Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In today’s episode, we discuss how the location we live affects our businesses. We compare our experiences on the coasts with those in the Midwest of the U.S. and consider the different cultures and resources that those locations can offer an indie business or a startup. We consider the importance of a local tech scene in developing a community and share some hints for building your own Meetups and developing your local community. Finally, we talk about the relative merits of living in a metropolis versus a smaller city for networking and making connections that can benefit you and you business.
Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Today we’re joined by Jiva DeVoe of Random Ideas Software, who shares his thoughts on running and building an App Store business. Jiva shares his thoughts on returning to business fundamentals and why today’s indies could learn a thing or two from Mac indies of the pre-App Store era. He also explains why there’s never been a better time than now to be run a software business. We discuss the importance of a business plan, building reputation, and the dangers of blindly copying the examples of others – no matter how successful they are. Finally we consider the difference between running a business and running a company, and how that difference can affect those of us in the App Store.
Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

Today we conclude our discussion on app pricing that began in the last episode. We discuss charging for app updates, and try to learn from the experience of companies like Realmac Software (maker of Clear) and The Omni Group (maker of OmniFocus) who have tried to charge customers for their iOS 7 updates. Then we turn our attention to price stability in the App Store, advertising sale prices for your app, and optimizing your app price through experimentation. Finally, we consider charging desktop prices for iPad apps, testing our assumptions, and the importance of building an app business, instead of just building an app.
Continue reading →

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: RSS

In this episode, we add our two cents to the ongoing conversation about app pricing. We start by asking if paid apps are really dead, or if there’s still a place for paid apps in the App Store. Next, we discuss the future of premium priced apps, and consider the uncomfortable question of whether these are really the kinds of apps that Apple wants to see in its ecosystem. Then we turn our attention to mid-priced apps, and the apparent collapse of the $2 to $5 app market that both Charles and Joe have noticed. Has this collapse effectively given rise to two different App Stores? Finally, we look at price signaling and the message that an app’s price sends to potential customers.

Be sure to tune in next week for the conclusion of this discussion on app pricing.
Continue reading →