The Automatic Customer: Creating a Subscription Business in Any Industry Hardcover – February 5, 2015

But there are 2 random pages ripped out of my book as I’m reading.

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

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

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.

Great case studies and concrete examples of 11 different MRR business models - monthly recurring revenue.The book gets you thinking in completely different ways about your revenues, your customers, your marketing, and most importantly - the future of your business using the subscription model.It's both exciting and enlightening while also making you uncomfortable in 2 different ways:1. The discomfort of changes required to make the "Automatic Customer" models work in your business, industry, and niche2. The discomfort of NOT implementing a monthly recurring revenue model and all the potential revenue you're leaving on the table if you don't act on Warrillow's wise and balanced adviceBuy this book - read it - and then implement a few of its "uncomfortable" ideas. Your bottom line will thank you for it.-- David Newman,Author of  Do It! Marketing: 77 Instant-Action Ideas to Boost Sales, Maximize Profits, and Crush Your Competition

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.

I've read a LOT of books about starting and growing a business and every now and then one crosses my path that stops me in my tracks and makes me re-assess what I'm doing.In The Automatic Customer, John Warrillow spells out the benefits of, and more importantly, the path towards creating a subscription based business model. I've had 2 x subscription businesses for a few years now so some of this was just affirmation and research for me. However, when it came to measuring the success of the subscription business model, Warrillow crystallizes exactly what you should be measuring and the benchmarks to aim for. This was music to my ears.He has clearly done his research (and references it for further reading - thank you) and distills the complexities of running a subscription based business into clear, actionable steps.This book was recommended to me by one of my students and I am eternally grateful. Our Director's meetings have a new agenda with new metrics and a whole new conversation about our viability threshold.

Arrived quickly in fair not mint condition but as described. The book is a good read if you want to know about automating business processes. More principals that actual methods.

Superb read. For anyone who is in the subscription business, or is even thinking of getting into it, this is a must read. Great examples throughout and a superb model at the end that you can apply to any business.

At first i thought this would be one of those "wanna be books" who have a great title and fail to deliver on content. I was wrong. I read this book cover to cover, and each time my brain was working, i understood new concepts, and even after being an entrepeneur for over a decade, i still learned new things. I would recommend this book for everyone. The book is so well organized and written, super professional, 100% must have, must read! Thank You John for the great work and book ;)

A primer on subscription based models. This book really does open your mind to the oppurtunities that are available and helps clarify the pitfalls and advantages in delveing into this profitable market.

Very average book.Lots of examples of subscription businesses but very little practical advice or systems to use. Took nothing away from it except the evidence of subscriptions are useful. Might be helpful for someone else but being so gym owner it wasnto great.Skipped a lot of pages because there would be pages just full of stories sometimes.