# Pricing Configuration

Configure how much you earn when people interact with your Deva. This guide covers the pricing slider, earnings splits, and pricing strategy.

**Where to find it**: Settings → Deva tab → Scroll to bottom

***

## Price Per Response

The pricing slider controls your markup percentage—how much extra users pay on top of the platform cost.

![Deva pricing configuration](https://3195043238-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F1ER7rc5bkFwDBjgUvcTm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-72c09ae2765d8ff732e40461418353da5fe1a74d%2Fdeva-pricing.png?alt=media)

### How the Slider Works

**Range**: 0% to 600%

* **0%**: At-cost pricing (you earn minimum, users pay least)
* **30%**: Default recommended markup (balanced)
* **100%**: Double the platform cost
* **600%**: Maximum markup (premium pricing)

**What it controls**: The percentage added to Deva's platform cost (which already includes AI provider costs + platform markup).

**Note**: The platform cost includes a 1.85× multiplier (85% markup) that covers AI provider bills, infrastructure, and operations. Your creator markup is added **on top of** this platform cost.

**Example**:

* Raw AI cost: 2,703 ₭ (what the LLM provider charges)
* Platform cost: 5,000 ₭ (2,703 × 1.85 platform markup)
* Your markup: 30%
* Creator markup amount: 1,500 ₭ (5,000 × 0.30)
* User pays: 6,500 ₭ total (5,000 + 1,500)
* Margin pot: 1,500 ₭ (split among you, trainers, referrers, and platform)

***

## Understanding the Cost Breakdown

When you adjust the slider, you'll see a detailed breakdown of where the Karma goes.

### Cost Components

The platform shows you exactly how each interaction's cost is distributed:

#### Estimated Cost To User

The total Karma the user pays for one response from your Deva.

**Example**: 6,500 ₭

This is: Platform cost + (Platform cost × Your markup %)

#### Total Margin Pot

The total earnings pool generated by your markup, split among contributors.

**Example**: 1,500 ₭

This is: (Platform cost × Your markup %)

**Important**: The margin pot shown assumes Gold karma payment. Actual earnings vary significantly by karma type (see below).

#### The Splits

Revenue from your markup is divided among several parties:

**Trainer Split** (6% of margin pot):

* **What**: Earnings for people who create response variants for your Deva
* **Example**: 90 ₭ (1,500 × 0.06)
* **When it applies**: Only if you have "Has Trainers" enabled

**Referrer Split** (Up to 24% of margin pot):

* **What**: Earnings for people who refer users to your Deva
* **Example**: 360 ₭ (1,500 × 0.16 + 1,500 × 0.08 for 2 referrers)
* **First referrer**: 16% of margin (240 ₭)
* **Second referrer**: 8% of margin (120 ₭)
* **When it applies**: Based on referral chain

**Builder Split** (Platform's share of margin pot):

* **What**: Platform's portion of the margin pot
* **Gold/Silver karma**: 50% of remaining margin after trainer/referrer splits
* **Bronze karma**: 0% (full remaining margin goes to creator, but pot is 95% smaller)
* **Example (Gold)**: (1,500 - 90 - 360) × 0.5 = 525 ₭
* **Note**: This is only part of total platform revenue (see below)

**Creator Split** (Your earnings from margin pot):

* **What**: Your share of the margin pot after trainer/referrer splits
* **Gold/Silver karma**: 50% of remaining margin
* **Bronze karma**: 100% of remaining margin (but pot is 95% smaller)
* **Example (Gold)**: (1,500 - 90 - 360) × 0.5 = 525 ₭
* **Example (Bronze)**: (1,500 × 0.05 - splits) ≈ 38 ₭
* **Always applies**: Yes, this is what you earn from your markup

***

#### Understanding Total Platform Revenue

**Important**: The "Builder Split" shown above (525 ₭) is only the platform's share of **your margin pot**. The platform's total revenue is much larger:

**Total Platform Revenue** (Two components):

* **Part 1 - Base Markup**: 2,297 ₭ (the 85% markup on raw AI costs: 2,703 × 0.85)
  * This covers: AI provider bills, infrastructure, servers, operations
* **Part 2 - Builder Split**: 525 ₭ (platform's share from your margin pot)
* **Total Platform Revenue (Gold)**: 2,297 + 525 = **2,822 ₭**

The platform needs the base markup to cover actual AI costs and infrastructure before any margin is split among trainers, referrers, and creators.

