http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid WordPress theme club support forums en-US Fri, 30 Jul 2010 13:53:33 +0000 bbpress 1.0.2 q http://themehybrid.com/support/search.php http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-41991 Sun, 04 Jul 2010 23:35:59 +0000 PegasusTeam 41991@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>@ Justin</p> <p><em>I'd definitely be willing to do some profit-splitting though, especially for support. I think a good way to go about it would be for you to sell the theme, but part of that package is a Theme Hybrid support membership. Then, there'd be a support forum specifically for that theme here.</em></p> <p>Any ideas on how we could implement this?<br /> I was thinking maybe something like setup e-junkie to collect payments and then use your affiliate link for all sales? That way you wold get your % and I'd get my share for each sale.</p> <p>Trying to come up with a way to automate this somewhat...</p> <p>Any thoughts from others? </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-39735 Mon, 17 May 2010 17:17:21 +0000 John Myrstad 39735@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Build a killer "CMS" theme ( yeah I know some of you hate the terminology ) with great documentation, css templates, psd templates, supported plugins and a closed marketplace for buying and offering services within a community. Some are great with php, some with css, some with javascript and some with design, and when time is money why not help each other by offering our services to each others. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-39728 Mon, 17 May 2010 03:22:28 +0000 SupplementUpdates 39728@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Oops forgot,</p> <p>One company that I would love see offer premium Hybrid Child Themes would be LER09: <a href="http://lero9.co.nz/" rel="nofollow">http://lero9.co.nz/</a></p> <p>From the showcase, they certainly offer the best Hybrid Theme designs that I've personally seen though I don't know if it would fit with their existing business model. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-39727 Mon, 17 May 2010 03:11:06 +0000 SupplementUpdates 39727@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>As a consumer, I would love to see additional child themes available from Theme Hybrid. I would be willing to pay for a theme that had the features/appearance that I wanted. </p> <p>From the standpoint of designers, this creates two issues. </p> <p>1. There has to be a large enough market to justify selling their theme as a Hybrid Child theme as opposed to just making a free-standing theme.<br /> 2. This creates issues with support for the child theme--clearly Justin can't provide all of the support for these themes. </p> <p>I don't necessarily have the answers to these questions, but the obvious solution would be to look at other successful models. Clearly from a business standpoint, Thesis seems to probably have the most successful model in terms of marketing a Wordpress Theme Framework. </p> <p>I personally haven't purchased a Thesis theme before, but they have similar issues to address in terms of selling Child themes and support for these themes. How does DIY address these issues?</p> <p>I would image that the best way for this to work would be for all of the child themes be showcased at Theme Hybrid at a central location. Designers could promote their child themes at their own respective sites which would link to the main location for checkout. </p> <p>Approved designers could have their own forum section for unique support issues. Sale of the Child theme would include a revenue split with Justin and a purchasers of the child theme would get membership in the Hybrid Theme Club included in their purchase. </p> <p>Overall, there seems to be a trend towards affiliate programs for Themes such as Thesis or Headway. These premium child themes could collectively be marketed in a Hybrid Premium Affiliate program.</p> <p>Quality Child themes could certainly be priced around $87 for this package. This would actually be less expensive than Headway or Thesis since that's the price of their basic package with skins costing an additional $50 or so.</p> <p>Before any of the regular users get mad, Theme Hybrid could maintain the current membership fee and regular child themes availability for current use of the theme.</p> <p>Well, that's what I would do if I were in this business... :) </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-39139 Tue, 27 Apr 2010 17:49:37 +0000 edskellington 39139@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Does anyone think building on top of Hybrid is a good business model? I'm really very interested in everything discussed in this thread and would love to talk some more, get the conversation up and moving again. Thanks for all your hard work Justin! </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-38331 Fri, 09 Apr 2010 16:53:47 +0000 edskellington 38331@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>This is my first post here since I just joined the Hybrid community but I'm looking to build a business based on a theme framework. I am going to build themes for niche markets.</p> <p>I have gotten this far because I've been familiar with Justin's work for a long while in the Wordpress community and know he is dedicated to all his products, plugins etc. </p> <p>I checked out all the other frameworks (thematic etc) and am right back here at Hybrid.