The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry

Fabulous book! Both high level and detailed. John gets into the nuts and bolts of the math, but also the big picture and psychology of switching from a "sell and do" model to an "automatic customer" subscription model. Interestingly, about half of the book did not apply to my business but in spite of that fact, the examples gave me about a half a dozen ideas for subscriptions that I could offer in my business. A must read for any small business owner in any industry.

While working for a fee-only RIA firm I was charged with developing a trading system that met the standards that we were held to as fiduciaries, i.e. worked in the best interests of our clients at all times.After three years of stress and anxiety The Safety First System emerged.Auto-Adaptive Asset Allocation defines it but, if you want less hyphens, it is a system that follows the concepts of Dr. Andre Lo's "Market Adaptive Hypothesis". Essentially, find out what the market is doing and you do that. Take the market's existing characteristics, put them into a scoring and ranking mechanism, drop in your choices and allocate assets to the beauty contest winners.The book will be instrumental in allowing me to provide access to The System for 401k participants who are working toward the definition of for high-net-worth individuals.Our clients went 20 years without a quarterly loss.

I would of gave this 5 stars if it completely applied to me. This book lays out alot of good information on finding out Customer Life Time Value and LSV and alot of various jargon that is useful to a startup that has a successful business and just want to add a subscription feature to their business. With every subscription model the author supports it with case studies after case studies. If your a Solo Entreprenuer like me with a shoestring budget looking for how to get started in the subscription business such as sourcing products, creating a software as a service, and building it to a successful subscription business, then this book may not have the fundamentals for that, but it's a great book once your already running a business or a subscription business and you want to be more efficient.

The media could not be loaded.  These days, just about anything you need can be purchased through a subscription. And when you think about it, it actually makes buying easier. Before I read this book I didn't realize how many products and services I already subscribe to.So in the book, John explains that you are now competing in the new subscription economy, and it's up to you to decide if you're playing defense or offense.Warrillow explains that subscribers, or "automatic customers" are the key to increasing cash flow, igniting growth, and boosting the value of your company.The book has three parts: The first part explains why subscribers are better than customers. Then he goes into the nine different subscription business models. Your business will fall into one of them. The last part of the book goes into detail on how to go about building your subscription business including all the math behind it.If growing your business (and possibly selling it one day) is on your mind, you'll want to read this book.

No matter what line of business you're in, this book is a must read! Great stories and examples that slam home its message!

An excellent book for existing businesses looking to modify their business model or for the entrepreneur starting their new venture.While reading the book an idea was spawned and a new subscription business started. Thank you! Amazing insights, practical knowledge and very easy to read. John has a wonderful way with words and and yet none are wasted. Very good book and well worth the time and money.

Synopsis: Subscription Biz models are here to stay in everything from software, to content to household consumables.The author has listed 9 specific models/approaches to take:1. Membership Website Model: Works best in a tightly defined niche with specialized knowledge is needed2. All you can eat library model: Evergreen content is an example. Think netflix - even the most addicted watcher could not go through it all3. Private Club Model: Limited supply being sold to an affluent clientele. High prices, low numbers4. Front of the line model: Different prices for different levels of service/support. works best on complex products/services.Think salesforce.com's model for how your complaints are dealt with5.The Consumables Model: Selling products that naturally run out as a service, where ordering things can be a chore. Food, blades, vitamins etc.6. Surprise Box Model: when you have a network that is willing to buy deeply discounted consumables from manufacturers at deep discount. The idea being some of the consumers will then order a subscription service at regular prices.7. Simplifier Model: Its a complex word, simply the buying process and choice. Works best with an affluent consumer needing a service on an ongoing basis8. Network Model: fixed price, and value of service grows as number of subscribers grow. Think phones9. Peace of Mind Model: this is the insurance sale , where you pay for a peace of mind in the event you may need the service.He closes the book out with the new math of the subscription game with concents such as Customer acquisition cost, Monthly renewal rate, Life time Value of customer, Margins and Churn.The book is a good way to think about what models will work best in your industry / Excellent premier.If you are in a service biz or work with technology - BUY THE BOOK to learn the new language and math of business!What would have made it more powerful was a workbook or a step by step process to figure out which combinations of business models work best in the type of industries. Further commentary on the drawbacks of each model would have made this an invaluable text.Mahipal Luniawww.TheRenaissancePath.comwww,RadicalChangeGroup.comwww,MountainViewAiki.com

John goes in case by case explaining systematically how the subscription economy works and how one can implement its ideas in one’s company.Great work and very helpful, I sure will implement these ideas here. Thanks!

This was a great read! The flow of the information, the calls to action tips, and the incredibly relatable stories and experiences that are shared are a huge help for all entrepreneurs- new and seasoned!!

Great book to understand what are you supposed to know before to build any subscription based business. If you are already there this book is a must!!! Daniel Marcos told me that time ago and he was right.

You can really create a business just by reading this book! Recommended for every entrepreneur and CXO’s to review their model.

Un libro muy interesante. Voy por la mitad y me sorprende lo rápido que se lee y lo fácil que hace entenderlo todo.