Actually this didn't anger our readers at all, the opposite in fact. Its very easy for people to forget that there are people behind web companies that have to eat, sleep under a roof, and occasionally blow some money on something fun every once in a while like Skiing.
Teachers are very reasonable people, so we're being straight forward about the situation and reminding them that we're not Google; we don't make money from ads, we make money from building software applications.
It amazes me how people assume free products "monetized" by ads are the norm when in fact it is a freakish anomaly for any business. Most companies run like lemonade stands; you pay for water, lemons and sugar, mix it all up, setup a stand, and sell it to a customer for an amount that covers your costs and gives you reasonable profits to cover your risk.
Agree. Based on some of the comments and re-tweets from educators themselves, it is clear that they are reasonable. They just want to pinch pennies (And who doesn't?). Unfortunately, there is a minimum level for us to charge that still makes sense to even sell to them in the first place.
As a poster above mentioned earlier, just having to deal with a PO process almost automatically means you have to charge more just on that basis, as dealing with the paper back and forth process, collecting on invoices, etc., adds up to a significant portion of the acquisition costs. Unfortunately, it schools continue to insist on a purchase ordering model, they'll have to also keep paying for it in all the services/products they consume.
In fact, if you want an interesting business opportunity, it could be to build a product that helps schools/educational institutions buy shit more smartly!!! Using credit cards and expense reimbursements from staff members rather than a centralized purchase order/paper check system. Blech!
Teachers are very reasonable people, so we're being straight forward about the situation and reminding them that we're not Google; we don't make money from ads, we make money from building software applications.
It amazes me how people assume free products "monetized" by ads are the norm when in fact it is a freakish anomaly for any business. Most companies run like lemonade stands; you pay for water, lemons and sugar, mix it all up, setup a stand, and sell it to a customer for an amount that covers your costs and gives you reasonable profits to cover your risk.