The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
“usage-based business model MicroSaaS going get more more common”
What It Means
Usage-based pricing will become increasingly common for MicroSaaS products instead of flat monthly subscriptions
Why It Matters
Founders should consider usage-based models for better customer acquisition and revenue alignment
When It's True
When product value scales with usage, when trying to reduce barriers to entry, or when costs scale with usage
When It's Risky
When usage is unpredictable, when fixed costs are high, or when tracking usage is difficult
How to Apply
Design products with clear per-usage value metrics
Implement accurate usage tracking from day one
Consider hybrid models with base fees plus usage charges
Test pricing models with financial projections
Example Scenario
“PodScriptor offers $29/month for up to 8 episodes then charges per-episode beyond that, attracting light users while monetizing heavy users appropriately”
Related Knowledge
NIUR (Nerve) Targeting Framework
A framework for identifying profitable niches by finding groups with strong identity, urgent needs, high stakes, and rep
Single Job Brutally Well Framework
A product design philosophy that successful apps do exactly one job extremely well rather than multiple jobs adequately,
High Intent Input Framework
A design strategy focusing on inputs that naturally require significant effort or intention from users (photos, addresse
AI Premium Insight Framework
A monetization strategy where AI is the engine that transforms readily available inputs into valuable insights that prev
Radical Interface Simplification Framework
Strip product interface down to absolute minimum - single input field and action button - to maximize adoption
45-Minute Video Production Framework
A templatized workflow that reduces video production from hours to 45 minutes through pre-built assets, muscle memory se