Comments on: Of celebrities, non-business models and the Twitter tax http://www.blahblahtech.com/2009/02/of-celebrities-non-business-models-and-the-twitter-tax.html Tech' views that are 667% more interesting than the tech' news itself... Wed, 23 May 2012 09:57:24 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: Heidi Cool http://www.blahblahtech.com/2009/02/of-celebrities-non-business-models-and-the-twitter-tax.html#comment-5344 Heidi Cool Thu, 26 Feb 2009 21:28:47 +0000 http://www.blahblahtech.com/?p=1213#comment-5344 What it comes down to is the value of Twitter is based on both the features and on the community. I happily pay for Flickr because it provides a service that is far more efficient than hosting my own photos, and the social component is great for sharing and for finding creative inspiration. I was also perfectly content to pay $20/yr for a pro-account on Pownce because the features were stellar and I found there a community of exceptional designers, developers, photographers and others (including yourself) with who I could share ideas and best practices in addition to fluff and nonsense. With the demise of Pownce I now use Twitter everyday. The feature set isn't as robust as Pownce, but it's where the people are that I wish to follow. If they all suddenly moved to some new service I'd need to follow them there. I'm already using a variety of services, and the communities are different on each (though there is some overlap.) For each service my requirements are that the service fills some need and is populated by people relevant to the way I use the service. What I don't know is how one puts a value on that. Flickr and Pownce chose price points within reach of most users, the cost per day of usage is quite insignificant so deciding to go pro was an easy choice. Basically it's a bargain. If Twitter and other services start charging, they'll need to keep that in mind. I've heard people talk of pricing of $5 -20 or more per month. While that's not a lot for something one uses often, it adds up if you're already paying more than that for Internet service, mobile phones, etc. Such numbers make one ask if it's worth it or not. Each of us will value this differently depending both on our income and our usage, but I think the key would be to set a price point that doesn't create an entry barrier for the average user. Also I'd follow the Flickr model of having a free version with more limited features. I'm not sure how that would work with something like Flickr but given the learning curve new users face in exploring social media having a free option for them to try is a good way to introduce them to the benefits of the service. What it comes down to is the value of Twitter is based on both the features and on the community.

I happily pay for Flickr because it provides a service that is far more efficient than hosting my own photos, and the social component is great for sharing and for finding creative inspiration.

I was also perfectly content to pay $20/yr for a pro-account on Pownce because the features were stellar and I found there a community of exceptional designers, developers, photographers and others (including yourself) with who I could share ideas and best practices in addition to fluff and nonsense.

With the demise of Pownce I now use Twitter everyday. The feature set isn’t as robust as Pownce, but it’s where the people are that I wish to follow. If they all suddenly moved to some new service I’d need to follow them there. I’m already using a variety of services, and the communities are different on each (though there is some overlap.) For each service my requirements are that the service fills some need and is populated by people relevant to the way I use the service.

What I don’t know is how one puts a value on that. Flickr and Pownce chose price points within reach of most users, the cost per day of usage is quite insignificant so deciding to go pro was an easy choice. Basically it’s a bargain. If Twitter and other services start charging, they’ll need to keep that in mind. I’ve heard people talk of pricing of $5 -20 or more per month. While that’s not a lot for something one uses often, it adds up if you’re already paying more than that for Internet service, mobile phones, etc.

Such numbers make one ask if it’s worth it or not. Each of us will value this differently depending both on our income and our usage, but I think the key would be to set a price point that doesn’t create an entry barrier for the average user.

Also I’d follow the Flickr model of having a free version with more limited features. I’m not sure how that would work with something like Flickr but given the learning curve new users face in exploring social media having a free option for them to try is a good way to introduce them to the benefits of the service.

]]> By: CPB http://www.blahblahtech.com/2009/02/of-celebrities-non-business-models-and-the-twitter-tax.html#comment-5334 CPB Mon, 23 Feb 2009 12:50:11 +0000 http://www.blahblahtech.com/?p=1213#comment-5334 This world has been addicted to free things. To tell you all the truth.. Nothing in this world should be free.. There will always be charges to what you do. You cannot sacrifice for the rest of your life doing something free for the people. Learn to help those great developers. This world has been addicted to free things. To tell you all the truth.. Nothing in this world should be free.. There will always be charges to what you do. You cannot sacrifice for the rest of your life doing something free for the people. Learn to help those great developers.

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