Ask HN: Solopreneur(Tech) seeks pricing demo/selling/negotiation advice

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=6198319

by dudeofjude • 13 years ago

2 2 13 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

Hey Guys,

I have kind of spent some 3 months on designing a product. The collective features that I provide, if you use other softwares would cost somewhere around 500 - 600 USD per month.

The MVP is ready, and I want to approach the first customer. I want to do a demo for him. And then make sure at least he pays me half the market price.

If you kind of throw in pointers how to go about price negotiation, and convince him to use my product. It will be really helpful for me.

I am basically a developer, mostly geeky, don't possess good sales skills. So feel free to throw in whatever you want to.

Thanks!

inovica• 13 years ago

If you don't mind me saying I think you need to get out of your comfort zone and talk with people about your product. It will make a massive difference and you will not be finding out 2nd or 3rd hand what people like and don't like. Thats what I did years ago with my first one and it made a massive difference. I was naturally shy when younger (as many people are) but conquering that made a huge difference. Good luck with it

lifeisstillgood• 13 years ago

1. Identify twenty likely customers, mostly through LinkedIn

2. Contact them with a short honest linkedin mail thing. (It comes at 20 quid a month or so to LinkedIn).

3. Arrange demos with as many if them as possible - online or in person.

4. Be clear what benefits the product gives these people - more accurate tracking? How much is that worth? There is always a way to get to the bottom line - post here if you are stuck

5. In the demo focus in the benefit to them.

6. Pricing - ask them what they would pay first. They will probably push back. Don't be silly at this point. Stick with your 500/mth figure. If they are interested great. If they want to pay less that's also great but then they must give or do something for the discount. - mostly that can be being part of the beta program - where they are obliged to take a ten min how's it going call with you each month the discount applies.

7. Send an invoice the day they say yes. Don't faff about with credit cards - send invoice and chase up.

I have missed some stuff - but try that

Ask HN: Solopreneur(Tech) seeks pricing demo/selling/negotiation advice

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