Additional format for Accordance

[Pastor Jonathan]

Greetings all,

 

This is possibly an off the wall suggestion but I think it would be interesting to see how the conversation goes. So, here it is.

 

 

Accordance allows us the use rights to several great resources. The vast amount of resources are absolutely staggering and I know there are many that I still wish to get for my system. But for some, the ability to buy some of these works are just out of reach. 

 

On top of allowing the purchase and download, what would it take for Accordance to set up a subscription base. There can be several tiers that cover several layers of resources (Tier 1 could cover Starter and learner level; Tier 2 could cover Discover and Pro level; Tier 3 could cover Expert and Master level). Each level has its own fee based on the resources contained and also lower per year than buying a whole new resource (Tier 3 could be $100 or so and down from there). 

 

This allows many who may not be able to buy the material to still have access to it. But then if someone really likes the material, they can pay the cost which allows there to be an unlock code that allows for them to download and install on their system directly. 

 

 

I  know this sounds complicated and it probably is. I am not programmer but I am thinking along the lines of Bible Gateway and a few others where they have paid accounts that are available. 

 

This would do several things. Help those who are able to do a payment per year to access something they normally could not buy, keep Accordance in the black and allow the ability to try out several resources to see if saving up for them would be worth it in the first place. 

 

Well, if this idea is crazy, please ignore and we will move on. But any thoughts to this? Thank you all. 

[R. Mansfield]

I can tell you that we have discussed the idea of subscriptions, and it's an ongoing discussion with nothing decided yet.

 

Having said that, let me be perfectly clear that we are NOT considering going to a subscription-only model. I anticipate we will alway offer content for sale that is irrevocably yours. However, at some point, we may add a subscription service as an additional option for those who want it. Students are one audience for a subscription model that comes to mind.

[Tim Hall]

Jonathan, Accordance does offer payment plans. I have made use of this wonderful option from the company on numerous occasions. https://www.accordancebible.com/Payment-Plan

[Pastor Jonathan]

I can tell you that we have discussed the idea of subscriptions, and it's an ongoing discussion with nothing decided yet.

 

Having said that, let me be perfectly clear that we are NOT considering going to a subscription-only model. I anticipate we will alway offer content for sale that is irrevocably yours. However, at some point, we may add a subscription service as an additional option for those who want it. Students are one audience for a subscription model that comes to mind.

 

 

Jonathan, Accordance does offer payment plans. I have made use of this wonderful option from the company on numerous occasions. https://www.accordancebible.com/Payment-Plan

 

Thank you both for the info. I just wanted to restate a couple of things so I can clarify. 

 

Having a subscription option is just an extra thing. I, by no means, want to see the actual purchase disappear. I still want to be able to purchase and download to my offline system. 

 

However, the subscription module would allow me to do something that the payment plan doesn't. While I agree that the payment plan makes it easier to purchase things, the amount of money needed to go on the payment plan is still beyond me. For example.

 

The work, Picture the New Testament (or even more expensive stuff can be added here) is $149. That is three payments $53.66. While that may not be hard to swing for some, That is an impossibility for me at this time due to personal circumstances beyond my control. However, That particular work is found in the lowest level of Graphics pro. Being a pro, this would be, in my idea a Tier level 2. Let us say, for the sake of argument that Tier level is $75 for the year. I can swing $75 for a year to be able to use it as I need it. 

 

Then, if I find that I love it, I am able to purchase it when I can, as I can.

 

Now, if I pay full price for resources from the higher tier levels, I can either lower my tier level (because I have what I need) or stop all together paying the subscription. 

 

Accordance is able to make money off my tier, plus if I purchase to download a source directly. Either way, they are able to continue. 

 

All of this came about because of Bible Works. I was two weeks away from buying their newest version when I got the word that they were closing down. I would hate for that to happen to Accordance. 

 

So, I am not saying replace the download. I sometimes am where I do not have internet and having the files stored locally on my system is a life saver. But allowing us to pay a yearly fee to access the higher level tiers so we can use the material and see what is valuable to us to download (pay of course) and what is not really used, rather than buying it only to find that it is not really valuable in the first place. 

 

Anyway, just my thought. Thank you all for the input and keep up the good work. God bless. 

 

 

ETA: I used the resource above as an example. I was watching the last Dr. J video and this is what he was talking about so that is why it was in my mind. 

Edited June 17, 2020 by Pastor Jonathan