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Here's how I deal with users who steal

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Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#41
post #8

Interesting that the "scholarship" (free) plan isn't mentioned on the homepage. It seems you have to try and steal the product before being offered the free plan. I also like the subtle dig, "if you can't afford it." I've certainly pirated things myself. If iTunes asked me, "We noticed you've pirated The Walking Dead. If you can't afford $3, click here to get it for free." By reframing it as charity I might be shamed…

RE no homepage mention of it: I suspect there are those who would try to get it for free, regardless of how much it costs. It's probably more successful in converting those who wouldn't have paid in the first place - IE by reminding them that they've been "caught out". Having said that, no homepage mention may be turning away the honest users who might genuinely be unable to afford it. Only offering a discount to tho…

> Having said that, no homepage mention may be turning away the honest users who might genuinely be unable to afford it.

That reminds me of Airbrake.io, whose lowest-cost pricing plan was higher than I wanted to spend on a toy site I made recently. On my phone I can't find the text on their site, but in small print on the pricing page it said something like "or, we have a developer plan, which is free for one site and one user."

It was exactly what I was looking for, and I wish there were more ultra barebones plans available for otherwise-paid services.

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#47
post #31
post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's $20 for a chance to greatly simplify selling your music. If someone doesn't see value in that, leave them to submit everything manually IMO. Can't get dragged down by tightarses.

I would suggest a free trial might as a way to demonstrate value. Obviously you can see the "great simplification" only after using it. What is the easier sell - $20 for a possibility (you called it chance) to simplify a pain point you have, or $20 for something you have already observed to simplify said pain point, and have spent time entering data into and possibly making money off of?

I think the service is already more than generous on that front:

"How much will it cost me? You can upload one song for free."

Add in testimonials, press and word of mouth and prospects can get an indication of how useful DistroKid is likely to be.

When I said chance, I was allowing for lack of followthrough on the part of the artists. When there's a service that can get your material in front of purchasers so cheaply, a huge, huge portion of the responsibility to succeed then relies on you to create a saleable product and then drive some interest.

Re: Here's how I deal with users who steal

#48
post #6

The Bill and Ted rule: Be excellent to one another. On the other hand, I have to wonder about the story of the police officer - how much is it going to cost that woman to deal with the misdemeanor?

Probably less than the felony she may have gotten.

Shoplifting isn't typically a felony — at least at a grocery store.
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