[FM Discuss] berlin pricing

[sebastian buettrich]

dear all,


usually just a silent yet interested listener on this list,
i d like to throw in a few comments on the "berlin pricing" discussion.

those comments might be slightly off-topic
cos they are not about books/publishing at all,
but deal with the bigger picture of new economic models.

but hoping that they might help/inspire a bit.



we have recently, at a copenhagen/denmark meditation center, http://fpmt.dk

taken the step of moving everything to strictly donations based operations.
after 6 months of operations, we find it to be a success,
and contributions to the center actually surpassing those of "fixed 
fees" times.
we are considering trying the same for other fields of activity, 
including tech ventures.


priciples we found to be essential (and which may or may not port to FM):


* absolute transparency - publish all finances, including wages of 
"paid" employees.

* make clear that it is not a shame to be paid or paying someone.

* "recommended donation" = tricky.
if not done very sensibly, they become just another word for "price", 
and thus undermine the principle and its sustainability.
prefer to leave donation open, but explain costs in detail.

* communicate the project as an exciting social experiment rather than a 
beggars activity.
so we dont say
"please support" -
we say
"become part of a cutting edge, transforming experiment".

* create solidarity - encourage "subscription models". (would that work 
for FM?) offer a membership which allows you to "buy" donations based?
big advantage: you have *some* predictable, stable money flow,
on top of which the ups and downs of impulse donations.


my 2 eurocents :),

best to all,

sebastian

http://wire.less.dk
http://write.less.dk