Comments on: Troubleshooting Free Trials

By: Kaleb Pederson

Kaleb Pederson — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 01:44:34 +0000

> … She still used the word “upload” which doesn’t bother me anymore.

The above is often key. As businesses, our job isn't to correct the users' grammar nor their understanding of what's really happening behind the scenes — it's to help them accomplish the goal that led them to our business. And, ideally, to do so in a way that's pleasurable and easy for the customer to understand.

@Ash – Thank you for helping us keep the true goal in mind.

By: Arthur Klepchukov

Arthur Klepchukov — Thu, 27 May 2010 01:09:05 +0000

Ash, thanks for the post. I'm glad my email inspired such a solid reply. This really helps with the stage I'm at. I knew that “The most indicative (and universal) measure of building something people want is retention” but had to painfully learn “Deliver value first, ask to get paid later”.

By: Ash Maurya

Ash Maurya — Thu, 27 May 2010 00:41:09 +0000

Matt -

I did a post earlier in the year on my experiments with pricing: http://venturehacks.com/articles/pricing-experi...

Pricing is more art than science and the right strategy varies by product. There is a link in the post on a great pricing strategies handbook by Neil Davidson.

Best,

Ash

By: mattharrell

mattharrell — Wed, 26 May 2010 22:42:24 +0000

Great post indeed. Ash, or anyone else, do you know where I can find various examples of pricing strategies that work well for trials and freemium tools? Has anyone done a post or compiled anything that's out there? Any help would be great!

By: Ton Bil

Ton Bil — Wed, 26 May 2010 14:22:19 +0000

For those who are into #leanstartup like me, this detailed experience with trials is good info! (unsure of tweet will contain URL, will update)

By: Scott Harris

Scott Harris — Wed, 26 May 2010 03:18:05 +0000

Great post, Ash. I especially agree about using retention as a key metric for your business. One of the best things about software as a service is you are better able to analyze your retention and whether something you've changed is improving or diminishing your user's experience.