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Ask HN: Selling to educators

by 3dFlatLander on 4/13/11, 11:57 PM with 9 comments

I'm working on a product that I'd like to sell to teachers. But, having never sold to educators before, I can only assume that it'd wildly different than dealing with businesses. From what searching I've done, it seems going after school districts isn't very effective. But, that seems to be the extent of what I can find on HN.

I know there a lot of education focused entrepreneurs around here. Any stories and experiences, no matter the length, will be met with eager ears. I'm especially interested in hearing some 'lessons learned' about pricing, as I've been contemplating a SAS model (but have doubt about teachers doing this).

  • by brycecolquitt on 4/14/11, 1:13 AM

    It really depends on what the product is. If it's a product that the teachers would use in administration, then more than likely they wouldn't pay for it, since they have to use the school's admin software.

    If the product is for them to use in the classroom, they'd be more likely to pay for it, but you'd have to be very price sensitive.

    Honestly, I'd really need to know more about your product to give you better feedback.

  • by revorad on 4/14/11, 8:19 AM

    What's the price point? And what level teachers are you targetting?

    patio11 is good at selling $30 software to school teachers, entirely through Google - http://bingocardcreator.com. Even if your product is wildly different, it's probably a good idea to talk to him.

  • by jmatt on 4/14/11, 1:59 AM

    Check out Imagine K12[1]. It was recently on HN[2].

    [1] http://www.imaginek12.com/index.html

    [2] http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2337362

  • by slysf on 4/14/11, 5:47 AM

    Have you talked to any teachers? Teachers are facing budget cuts and being laid off left and right, so even if you're price sensitive your're going to be trying to reach a small group within the larger teaching community. Have you thought about how you'd achieve that?

  • by ffumarola on 4/14/11, 1:50 AM

    Get a lot of teachers to use it at a free / price sensitive basis. Then offer a district package that really beefs up the offering.

    Make the teachers want those features. They can push the district a bit, and you can sell from the other end.