Good approach to discussing this new item. Thanks for bringing it up in this particular way, David.
What I've found after 12 years of doing computer stuff for theatre people is that they extremely resistant to the trope of quality. In the general public there is an understanding that a custom made, high quality product will cost more, and a willingness at a certain level to embrace that quality if its merited. The premium paid for Apple systems over PC hardware/software combos is a primary example. Or the difference in ticket prices between storefront improv and a LORT show.
Artists, particularly technicians, when confronted with such a dilemma will first try to DIY a better version of their own. We are not wealthy. We are used to investing our own time instead of spending money. The outcome? The maker/technician is equally likely to be turned away from the original product out of jealousy when they can't match it, or begrudgingly adopt very late in the game.
So much of the work of an SM can be done with existing tools. And we are traditionalists. I have heard "we always do it this way" more often from stage managers than from any other member of the backstage establishment. It's a personality bias, though. I think we are naturally inclined towards thriftiness and self-sufficiency otherwise we wouldn't be in this industry at all. We even consider it acceptable (except the very top level pros) to bring our own gear with us to customize our environments to our liking. Conversely, no carpenter working in a scene shop would be expected to bring her own tools, although at the highest levels they might do so. Do you know any other industries besides schoolteachers, stage managers and missionaries where you're expected to stock the shop out of your own pocket?
Even so, we crave custom-built apps. Current methods are like using a pair of pliers to remove a screw - it can be done, but it would be much faster if you had a screwdriver. After watching every other section of backstage tech get revved up with lasers and scrollers and digital boards it can feel a little like we're being left behind with our laptops. What we forget is that we pretty much adopted tech before the rest of the departments, back when the only color available was black. Now that there's a spectrum available we're so accustomed to our old-school tech that we don't realize we were probably the pioneers that inspired everyone else.
In contemplating over the years on how to monetize SMNetwork I have pretty much given up on all methods except for fundraising drives. There is no way to properly define us to advertisers that would bring in suitable, SM-targeted banner ads. Unfocused ads, which I've tried before, backfired badly. Affiliate programs didn't work either, as most members are pretty darned destitute and not going to be buying anything through the full price shops that offer that kind of thing. There are no tie-in marketing schemes, giveaways or raffles that would really work given our global audience. 12 years along and we don't even have a logo although I've put out the call for logo designs multiple times. Fortunately our costs are small, and our donors are generous. However, out of over 4000 members, our 2011 fundraising drive succeeded on the backs of just 34 fantastic, generous and very kind and much appreciated donors.
Any business-owner has to consider his potential market before developing a new product. I'm enough of an open source advocate that it overrides any need for income from the stuff that I build for stage managers. I just want to break even on hosting the site. Even so, I've shot down about 30 ideas for new SMNetwork functions because the audience just isn't big enough. Only BTDT and the Internship Review project really survived my own market research as being worth the time required to build them. Stys' pricing is smart and will hopefully earn him at least a few beers for his efforts and dedication to the community.
There's any kind of rationale out there that I could use to encourage you guys to go buy Stys' app. I want to see it succeed. It's one of the first real SM-specific apps we've seen since the dawn of the mobile era. I could say, "if there weren't other $0.99 stopwatch apps out there, would it be worth it?" I could say, "I just spent $6 on a financial calculator app with no problem even though there were free alternatives, because it was clearly the best for my needs." I could even say, "If you guys want stage manager apps like you've been saying for so long, this is your moment to prove it."
But I unfortunately think that unless he somehow offers it as a tie in to equity dues he's going to have a tough time of it. Can anyone help me out with a little optimism to the contrary?
