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The "complete package" gave me sticker shock, so much that I almost closed the page then and there. It was only out of curiosity as to why the $200 price tag wa

by t4nkd 14y ago

The "complete package" gave me sticker shock, so much that I almost closed the page then and there. It was only out of curiosity as to why the $200 price tag was worthwhile that I even kept reading to find more purchase options. It put a bad taste in my mouth, honestly, and I'm left feeling pretty confused by why you won't let me cherry pick my own interview+book package. I'm just having trouble seeing the dollar value in what you've assembled, though I'm sure if I broke out each piece of what you're offering, it'd seem like quite a deal, no one is offering "pieces" of what you're offering, so I just see the whole thing as overpriced. I was excited to follow the development of this through the newsletter, but I'm not a customer now. Maybe if you offered to trickle out the interview content as you developed it, for some kind of $9/mo fee? I would've been on board with that, or a similar approach. Though I guess not being a total squid I might not have been your target, I was really just interested in what those accomplished professionals had to say, maybe also thumbing through the book -- which while I'm at it -- I'm also not convinced provides the kind of value a $30 price should. I was kind've under the impression you'd include some real "how-to" meat, at least periodically, but there doesn't appear to be any of that. I think I'd get more value out of "Don't Make Me Think" or "Rocket Surgery Made Easy", and I could score both in a native kindle format(for $30). I think you probably did a lot of hard work, and I'm still tempted to spend the $200 just for the interviews; but I don't feel good enough about what I might be getting. I saw the early version of the Ryan Singer interview and it didn't leave a $200 impression. I hope you've had a lot more success selling to others who really need a comprehensive resource or don't understand many of the fundamentals, it certainly seemed like it would be more valuable for them. Also, just as an aside, the WordPress favicon feels cheap, and worse, lazy.

nathanbarry 14y ago
Thanks for the feedback. I am always trying to improve my content, sites, and marketing. My target market is people who are serious about web applications. In an industry where it isn't hard to charge $100-250 an hour for design or development work, $200 for everything included doesn't seem like a lot. But I understand that for some people (students) that can be a ton of money, so I am also selling the book by itself. I have no intention of competing with standard eBook prices ($5 or $10?). It's just not worth the time it takes to put together a book. I am really curious to see how people react to the pricing order (highest to lowest). So thanks for your feedback on that in particular!
- flyosity 14y ago
  Hey Nathan, I sell e-books on iOS design, and my 2 cents re: price is to show all the prices in the same visual area so people can see immediately that they have a choice other than the $200. I had to scroll down pretty far past the $200 to see that just the individual book was available (and I'd guess that a ton of people are going to just buy the book, since it's a lot of great content at a really great price!) so rather than lose a lot of buyers at the $200 price point, why not gain them at a lower price point by visually positioning all the bundles together so people can choose?
  - nathanbarry 14y ago
    Mike, Thanks for the feedback (I've read nearly every article on your site). I'll definitely try out some different layouts for the packages. I wanted to see what affect flipping the package order would have.
- pc86 14y ago
  On the issue of price, is there avenue where someone can purchase the book and "upgrade" to the higher packages later?
  - nathanbarry 14y ago
    Sure. Just send me an email by replying to your purchase receipt.
- javajosh 14y ago
  Was your thinking was to put the higher priced package first to make the reader feel like the less expensive packages later one are a better deal? It's an interesting idea and I'm glad you're doing the experiment. I wouldn't let the comments here dissuade you too strongly from attempting this. However, you absolutely need final "Buy the book" button at the bottom of the page. And ditch the question at the bottom of the page - "Are you ready to buy?" is far less effective than a simple call to action - for example, a "Buy Now" button. :)
- t4nkd 14y ago

by t4nkd 14y ago

nathanbarry 14y ago

Thanks for the feedback. I am always trying to improve my content, sites, and marketing. My target market is people who are serious about web applications. In an industry where it isn't hard to charge $100-250 an hour for design or development work, $200 for everything included doesn't seem like a lot. But I understand that for some people (students) that can be a ton of money, so I am also selling the book by itself. I have no intention of competing with standard eBook prices ($5 or $10?). It's just not worth the time it takes to put together a book. I am really curious to see how people react to the pricing order (highest to lowest). So thanks for your feedback on that in particular!

flyosity 14y ago
Hey Nathan, I sell e-books on iOS design, and my 2 cents re: price is to show all the prices in the same visual area so people can see immediately that they have a choice other than the $200. I had to scroll down pretty far past the $200 to see that just the individual book was available (and I'd guess that a ton of people are going to just buy the book, since it's a lot of great content at a really great price!) so rather than lose a lot of buyers at the $200 price point, why not gain them at a lower price point by visually positioning all the bundles together so people can choose?
- nathanbarry 14y ago
  Mike, Thanks for the feedback (I've read nearly every article on your site). I'll definitely try out some different layouts for the packages. I wanted to see what affect flipping the package order would have.
pc86 14y ago
On the issue of price, is there avenue where someone can purchase the book and "upgrade" to the higher packages later?
- nathanbarry 14y ago
  Sure. Just send me an email by replying to your purchase receipt.
javajosh 14y ago
Was your thinking was to put the higher priced package first to make the reader feel like the less expensive packages later one are a better deal? It's an interesting idea and I'm glad you're doing the experiment. I wouldn't let the comments here dissuade you too strongly from attempting this. However, you absolutely need final "Buy the book" button at the bottom of the page. And ditch the question at the bottom of the page - "Are you ready to buy?" is far less effective than a simple call to action - for example, a "Buy Now" button. :)
t4nkd 14y ago