</p> <p>I wanted to know if there were any more thoughts on selling child themes for Hybrid? I'm sorry if any of this is repetitive, but from my understanding it sounds like as long as it stays GPL everything would be A-OK? Meaning, everything in the Zip file the client would purchase would be open for free use, modification and distribution (code, css, images, etc)?</p> <p>Thanks again, love where this framework is going and evolving. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-35698 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 12:15:56 +0000 paul de wouters 35698@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>you should get someone to design a really nice logo, and then set up a store that would sell Hybrid Tshirts, and mugs and stuff. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-35283 Sat, 13 Feb 2010 12:02:39 +0000 whobody 35283@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Making Money from Theme Hybrid - Three thoughts:</p> <p>1. Whatever your making money plan is, it has to be painfully simple for it to work properly.</p> <p>2. There needs to be little or no backwards accountability.</p> <p>3. The clients need to be able to read in one or two sentences exactly what is happening.</p> <p>Example:</p> <p>For the clients:<br /> Get a free theme at themehybrid.com/themes or have one custom made by Hybrid Designers at themehybrid.com/custom. Support for these themes is available at themehybrid.com/support or through your designer.</p> <p>For the designers:<br /> Become a Hybrid Designer by applying at themehybrid.com/designers. Once approved, you may pay $250 a year to present yourself to clients at themehybrid.com/custom.</p> <p>For Justin:<br /> If a designer decides to make a quality child theme, add it to your free theme directory.</p> <p>This way, Justin gets paid, the designers get paid for custom work (not themes, but time), more free child themes are added, and the clients can get free support through the forum, or paid support from the designers. Everybody wins! </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34879 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:08:58 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34879@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>As we keep coming up with great ideas, I'll start opening individual topics on these.</p> <p>The first is a PSD-to-child theme service that I'm hoping we can launch this upcoming week:<br /> <a href="http://themehybrid.com/community/topic/psd-to-child-theme-service" rel="nofollow">http://themehybrid.com/community/topic/psd-to-child-theme-service</a></p> <p>Once we get that launched, we can start talking the next service. I'm leaning toward Child Theme Design Services. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34878 Mon, 08 Feb 2010 04:06:29 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34878@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>GPL-licensed work is all I require. Just by releasing a child theme (free or paid), you're doing some great (and free) marketing for Theme Hybrid. And, that's the kind of great advertising you can't buy anywhere.</p> <p>I'd definitely be willing to do some profit-splitting though, especially for support. I think a good way to go about it would be for you to sell the theme, but part of that package is a Theme Hybrid support membership. Then, there'd be a support forum specifically for that theme here.</p> <p>Then again, I don't want to make any big moves on anything right now. There's just some things I'm doing both online and offline that could possibly change the landscape around here (for the better). I'm just kind of waiting to see how a few of these things pan out. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34824 Sun, 07 Feb 2010 07:17:32 +0000 Brad Potter 34824@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Thanks Justin. I am curious about your thoughts on people like myself selling GPL child themes for Hybrid or selling a theme that might include your upcoming framework. In order for you to be supportive of those efforts, what criteria is expected besides being GPL.</p> <p>Just thinking out loud here but what if the profit of a theme was split (lets say $50 theme - 25 for dev/ 25 for Hybrid) and that included a 1 year membership to your club where buyers could turn for support. Would that overwhelm you with support issues? Would it be fair? I think there might be a lot of people who want to design and develop child themes but don't have the ability or knowledge to provide in-depth support. Look forward to your feedback and if there are any other threads discussing these things please point me in the right direction. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34751 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 10:52:45 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34751@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>@Brad</p> <p>Glad to have you around. Now, I'm eagerly awaiting to see what designs you might make child themes. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34747 Sat, 06 Feb 2010 09:08:12 +0000 Brad Potter 34747@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Just joined the club and this thread happened to be the first I read. It's great timing because I've recently created a few designs that I hope to make WordPress child themes. I look forward to digging in and learning about Hybrid and I'm especially interested in the framework version.