[purplelobster]

I'm starting to wonder if I'm completely doomed selling to consumers. Consumers seems so fickle, they won't pay for anything software related it seems, even if it helps them a lot. Like they'll put down hundreds of dollars for a language class, but they'll sweat over a $5 app that would help their learning in said class.

Here's an example of a common attitude. Some guy launching his app on reddit (not me):

"Just use this: https://ankiweb.net

It is free and is better than OP's crap app.

you want money for your crap = keep you shit. i dont need it."

[zavulon]

The only reason selling to businesses is better, is that by buying your product, businesses will make more money - that's why they don't have a problem forking over $X, since it will help them make $X*Y, resulting in a net $ gain.

If you find a similar niche for consumers - i.e. sell something to consumers that will help them make more money they will pay for it. Alternatively, if it will help them get laid more, they will pay for it as well. If your consumer oriented software does anything else other than helping users make more money / get more/better sex, then your consumers will definitely be fickle.

[purplelobster]

Or perhaps something that can clearly save them money?

[mindcrime]

Alternatively, if it will help them get laid more, they will pay for it as well. If your consumer oriented software does anything else other than helping users make more money / get more/better sex, then your consumers will definitely be fickle.

Apropos:

http://www.jwz.org/doc/groupware.html

"Your "use case" should be, there's a 22 year old college student living in the dorms. How will this software get him laid?"

[victorf]

My opinion, and I think I got this from Patrick indirectly if not directly, is that you need to be selling something to people that will cause them to receive more money than your product costs. So you cannot target language learners (especially the relative immaturity of Reddit) because it's a hobby, but you can target businesses and professionals because they routinely spend money on tools and services. Sadly that's all I know about it, so I couldn't tell you who that guy should have targeted with the app. Doctors? Lawyers?