Rethinking FeedDemon by Subscription

Apparently a few people have an opinion as to whether FeedDemon should move to a subscription model :)

In all seriousness, your feedback has resulted in an awful lot of re-thinking within NewsGator, and I've personally been involved in several very thoughtful discussions about what to do. The end result? We've listened, and we're changing our plan.

We've heard loud and clear that you don't want FeedDemon to stop working after your subscription runs out. You believe that you purchased it, so it should continue to work. Period.

And we agree.

Because of comments posted here, we're going to change FeedDemon so that it does not stop working after your subscription runs out. You'll still be able to read your feeds and download new items. As many of you suggested, more than likely we'll disable features that rely on the subscription service (basically, synching and other pieces that tie into NewsGator's online services), but everything else will continue to work (forever, if you like).

Does this sound better to you?

Comments

[Paul]

Awesome, Nick. Way to keep making your clients "Raving Fans".

[Brett Kantor]

Way to go- your the Man.
*Nothing* beats software built by someone who listens to his customers!!!

[David Sims]

YES!!!

This sounds better, indeed...thank you and Newsgator for hearing and, in the end, serving your customers.

[Ryan]

That is awesome! I'm currently in the eval period with FeedDemon, having just discovered it, and this news brings me much joy. I'm buying it right now.

[Greyhawk68]

Nick,

Thank You AND NewsGator for listening. I appreciate how you've always shot straight with us, and this strengthens the respect I already have for you and your work.

Thanks again,
Grey

[Jim]

Perfect! I was so PO when I read the first post I didn't respond but this makes up for it!

[Mike Bunch]

I was disappointed with the initial change and voiced my opinion. I am glad to know that feedback matters. This change shows the high quality of support and the willingness to listen to the software client base that Brad (and now NewsGator) has show all along.

I have had nothing but good things to say about the support I have received from Brad regarding FeedDemon and have seen other people say the same thing over and over. This is just another example of great support.

Do you think you could give Microsoft a few tips?

[Peter]

Most companies say "we listen to our customers," but do whatever they want anyway. I am happy and amazed there are companies out there that actually do listen.

This is a perfect example of how better communication and "transparency" can turn a potential angry mob into a group of satisfied customers.

I was beginning to have reservations about this merger but was more than willing to use my 2 years to see how it went. I feel much better about this whole situation now. Thanks Nick and NewsGator for listening and finding a solution everyone can be happy with.

[Stefano F Rausch]

I knew it Nick! You're one of the guys whom you only meet once in your life (if at all ;).

Once again you've shown that open communication is one of the many strengths you've got ... congrats to you and NG for having the feet on the ground.

Now there seems to be no reason for not going along with you for the years to come!

[Morgan]

Personally I would have been fine with the original subscription model providing that the subscription only version did not come into play until a new major version (and therefore more of my money for the new version).

I must say that I am very impressed with change though. It isn't often you see a company make such a radical change just from listening to their users. Normally money speaks louder than a handful of users.

Well done to everyone who was involved with the decision at NewsGator. What a nice start to the weekend :)

[Jack Brewster]

--- The following is a personal comment neither reviewed or endorsed by my employer - NewsGator. ---

...and there was much rejoicing.

[Ted Tschopp]

Yeah! Perfect!

[bonscott]

When I read about the subscription model it didn't bother me at first as I am fully behind the subscription model of game company Stardock. You pay a subscription to their Total Gaming.net system and you get all those games for "free" for the price or your subscription. If you let your subscription lapse you no longer get access to new game but you get to keep the ones you already had plus any further updates.

Then as I was reading this announcement it got me thinking, yea, if I had a subscription and it lapsed then FD would stop working. That, IMHO is bad and seems to have been listened to. Good show.

[Randy Peterman]

I didn't post a reply to the first request for comments but I appreciate this decision. Thanks Newsgator and Nick!

[John Stanforth]

Brilliant. Very nice move, Nick & Newsgator.

I wondered why the question wasn't asked before the subscription announcement (Nick's asked in the past how FD users would feel about RSS ads and other issues, right?), but this worked out just as well. In fact, ironically, lots of Tom-Peters-type research suggests that people have a higher satisfaction after something is FIXED than when it's done right in the first place. So Nick's a good guy *and* a clever marketing strategist? :-) Neat trick.

[Gabe]

"Does this sound better to you?"

Much much better. Thank you for listening to your customers. It means a lot.

[OSUKid7]

Nick,

Awesome job. I'm very willing to go forward with a subscription model for the synching capabilities, and if I don't feel I need them, it's great to know I can still use one of the best pieces of software on the market.

On another note, what you've done for your customers is asonishing. You're really making NewsGator a comany that I can fully trust -- and that list is getting fewer by the day. A couple others like that are Google and Thoughts Media, Inc.

Way to go! :-D

[Ian Williamson]

I thought that was what you were doing ...

I must have mis-read :-) Nevertheless, I think that is the best approach.

[John]

Nick & NewsGator,

Thank you for restoring the faith in the lost concept that customers do matter....even after the sale. Believe your decision will be mutually beneficial for all concerned in the long run.

Looking forward to following and supporting the future endeavors of this newly formed partnership between FeedDemon and NewsGator.

Best regards!

[Andrew Herron]

This is why I love you Nick :D

What amazes me is that this sounds like anyone who has purchased FD and doesn't want the subscription gets free upgrades for 2 years. That's more than anyone could hope for!

[Rob]

Hey Nick

Well done - you've probably just saved FeedDemon from a long and slow demise. Do you know if this decision will apply to NewsGator Outlook version as well?

[Michael]

Absolutely! You saved me as a customer.

[Alex Polson]

I think you've made a good decision. I actually rather like this subscription based model that you're planning. It's definitely worked for a few other companies that I know of. Stardock for instance. You pay a yearly fee and you get any software and updates that they put in a particular category (ObjectDesktop) for free during your subscription. If you let your subscription run out you can still use the software that you have but you just can't get any new versions until you upgrade.

[Nicola Ken Barozzi]

I am a subscriber to Stardock too, and I really enjoy their model: subscription brings you patches, updates, and new versions. Once the subscription stops, you remain with the last program version you had downloaded.

I'm happy you a reresorting to something like this :-)

[Chetan]

Nick, thanks so much!