</p> <p>Justin - I am thoroughly impressed with everything you have done with your club. Smacking myself for not joining sooner. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34497 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:17:38 +0000 fb 34497@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Great!! I still wonder how you manage to get so much done.... </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34494 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 19:12:59 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34494@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Still working on the readme file. I was trying to get it finished yesterday.</p> <p>The release is planned for this week though. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34482 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 17:26:34 +0000 fb 34482@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>How is that <a href="http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31824">framework only version</a> coming along?</p> <p>No pressure at all, just wondering? </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34468 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:44:07 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34468@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>PSD to child theme discussion thread:<br /> <a href="http://themehybrid.com/community/topic/psd-to-child-theme-service" rel="nofollow">http://themehybrid.com/community/topic/psd-to-child-theme-service</a> </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34466 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 08:30:52 +0000 Justin Tadlock 34466@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>I'd like to move forward with the PSD to Child Theme idea. We'll need a mockup and ideas list of what needs to go on the page where users submit stuff.</p> <p>I think this is something I could have on the site by next week.</p> <p>If anyone wants to be involved with this in particular, let's get going with the ideas. </p> <p>I'll open a new thread in the Ideas forum that deals specifically with this here in a few minutes. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-34463 Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:09:25 +0000 Patrick Daly 34463@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Justin, any thoughts on moving forward with any of these ideas? </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-32748 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 18:53:40 +0000 scottopolis 32748@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Justin, I am very interested in what you said here:</p> <blockquote><p>What I kind of have in mind is child theme authors could sell their themes. Once a sale is made, that user then gets support here at Theme Hybrid without additional cost. A percentage of that sale goes back to ThemeHybrid. But, the child theme author would still need to support that theme on its specific forum here. And, that child theme author would be able to post tutorials and such here on the site if they wanted.</p></blockquote> <p>I just started a design business offering full-service web design based on custom Hybrid child themes. I am going to offer support for a monthly fee, and I was wondering if there was a way to integrate that with you here.</p> <p>Please let me know how we can work this out. I realize I would need to earn your trust for something like this to work, please let me know how we can proceed with this idea.</p> <p>Feel free to email me if you need to: <a href="mailto:designbyscott@gmail.com">designbyscott@gmail.com</a></p> <p>Thanks </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-32207 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 16:09:53 +0000 Justin Tadlock 32207@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>From the rules on this page (not the repository):<br /> <a href="http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/commercial/" rel="nofollow">http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/commercial/</a></p> <blockquote><p> Distribute 100% GPL themes, including artwork and CSS. </p></blockquote> <p>Granted, I'm not distributing others' themes, but that's besides the point. I'm a fan of going completely GPL. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid/page/2#post-32184 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 03:19:01 +0000 ryanhellyer 32184@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>@Justin - I think you will find that the WordPress.org repository rules state that you can't link to/promote themes which violate the GPL license in the eyes of those who run WordPress.org. So linking to themes which contain non-GPL CSS, images or scripts should be fine. I suspect you could get away with those which include non-GPL PHP libraries too, although I wouldn't risk ticking them off like that.</p> <p>Having said that, I think it makes complete sense to keep all non-GPL stuff out of here anyway. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-32170 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:47:11 +0000 Justin Tadlock 32170@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Just to add a bit to this article:<br /> <a href="http://wordpress.org/development/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/" rel="nofollow">http://wordpress.org/development/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/</a></p> <p>I personally will not support any distributed child themes that aren't 100% GPL. Yes, this includes CSS and artwork.