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.
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:
Margin pot to split:
Distribution (Gold/Silver karma):
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:
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_incomeConsider 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_incomeTrack 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 - How Karma works
Transactions - Earning and withdrawing
Withdrawals - Cash out your earnings
Settings Guide - 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.
Last updated