docs: Add B2B reseller plan for hosting providers

Wholesale pricing model ($6/server/mo), bulk provisioning API spec,
host dashboard requirements, pitch framework, and revenue projections.
Model B — fast to market, hosts control markup.

Co-Authored-By: Claude Opus 4.6 <noreply@anthropic.com>
This commit is contained in:
Vantz Stockwell
2026-02-14 23:34:07 -05:00
parent f39e376704
commit 5d911d4165

183
docs/B2B_RESELLER_PLAN.md Normal file
View File

@@ -0,0 +1,183 @@
# Corrosion — B2B Reseller Plan for Hosting Providers
---
## Why Model B Over Model A
Model A (embedded SaaS) requires:
* Org-layer multi-tenancy
* White labeling
* Deep integration
* SSO
* Heavy engineering
Model B requires:
* License API
* Bulk provisioning endpoint
* Simple billing reconciliation
**Much faster to market.**
Hosts love: "Add this feature, charge more."
---
## Financial Structure
### Hosting Company Pricing Example
| Customer Pays | Host Keeps | You Earn |
|---------------|------------|----------|
| $15/mo add-on | $9 | $6 |
| $20/mo add-on | $14 | $6 |
| $10/mo add-on | $4 | $6 |
Let them control markup.
You standardize wholesale at **$6/server/month**.
That gives them incentive.
---
## Minimum Viable B2B — Technical Requirements
You don't need Phase 6 fully built. You need:
### 1. Bulk License Provisioning API
```
POST /api/host/provision
Body:
{
"server_id": "abc123",
"hostname": "rust-nyc-01",
"customer_email": "user@example.com"
}
Returns:
{
"license_key": "...",
"companion_token": "...",
"plugin_download_url": "..."
}
```
That's it.
### 2. Host Dashboard (Lightweight)
For hosts only:
* Active licenses
* Monthly count
* Status (connected / offline)
* Billing report export (CSV)
Keep it minimal.
### 3. Automated Monthly Usage Report
At end of month:
* Count active servers
* Send invoice for X * $6
* Or integrate Stripe metered billing later
Manual invoicing at first is fine.
---
## How You Pitch It to Hosts
Not: "We built a Rust tool."
But: **"We reduce Rust support tickets and increase your revenue per server."**
Hosts care about:
* Ticket volume
* Upsell opportunity
* Differentiation
* Stability
### The Pitch
> **Corrosion for Hosting Providers**
>
> * Reduce wipe-related support tickets
> * Eliminate Steam update confusion
> * Provide advanced Rust automation competitors don't have
> * Add $10$20 per server in recurring revenue
> * Zero infrastructure changes required
> * Outbound-only connection model
---
## Competitive Advantage
Most hosts:
* Offer AMP/Ptero
* Maybe some scripts
* Nothing Rust-native
If one host integrates Corrosion properly, they can market:
**"Fully Automated Rust Hosting — Powered by Corrosion"**
That's a differentiation lever.
---
## Strategic Rule
**Never undercut hosts by selling cheaper directly.**
If they charge $15/mo add-on, your direct pricing shouldn't make customers think: "Why not just buy it myself?"
For B2B stability:
* **Direct license** = one-time purchase (CodeFling model)
* **Host add-on** = convenience + integration + automation
Different value.
---
## Tactical Moves (Pre-Launch)
1. Add a hidden "For Hosting Providers" page
2. Draft a 1-page pitch PDF
3. Prepare wholesale rate structure
4. Identify 3 Rust hosts
5. Reach out privately — not publicly. Quiet, targeted outreach.
---
## Long-Term Revenue Model
If you get:
* 5 hosting partners
* Each averaging 150 Rust servers
That's:
* **750 servers**
* **750 x $6 = $4,500/month recurring**
Without selling a single CodeFling license. Now scale that.
---
## The Real Play
Individual admins create brand awareness.
Hosting providers create revenue stability.
**You do both.**