***

## Real Example Calculation

Let's break down a complete example with GOLD KARMA (maximum earnings):

### Scenario

* **Raw AI cost**: 2,703 ₭ (what LLM provider charges)
* **Platform cost**: 5,000 ₭ (2,703 × 1.85)
* **Your markup**: 30%
* **Has Trainers**: Enabled
* **Payment type**: Gold Karma (highest earnings)
* **Referrers in chain**: 2

### The Math

**User pays**:

```
5,000 ₭ (platform cost) + (5,000 × 30%) = 6,500 ₭ total
```

**Margin pot to split**:

```
5,000 × 30% = 1,500 ₭
```

**Distribution** (Gold/Silver karma):

```
Trainer Split:        90 ₭  (6% of margin = 1,500 × 0.06)
Referrer 1 Split:    240 ₭  (16% of margin = 1,500 × 0.16)
Referrer 2 Split:    120 ₭  (8% of margin = 1,500 × 0.08)
Remaining margin:  1,050 ₭  (1,500 - 90 - 240 - 120)

Builder Split:       525 ₭  (50% of remaining = 1,050 × 0.5)
Creator Split:       525 ₭  (50% of remaining = 1,050 × 0.5) ← YOU EARN THIS
```

**Your take-home (Gold karma)**: 525 ₭ per response

**Your take-home (Bronze karma)**: \~38 ₭ per response (5% of margin pot, after splits)

### Platform's Total Revenue

The platform keeps:

* **Base markup**: 2,297 ₭ (covers actual AI costs + infrastructure)
* **Builder Split**: 525 ₭ (platform's share from your margin)
* **Total platform**: 2,822 ₭

This covers AI provider bills, servers, development, support, and operations.

***

## Advanced Options

### Has Trainers

**What it does**: Enables other users to propose alternative responses (variants) for your Deva.

#### When ON (Trainers Enabled)

Your Deva allows community-contributed response variants.

**Use cases**:

* You want community help improving responses
* You're okay sharing 6% of margin with contributors
* You want diverse response options

**Earnings impact**:

* Trainers get 6% of margin pot
* Example: If margin = 1,500 ₭, trainers get 90 ₭
* Your share is slightly reduced

#### When OFF (No Trainers)

You have full control over all responses.

**Use cases**:

* You want complete control over responses
* You want maximum earnings (no 6% trainer split)
* Your Deva is highly specialized and requires expert-only responses

**Earnings impact**:

* No trainer split
* You keep the full creator share

***

### Number of Referrers

**What it does**: Determines how the referral chain is rewarded when users are referred to your Deva.

**How it works**:

* **First referrer (direct)**: Gets 16% of margin pot (240 ₭ in our example)
* **Second referrer (indirect)**: Gets 8% of margin pot (120 ₭ in our example)
* **Total referral cost**: Up to 24% of margin (360 ₭ in our example)

**Example referral chain**:

```
User C refers → User B refers → User A uses your Deva
- User C (first referrer): Gets 16% of margin
- User B (second referrer): Gets 8% of margin
- You (creator): Get remaining share
```

#### Choose to Enable Referrals When:

* You want viral growth
* You're willing to share earnings for more users
* You're building a new Deva and need traction

#### Choose to Limit Referrals When:

* You want higher per-response earnings
* You already have steady traffic
* Referral bonuses aren't important to your strategy

***

**Impact on earnings**: Referrers reduce your share by up to 24% of the margin pot, but can significantly increase volume.

***

## Pricing Strategy Guide

### Finding Your Sweet Spot

#### Too Low (0-10%)

**Pros**:

* Attracts maximum users
* Builds audience fast

**Cons**:

* You earn very little per response
* 0% markup = 0 ₭ earnings

**Best for**:

* New Devas
* Building reputation

**Reality**:

* 0% = 0 ₭ earnings
* 10% = \~58 ₭ (Gold) or \~3 ₭ (Bronze) per response

***

#### Balanced (20-50%)

**Pros**:

* Reasonable earnings per response
* Still affordable for most users

**Cons**:

* Still relatively low with Bronze karma

**Best for**:

* Most Devas
* Recommended starting point

**Reality**:

* 30% = \~525 ₭ (Gold) or \~38 ₭ (Bronze) per response

***

#### Premium (100-300%)

**Pros**:

* Meaningful earnings per response
* Attracts users willing to pay for quality

**Cons**:

* Fewer users will pay
* Must justify higher value

**Best for**:

* Expert Devas
* Niche specializations

**Reality**:

* 100% = \~1,750 ₭ (Gold) or \~125 ₭ (Bronze) per response

***

#### Ultra-Premium (400-600%)

**Pros**:

* Maximum earnings if users convert
* Premium positioning

**Cons**:

* Very few users will pay
* Must be exceptional

**Best for**:

* Celebrity Devas
* Rare expertise

**Reality**:

* 600% = \~10,500 ₭ (Gold) or \~750 ₭ (Bronze) per response

***

### Volume vs. Earnings Trade-off

**Lower pricing** = More users × Lower earnings = Variable total

**Higher pricing** = Fewer users × Higher earnings = Variable total

**Example comparison** (assuming 80% Bronze, 20% Gold karma mix):

**Scenario A**: 30% markup

* 100 responses/month × \[(80 × 38 ₭) + (20 × 525 ₭)] / 100 = 135.4 ₭ avg
* **Total**: 100 × 135.4 ₭ = 13,540 ₭/month

