If you want high engagement, charge upfront. No free trials!
When I offered free trials for Founders Cafe, I got a lot of no shows / lack of engagement. When I started charged upfront (even minimally), the engagement sky rocketed.
I also started a Gay Sorority at Stanford, and had similar findings. I asked people to pay $20 upfront, but if they couldn't due to financial pressures, they could email me and I waived it.
The people who paid upfront were HELLA COMMITTED (barely any no shows). Everyone else who waived the fee barely showed.
I wonder what it might be like to consider a minimum fee if you need high engagement.
People value when they pay.
I'm curious about how you decided on the $158 price point?
Also, how do you deal with clients unsatisfied after 1 month? (given that it is billed annually)
the outcomes were insane (most members got funded, got into YC, got traction, etc). the community members feedback said I should price based on outcomes/value so i did
i haven't gotten any feedback like that. if i did i would give a prorated refund. there was one case where someone couldnt access the community much bc his time zone was really wack, so i just refunded them
Ok makes sense -- very cool.
I like it.
Thanks for sharing. This aligns with what I learned - validate ideas by asking people to pay. If a few people are committed to pay, you will find a lot more clients.