Lifetime deals can jump-start a SaaS — or saddle you with costs you can’t sustain. In this first episode of the True Operators Podcast, Alex Panagis interviews Aurelio (WP Umbrella) about their early AppSumo launch: what worked, what didn’t, and how they transitioned to simple, pay-as-you-go pricing at $1.99/site.
We dig into:
When LTDs create real traction — and when they create debt
Why variable costs (backups, storage, infra) can break the model
Using LTD users for fast feedback loops without letting them define your roadmap
Pricing after the deal: keeping it fair, transparent, and scalable
Survivorship bias: why most “LTD success stories” you hear are… the ones willing to talk
Who this is for: founders and operators at SaaS & product companies (especially WordPress/agency tools) deciding whether an LTD fits their context.
