I think this makes sense. Ideas:
- Showcase your reciprocal contributions you make back to django community packages (e.g. Jazzband packages).
- Release a permissively licensed django package (with no catches) under your GH's org and brand name and have it take off. (e.g. django-forge-admin)
- The holy grail would be contributions to django itself. Example: Adding more CSS variables in django admin to font-size and font-family. Add rem, %, calc, flex, etc.
- Early startups funding: $5,000 for MVPs up into 6 figures. Your price point could be a bit higher. Email early founders and see what their reaction is. Use that feedback to tailor a business-friendly license to address the concerns of people with decision making powers. Commenters opinions matter, but they're not necessarily your clientele.
- Strike custom deals to make the sale.
- Add on custom development hours and add a clause to incorporate the work back into your product for reuse.
- Expect to be reaching out to founders often, using cold email introductions, both for advice, but also to show you're flexible. Be willing to hop on a zoom, demo it, etc.
- Find early startups to use your framework for testimonials and social proofing.
- I've personally set these up before many times in django at previous places. It takes weeks of effort to bootstrap, especially if you factor in billing. No it's not 8 hours. It's weeks of effort.
My only doubt is, I think you may ultimately make more money striking big deals to do development work. What's more efficient, a $100-$150k deal with one customer or being on the hook for 100 customers?