Since then, I've had fifty-six of my submissions make it to the front page (not only in this account but my older ones, too).
It's become almost a game for me, and I really enjoy writing essays or helping companies shape their message in order to get to the front page (or even the #1 spot).
For instance, I helped Skyfi get to the number one spot and they received 713 points.[1] This resulted in over 20,000 visitors and an (undisclosed) number of new user registrations.
Some submissions that hit the front page, like my one this week, "only" received 2,000 visitors in a day.[2]
I've learned there is an art to hitting the front page; however, there are a lot of people (and companies), who have valuable knowledge, products, or services, yet—because they don't know how to shape their content, they never see the light of day on here.
For this reason, I'm considering the idea of offering my services.
In trying to determine an appropriate price, I was thinking either a $5,000 Retainer + $5 Cost Per Visitor (which essentially maps to CPC).
Or keeping it simple: a flat $15,000 to get you on the front page of Hacker News.
20,000 visitors / $15,000 = $0.75 Cost Per Visitor
2,000 visitors / $15,000 = $7.5 Cost Per Visitor
Even at $7.5 CPV, the caliber of people you get visiting your site, I'd argue, is worth $7.5 CPV (considering many of Google's keywords are well over $10 CPC for keywords many apps/companies compete for).
Instead of "Front Page", I could also tranche it: $25,000 for #1 spot, $20,000 for Top 10, $15,000 for Top 20, $10,000 for Front Page.
Also, this would be results-based. Meaning, if I don't get you to the front page (or Top n Spot), I'd refund every penny.
What do you all think of this?
I'd love help with an appropriate pricing model.
Or if you think this is completely cringe, and you think I shouldn't offer this service, I'd love to hear this perspective, too.
You're also welcome to email me privately here: scott@scottscheper.com
[1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34468644
[2]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37476399
