I am freakishly attracted to novel ideas.

I have been hanging out with my latest “idea” infatuation for almost 7 months. No longer infatuated, we have moved to commitment.

I tend to build into the design of my businesses, systems which reflect their missions. When I began my first company, I set a modest price for services, unchanged… until recently.

People respond differently to difficult economic times. I tend to see opportunities in times of struggle.   

So, I find business models like pay what you can afford or “Freemium” freakishly attractive… LinkedIn is a one example of freemium - offer it for free; build a large base of free users; charge for select services. 

Better yet consider, Prince, who gave away his latest album music release in the U.K. in the face of ridicule. He then proceeded to sell out his London concerts. Who is laughing now?

                                             hmmm?

Pay what you can afford is a business model that has seen success in café’s worldwide. A café in Melbourne, Australia expanded to 3 locations. Panera Bread is one of the first U.S. chains to test the model. Panera is opening a new Brooklyn location. I am not sure if they will employ this pricing.  

I do and I enjoy it! My clients enjoy it as well!

The pay what you can afford model for service sets a tone. Clients want to make an investment in themselves. The payment for services to Dream Development is simply a reasonable exchange towards this commitment.  For me, pay what you can afford goes beyond marketing. It is transformational, adventurous and grateful.

I have been thumbing through the Thank You Economy by Gary Vaynerchuk and appreciating the call to care.  Pay what you can afford is the kind of pricing concept that honors the client, the cost and community.

 If my passion is to serve, why should price stand in the way?