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Today we look at the recent Apple event and reflect on what lessons from the newly rolled out Apple Watch can be applied to our own products. We talk about why Joe is excited about getting an Apple Watch and Charles is holding off for now. We also look at how price tiers affect what customers pay for, the revelation that there will be an App Store for the watch, and how our views on Apple Watch development has changed since the Fall.
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“Sustainable pricing” is a phrase that’s tossed around a lot in indie circles, and it has recently bubbled to the top of many developers’ minds, so today we take a look at what exactly we mean by “sustainable pricing” and how we can apply that concept when pricing our own apps in the App Store. We discuss how pricing strategy should differ between mass market and niche apps, why we should occasionally experiment with price, and whether we should consider creating multiple related apps that target different price points.
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Today we discuss the the book Turning Pro by Steven Pressfield which deals with the development of a “pro mentality” among artists, authors, makers, and entrepreneurs. We talk about what separates pros from amateurs, dealing with fear, the concept of “shadow careers,” and the qualities that mark a professional mindset.
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Today we’re joined by Alex Solonsky and Vadim Shpakovski, the team behind the personal finance app Saver 2. Alex and Vadim recently released Saver 2 as a separate SKU from Saver 1, with the intention of moving their side business from a “hobby” to their full-time job. So today we talk to them about their experience in charging customers for updates, their choice of pricing models, their use of IAP subscriptions for premium features, and how they respond to customers who are resistant to paying for software on a recurring basis.
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We’ve all heard the time honored advice that you shouldn’t “put all your eggs in one basket,” but that’s exactly what many independent developers do. They have their entire business riding on the success (or failure) of one app, or maybe just a couple apps. Today we look at this phenomenon and consider the risk involved. Is this a necessary coping strategy for independent developers with too little time, or are we all putting our our businesses in danger?
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