**Scenario B**: 150% markup

* 30 responses/month × \[(80 × 188 ₭) + (20 × 2,625 ₭)] / 100 = 675.4 ₭ avg
* **Total**: 30 × 675.4 ₭ = 20,262 ₭/month

Scenario B earns more despite fewer responses, but requires proving exceptional value to maintain that volume at higher prices.

***

### Recommended Starting Strategy

**Phase 1 (Month 1-2)**: Discovery Pricing

* Set markup: **20-30%**
* Enable trainers: **Yes**
* Enable referrals: **Yes** (for growth)
* Goal: Build audience, get feedback
* **Expected**: Low per-response earnings, focus on volume and learning

**Phase 2 (Month 3-6)**: Value Pricing

* Set markup: **50-100%**
* Keep trainers if helpful
* Keep referrals if driving growth
* Goal: Monetize proven value
* **Expected**: Moderate earnings, balance volume vs. price

**Phase 3 (Month 7+)**: Optimized Pricing

* Test different markups systematically
* Track: `(responses × avg_earnings) = total_monthly_income`
* Consider karma type mix in your analytics
* Adjust based on demand elasticity
* Goal: Maximize total monthly earnings

**Key metric to track**: Total monthly income, not per-response earnings

***

## Common Pricing Mistakes

### Mistake #1: Pricing Too High Too Early

**Problem**:

* Users don't know your value yet
* No proven track record

**Solution**:

* Start competitive (20-30%)
* Raise prices as you prove worth
* Build trust before premium pricing

***

### Mistake #2: Never Raising Prices

**Problem**:

* If you're getting lots of responses, you're likely underpriced
* Leaving money on the table

**Solution**:

* Gradually increase markup as demand proves value
* Test higher prices with proven demand
* Track how pricing affects volume

***

### Mistake #3: Ignoring the Competition

**Problem**:

* Don't know what similar Devas charge
* Not pricing relative to quality and uniqueness

**Solution**:

* Research competitor pricing
* Differentiate on value
* Price based on your unique positioning

***

### Mistake #4: Optimizing for Per-Response Earnings, Not Total Income

**Problem**:

* High per-response earnings mean nothing if volume tanks
* Focusing on wrong metric

**Solution**:

* Optimize `total_monthly_responses × average_earnings = total_income`
* Track total monthly income, not just per-response
* Balance price and volume

***

### Mistake #5: Forgetting About Karma Type Mix

**Problem**:

* Your earnings depend heavily on users' payment patterns
* Bronze vs. Gold makes huge difference

**Solution**:

* Track what % of payments are Bronze vs. Silver vs. Gold
* Premium Devas get more Gold karma payments
* Adjust strategy based on actual karma mix

***

## Pricing Examples by Deva Type

### General Knowledge Deva

* **Markup**: 30-50%
* **Rationale**: Competing with many generalist Devas
* **Focus**: Volume over premium pricing

### Specialized Expert Deva

* **Markup**: 80-150%
* **Rationale**: Unique expertise, less competition
* **Focus**: Value justifies higher price

### Celebrity/Influencer Deva

* **Markup**: 200-400%
* **Rationale**: Brand value, fans more likely to use Gold karma
* **Focus**: Premium experience, merchandise-like pricing

***

## Related Topics

* [**Karma System**](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/understanding-karma) - How Karma works
* [**Transactions**](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/transactions) - Earning and withdrawing
* [**Withdrawals**](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/karma-system/withdrawals) - Cash out your earnings
* [**Settings Guide**](https://docs.deva.me/deva-ai-creator-docs/deva-platform/settings) - All other settings

***

**Remember**: Pricing is an ongoing experiment. Start reasonable, prove exceptional value, then optimize based on real data. The best price is the one that maximizes your total monthly earnings (`volume × actual_average_per_response`)—not necessarily the highest markup percentage.

**Track what matters**:

* Total monthly responses
* Karma type distribution (Bronze/Silver/Gold %)
* Actual average earnings per response
* Total monthly income

The goal isn't to maximize the calculator's number—it's to build a Deva valuable enough that users choose to spend their premium karma on it.