The host challenges conventional wisdom by suggesting that lowering prices could attract a larger customer base. They delve into the advantages of a B2C business model, emphasizing its reach. Expanding on past ideas, they re-evaluate the benefits of launching multiple products simultaneously to discover what resonates with audiences. The episode offers a playful twist, celebrating April Fool's Day while encouraging fresh perspectives in entrepreneurship.
Lowering prices can attract more customers and filter out less committed users, ultimately leading to a more focused client base.
Transitioning to a B2C approach opens up a larger market potential and fosters virality through user recommendations over traditional marketing.
Deep dives
Rethinking Pricing Strategies
Lowering prices can be a viable strategy for attracting more customers, contrary to the conventional belief that increasing prices is always beneficial. By moving from a higher price point to a more accessible one, businesses potentially expand their market significantly, reaching a larger customer base. Although it has been suggested that lower prices could increase churn, this can also be advantageous as it allows for the filtering out of less committed users, ultimately focusing on customers who genuinely need the product. The idea of 2024 as the year for going down market reflects a shift in mindset toward making products more accessible and increasing customer acquisition.
The Value of Targeting Consumers
Targeting consumers instead of businesses can open up a market with billions of potential customers, compared to a limited B2B landscape. Transitioning to a B2C approach makes the development of apps more engaging as these products resonate with everyday users rather than just business clients. Additionally, consumer apps have a natural tendency towards virality, allowing them to market themselves through user recommendations rather than relying solely on conventional marketing strategies. This perspective encourages aspiring founders to consider the excitement and market potential that comes with appealing directly to consumer needs.
Embracing Two-Sided Marketplaces
The dynamics of two-sided marketplaces present unique advantages that challenge previous beliefs about their difficulty to bootstrap. These models enable creators to target two distinct audiences, providing diverse value propositions and product offerings to both sides. Rather than focusing solely on complex software development, a simple approach can effectively connect users, creating value from facilitating interactions. Rethinking the perceived challenges of two-sided marketplaces suggests that they may offer simpler solutions and broader market opportunities than previously thought.
In episode 706.5, join Rob Walling as he reconsiders some of his most common advice. He explores why lowering prices might make sense and discusses the benefits of a B2C business model. Rob also walks back his prior advice on bootstrapping two-sided marketplaces and launching multiple products to see what sticks.
Topics we cover:
1:04 – What would happen if you lowered prices?
3:56 – Benefits of a B2C approach
7:05 – Two-sided marketplaces allow to reach two audiences
8:47 – Launch a bunch of products to see what sticks
If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!