Ask IH: What constitutes an "indie hacker"?
Hey crew - long time mostly lurker, but as I read a lot of the posts and comments, I'm left with a question - What constitutes an Indie Hacker?
From the FAQ, "you're an indie hacker if you've set out to make money independently. That means you're generating revenue directly from your customers, not indirectly through an employer. Other than that, there are no requirements!"
Yet, some folks considered Indie Hackers are funded, others have growing companies with teams and have become "employers", and I'm sure there's a multitude of other variations.
I guess the answer doesn't matter, but the question more stems from probably my own of if I can be considered "indie" anymore. We're fully customer funded, but passing the 50 person mark, so just trying to navigate the imposter syndrome here. :)
What do you think?
Hey Patrick, before I answer +1 for Profitwell.
You’re like a grown up Indie Hacker.
Though the definition may be a little different for everyone - I think Indie Hacking is more a state of mind and an approach to building your company.
The only prerequisite for being an indie hacker is to start your company out bootstrapped. From there it can go anywhere.
If you were faced with two options, lose your company or take a bit of funding to stay afloat until you weathered the storm, I believe most would take the bit of funding.
Many IH have started bootstrapped and gone on to take funding IE Buffer.
Can they still call themselves IHs? That would be up for debate.
I think we shouldn’t get too caught up in definitions and instead focus on the spirit with which IHs operate.
We’re all trying to build companies that solve legit problems. You’ll be hard pressed to see an Indie Hacker building the next Snapchat or YouTube - it doesn’t work well with the bootstrapped model.
You’re not an imposter - just successful.
Appreciate this, and love the perspective. :)
I agree with the mindset categorizing. To me being an "indie hacker" stems from the whole concept of "knowing thyself", where you need to think about if you want to go big, just get enough to have an amazing life, or even struggle, but never have a boss. This seems to stem from the lack of resources.
I can't say for certain, but a lot of folks I know who've raised or who are "not indie" typically get on the treadmill without really knowing where they're going. Unfortunately they end up losing out, because they just go out speeding in any and all vectors, without being focused on the direction.
I guess what I'm trying to think out loud about is I think "Indie hacker" is more about mindset (like you said) and then one click down is "you understand the velocity you want to take intentionally."
Level of intentionality is a really interesting dimension.
Yea, I can appreciate the velocity aspect. Instead of growth at all costs, you’re maybe willing to wait five years or ten years because you want to do it for a loooong time.
You’re building for keeps as opposed to building for an exit.
Or if you do want to grow fast it’s your choice as opposed to the demand of another party.
Hey Patrick,
I agree with @dndukwu that you are a grown up or say more advanced indie hacker. However, the question also reminds of the Indie gamers movie wherein 2 developers build a game and make millions of $$ and yet they are considered "Indie".
In that perspective, i think Indie would be the one to do more with lot less resources, a hacker who gets paid in any margin to get the job done unlike the more mature and advanced teams who have far too many processes in place to get shit done.
Yea, like this mindset, too. Funny on the gaming side is some of those indies end up having control and actually taking down their games after popularity for a variety of reasons (eg. flappy bird).
I suppose there are more corollaries with indie films, indie music, etc.
So maybe part of being an "indie hacker" is also "reserving optionality" - goes a bit with the comment I mentioned about velocity and intention above.
Forums are more about the topic of discussion than the labels placed on people. From the footer:
At the very least, most people on here would find your insights and hindsights very valuable.
When I first came up with the term, it was roughly meant to describe solo self-funded developers who are building products online with the goal of selling them for a profit. Pretty soon I came to believe that the description was overly restrictive. There's no reason it couldn't also describe small teams, non-developers, etc.
Personally, it doesn't much matter to me who is and isn't an "indie hacker." It's not a precise term, it's certainly not a term you'd find in the dictionary, and even terms you do find in the dictionary will change over time. So I agree with you when you say, "I guess the answer doesn't matter" 😇
That said, I think the most important parts of the description are the ones focused on building online products and seeking to turn a profit. I don't see those changing any time soon.
It's also worth pointing out that "indie hackers" have a lot to learn from people who aren't indie hackers. Billionaire tech CEOs, investors, motivational speakers, hardware people, marketers, bloggers, etc. Many people think that the only people who should appear on indie hackers should be indie hackers themselves, but I disagree and think it's more beneficial to learn from everyone we can.
cc @ljupc
I'm doing some academic research on indie software makers and my working definition is:
What do you think? I'm unsure about the no employees criterion.
@csallen
Stephen King is an Indie Hacker.
interested but don't understand?
Just exploring the boundaries of the definition🤣
I think you fit the bill as an Indie Hacker. It would be great if people with your level of experience and professional success feel welcome and able to participate here. Glad you are a part of this community, lurking or posting, and for the work you’re doing to educate people on pricing.
It’s interesting, especially in context of the other thread you and I are discussing.
You definitely aren’t an imposter. You are just at a different stage of your company’s growth and development. You’re winning, and coming across new challenges as the head of PI and PW as you grow. I am sure there will be content that you will find valuable here. It would also be interesting to understand the challenges you face at your stage. Don’t fear asking questions here.
Courtland has built a forum that allows IH of all sizes and shapes to share their experiences. While most who post are usually more soloprenuers or just getting their business off the ground, there are many that have grown their business and are giving back.
Even funded companies can be IH. It starts to blur if you are a puppet to your investor masters and no longer in control of your destiny. But if that’s the case, you have different problems in your share and equity allocations, not your independent nature of your business. 😜
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