VentureMash Blog

Kathy Sierra on User Superpowers

We missed this one last year but we're glad we finally got to it. We love the focus on creating users and giving them "superpowers." We haven't implemented a WTF button yet, but it's tempting. If you have seen Kathy Sierra's keynotes, not all of this will be new, but if you haven't this is a great intro to her approach to the product development process and where you should focus your attention. 

Sivers on Hiring a Programmer

Derek Sivers, the founder of CD Baby, provides some advice for hiring a programmer to help develop a prototype. Check out Derek's post on his blog. I've heard of others struggling with similar issues. How do you hire someone to help make your idea into a prototype. What features do you cut? Do you focus on finding a co-founder or just a contractor?

If you are a developer, what would make you help someone build a prototype? Is it just the cash or something else?

If you are the non-technical entrepreneur, how have you solved this problem?

Making Freemium Work - Panel at Google I/O

For those entrepreneurs exploring SaaS applications and freemium models, this panel from Google I/O covers a lot of good territory. Here are a few of the highlights:
  • People often choose the plan that optimizes for least surprise rather lowest price
  • Understanding value of product comes before understanding pricing
  • Based on the panel's experience conversion rates typically fall in the 2-5% range
  • Most people won't pay you for features in the paid version, but they will pay for more usage of that same feature set