Ask HN: If you have a free product, how do you give it away?

Post by vladojsem » Fri, Jun 04, 2021, 1:16 PM UTC

flancrest wrote: post #5

maxk42 wrote: post #3

Really entirely depends on the product / service / industry. Without specifics, we can only give you broad answers. You could always pay for a list from a site like https://www.dataaxleusa.com/

For a little more context, it's https://formcake.com it's basically a form SaaS tool / endpoint

i was hesitating to answer because i did not know what was the product - now i know.

it looks like a niche product for developer community. what i would try:

* write content around how to create web form in different language + add to each article reason why they should use your saas instead

* create a youtube video that would show how to use the product, focus on researched keywords, e.g. how to make a secured web form

* join slack and facebook group communities

* try to promote your tool on producthunt, not because of the sales - but to gather the feedback

* there are many great products out there and some of them have better product market fit + marketing = what i want to say it is more like a marathon than a sprint

good luck!

Post by rapjr9 » Fri, Jun 04, 2021, 5:43 PM UTC

offtop5 wrote: post #2

The issue is you'll have to ask for credit card numbers in order to prevent abuse, so you're not really giving anything away. I would still evaluate anything you call free as I would any other product. Plus integrating into my workflow, pitching it to my manager, these things have a real cost. I'd actually argue you shouldn't offer anything for free, but instead charge whatever makes sense factoring in you're going t…

If I was evaluating a free product I'd be wary of getting locked into it and then discovering missing features that I would have to pay for. That is essentially your business model, but even paying for a product I'd be wary of lock-in these days. Software can be complex enough that you don't discover missing parts or find the API is written in such a way that moving to a different platform is impossible without starting over, long after your business depends on it. So how does anyone know the product will remain free forever, is it open source? Can I fix problems on my own or will I have to pay you? Part of your marketing should be to show how those who try the free tier won't be locked in so when they grow they have a choice of buying from you, other vendors, or doing it themselves. Basically you are giving away a horse, but potential customers realize you have an ulterior motive and hence are going to be very wary of your gift horse.

Re: Ask HN: If you have a free product, how do you give it away?

Re: Ask HN: If you have a free product, how do you give it away?