[dkrich]

The value of the App.net from a developer perspective is that it’s an out-of-the-box social network, platform, and API that allows developers to quickly bring their ideas to life. I think that if App.net is going to be successful, they need to sell this vision apart from Alpha, and make it clear that App.net is where startup founders should build their next world-changing product, whether it’s built on the web, on Android, or iOS.

When pitching developers, App.net needs to focus on making it clear that they are offering a development platform for applications, providing much of the foundation required to build apps like Foursquare, Instagram, and Path. The built-in community also helps to decrease the barriers for rapid user adoption.

What the heck does that mean? I still have no idea what App.net is apart from a paid alternative to free social networks that frees users from ads. I think their marketing efforts should start by not speaking in such vague terms that offer no insight into what benefits might be derived and just come clean. If crafting that message is exceedingly difficult to do, I think that speaks volumes about the value proposition.

[dasil003]

The value proposition is that if you develop an app on App.net and start making money, App.net will not pull the rug out from under you. Furthermore, you don't have to trust their word on this as their business structure is designed to ensure this.