Tipping the Scales

If you’re an app developer, you’re already aware of how difficult it is to build a sustainable business. Yesterday, we tried something new.

The root of the problem is that frequent updates makes a better product and happy customers, but it also takes time and effort:

The code behind all those updates doesn’t come for free. And increasingly, our customers are realizing that the long-term viability of their favorite apps is at stake. The new tip jar in Twitterrific is the result of people asking how they can support our work.

The idea of patronage isn’t new. The success of this model depends on having a well established customer base who loves what you do. You also need to be careful about how you ask for people’s support: anything that’s annoying will do more harm than good.

If these prerequisites sound like they fit your app, I’d encourage you to give patronage a try. Don’t be afraid to ask for money from the people who value your work the most.