Article

To Charge or Not to Charge: That's the Question for These Startups

Fast Company Free Beginner

A short, balanced look at whether to charge alpha and early customers, with founders on both sides. The useful conclusion is a middle path: charge enough that customers take you seriously and give real feedback, while discounting heavily for the risk they take. Good if you want a nuanced view before committing.

• A price makes early customers invest attention and honest feedback.
• A big early adopter discount respects the risk they are taking on you.
• Staying free can make sense for marketplaces, far less so for tools.