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Apr 23, 2020Liked by Jonathan Oron

"Never compete on price."

I think we're always competing on price to one extent or another. It's always a factor in the customer's purchasing decision (and in their ongoing decision to keep paying).

I think what people mean is: "don't make price the only factor you compete on." That makes sense. 👍

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> NEVER, I repeat, NEVER compete on price.

I've always known this deep down, but only recently embraced it. Not just because I tremble at the idea of trying to make a living from $5/mo subscriptions, but even more so because I want my work to massively help the people who use it. And for better or worse, people invest more in things they've already invested in.

Two years ago I started an accountability group that cost $650 per year to join and I immediately got two people inside. I pivoted away because I was inexperienced enough to realize that $1,300 in two weeks for a brand new idea with no audience was good, not bad.

Despite the fact that the community never lived up to what I hoped it would, I'm still having regular accountability check-ins with one of those two people.

My next venture is largely based around community once again. And I strongly feel that pricing on the higher side is the way to go. Because it's a community about belonging and self actualization and being the best version of yourself. And - aside from the fact that I'll be spending my full days on this and can't afford to sell it for less - nobody is going to believe the dream you're selling them if the pricetag doesn't match. If I tell you how much this thing could help you, and then I ask you for $5... there's going to be some cognitive dissonance there.

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