Big mistake launching a startup: make users pay for beta

Joe Kraus argues that if you are going to charge it's helpful to do it in beta to get feedback on how well you model is going to work.

#6 in http://www.brendonwilson.com/blog/2006/04/30/joe-kraus-confe...

The powerset demo is at an event - where the money is going on putting on the event. Powerset isn't the only company demoing there. This guy just has the wrong end of the stick.

Any news.yc'ers going to SFbeta on tuesday? - shoot me an email.

Fully agree, users are providing the beta with their valuable time, offer an exchange as QA testers.

Instead of just not charging beta users, imagine paying them a small thank-you fee ... might be a good way to get early adopters really on your side.

Let me know when you do this.

Will do. :-) I'm actually hoping to do something like this when microPledge goes live.

Don't do that. Get them on your side with quick, honest replies when they write you. Giving them money sounds weird and desperate, and it's an exploit waiting to happen.