When I set out to build this website, there was a question in my mind about what the end goal was and how to get there.
I have written elsewhere about what I’m trying to do with these courses, and how I think they bring a unique perspective to learning to improvise on a wind instrument. I’ve purchased a number of the programs and modules that are out there.
And having done so, I’ve seen a few things consistently in those programs that feel a little bit “lacking” for me. I realized that some of those things might be a problem for other people, too. So I’m trying to address those issues in the materials I’m planning to develop and release over time.
Now, developing these materials, developing a website to promote these materials and then trying to maintain it all and keep it relevant and helpful for an audience can be a daunting task, not to mention an expensive one.
But I don’t want to take the position that you should buy my courses because I could use the money to cover all my costs. That would be kind of silly.
I think you should buy a product if you see the value in it.
But, having said that, it does beg the question:
How much are courses like this really worth?
To be honest, I’m not really sure how to price a product like this. I could look at it from the perspective of how long it takes to develop the materials, how many I think people might be interested in buying, how long it would take to break even and the like.
But I’m realizing that my costs and my efforts aren’t what should motivate you to pay for a product. What motivates you (and what should be the driving factor for me) is whether or not you feel there is value to a couple hours worth of training material.
There is a lot of stuff out there on youtube if you look, that you can access for free. And there are a lot of courses like mine (similar, though I think I’ve improved on some of their shortcomings) that people seem to be willing to spend $30, $40 or ever $55 to $60 to download and use. Perhaps it makes sense to think in terms of how many dollars-per-hour you’re spending to get something that helps you.
Setting up a website as a marketing engine is a daunting task.
I’ve realized that trying to set all this up with a payment gateway and the like is just a huge commitment of time and money, and I don’t know how it would all work out anyway.
But I feel what I have to offer people is of some value – some real, honest-to-goodness dollar value.
So, based on the idea that I think I offer something of value, and that there are good people in this world who will see what I am presenting, I’m going to try an experiment here. I’m (for now, anyway) skipping all the technicalities of making the contents of my site here an “impenetrable fortress” from people who might want something for nothing, and take a chance on people’s good human nature.
Rather than trying to protect all my content like Fort Knox, I’m going to take more of a “farmer’s roadside stand” approach and put the stuff out there, trusting people to decide if I’ve offered them something of value, and trust them to compensate accordingly out of the goodness of their hearts.
In other words,
I’m going with ” pay what you think it’s worth” pricing.
I’m going to list my products with a “suggested price” of what I think the product is worth, based on what I believe I have to offer and what is out there that would sell elsewhere, sometimes for more money and with less value (to me, anyway).
But I’m going to allow you to set your own price, if you disagree with mine.
Here’s how it works.
You enroll in any course. You can make a payment when you start. Or, you can look around a bit and “test drive” some of the materials for a bit. See if you think there is true value in it for you. And if you do, you can pay the “suggested price” or set a price of your own.
My goal is to offer materials that will help you learn to play and improvise on your wind instrument. If you think the materials are worth paying for in order to support my goal with this website, to help pay for the time and effort I’ve invested and to help me move into doing this more “full time” and to be able to develop more resources, then make a payment you feel is fair – either my “suggested price” or whatever amount you feel is fair.
If you sign up for a course but find it isn’t offering something of value to you, I won’t be insulted. But if you do find I’ve benefitted you with the offerings here, I’ll trust you to do what you feel is appropriate.
I do ask you to register for the courses, even if you decide not to pay for them.
Here’s why.
I’m looking for you to provide your name and email address to register for the course. I’m not going to hold you hostage, or hunt you down for any payment later on. I just want to have contact info to follow up down the road regarding updates and other materials.
I promise that I will only use your email address to:
- follow up (once, or perhaps twice, depending) to see if you benefitted from what I offer and if you’re interested in providing feedback;
- to let you know if I’ve updated any of the materials for any of the courses you’ve signed up for;
- to let you know when I’ve got a new product that you might find helpful in your “improv journey.”
I promise not to:
- pass your information on to other parties;
- pester you with endless offers. If I end up putting out a newsletter or something, I will let you decide if you want to subscribe to it.
I don’t want to hassle you. I only want to provide value. And I trust you enough to let you decide if you think my suggested price is fair.
So take a look around at what I’m putting together. Check out what the competition offers, and where I think I’ve been able to refine and improve on it. And if you think I’ve hit the target, feel free to pay my suggested price, or your own price if you choose.
The “suggested price” is just that – a suggestion.
If you think the price is super-good for the offering, I’m not going to refuse extra money, if you want to do that. But I’d rather you let your friends know that there is some quality content here.
And if you truly don’t think it’s worth what I’m asking, but you still think it’s worth something (or if you just don’t have the money) then do what you think is right.
No judgements. I trust you to pay what you think it’s worth if you can. And I’m not going to judge you if you can’t afford it.
I look forward to seeing how this is going to go. But I do trust there are a lot of good people out there who just might appreciate this approach.
Thanks for stopping by.