</p> <p>Obviously, there are exceptions to this. For example, if you're developing a theme with an icon pack that has been released under another license, you have to respect the original author's license for those icons.</p> <p>I'm not against dual-licensing or anything like that, and you're certainly welcome to license your work how you want. I just feel like ThemeHybrid needs to be a place that fully promotes the GPL.</p> <p>And, this is actually a requirement for this site to kept on the commercial themes directory at WordPress.org. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-32153 Mon, 28 Dec 2009 00:07:37 +0000 Joel 32153@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Noticed some discussion of "child themes" and the nature of GPL. It seems like there may be some confusion around this, as the SFLC has already issued an opinion stating that CSS and images which work with WordPress themes do not inherit the GPL. This is certainly a critical element when considering a viable business model around WP.</p> <p>Ma.tt cleared this up here: <a href="http://wordpress.org/development/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/" rel="nofollow">http://wordpress.org/development/2009/07/themes-are-gpl-too/</a></p> <blockquote><p>One sentence summary: PHP in WordPress themes must be GPL, artwork and CSS may be but are not required. </p></blockquote> <p>As for more money making ideas, any service which relies upon up-to-date/interactive information can be leveraged using Hybrid to display that data and make it malleable. The fee you charge your client/customer is for the data, obviously not for the display mechanism. Hybrid simply adds value to an already valuable service. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31833 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 13:11:43 +0000 ryanhellyer 31833@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>@Jan - what sort of company do you have in mind? </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31829 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:50:47 +0000 Jan Egbert 31829@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>A hybrid is the combination of two or more different things, aimed at achieving a particular objective or goal. (Wikipedia). Why not start a company? Offering services all over the world. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31827 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:39:12 +0000 Justin Tadlock 31827@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>I've got the settings page covered too (and an easy way to add new settings or unhook it). Everything is based off the parent theme. The only things that reference Hybrid are function names. And, the only reason function names are like that is because they can't be variables (at least I don't think they can). </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31826 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 11:27:49 +0000 ryanhellyer 31826@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>Cool :) I'm really looking forward to seeing it! And yep, my project will definitely be GPL.</p> <p>I was already intending to use my own hook names, although purely so that the non-Hybrid version doesn't confuse users when it references Hybrid throughout it.</p> <p>I'm sure you've got this covered already, but there's a couple of places like the edit posts page and the settings page which have direct references to Hybrid in them. It would also be handy if there's a way to totally unhook the settings page, as many theme creators will have their own custom settings pages. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31824 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:50:09 +0000 Justin Tadlock 31824@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>@ryan</p> <p>I hope to have the framework-only version out soon. The framework itself tries to remove everything about Hybrid as it can. This is especially possible because of two things:</p> <p>1) Hooks that represent the theme.<br /> 2) Textdomain that represents the theme.</p> <p>Where the "Hybrid" theme uses the hook prefix <code>hybrid</code> and the textdomain <code>hybrid</code>, the "Ryan" theme would use <code>ryan</code> and <code>ryan</code>.</p> <p>Examples:</p> <pre><code>__( &#39;Hello world!&#39;, &#39;ryan&#39; ); // Localization add_action( &#39;ryan_header&#39;, &#39;example_function&#39; ); // Custom hooks</code></pre> <p>The reason I've made it this way is so that developers can take the code and have Hybrid running behind the scenes, out of sight.</p> <p>So, yes, I'm okay with it as long as it's GPL. </p> http://themehybrid.com/support/topic/making-money-from-theme-hybrid#post-31823 Sat, 19 Dec 2009 10:42:32 +0000 ryanhellyer 31823@http://themehybrid.com/support/ <p>In my case that wouldn't matter as I'm not intending to make a child theme. At this stage my (very fuzzy partially thought out) plan is to label it somehow with "Hybrid Framework" in the title, but that's purely as a way to give credit back to Justin. I could just as easily remove all references to Hybrid from everything other than the core files. So the users of the software wouldn't even necessarily need to know that it's Hybrid running under the hood. </p>