this, I encourage you to do so. It would certainly be more valuable than bringing up the insipid "everything is selfish" argument.