They are so excited and eager to work but then they quit
It happened a lot to me. I'm a developer and I was trying to find "a marketer" to work with me on a side project, not even a startup, but a side project. No obligations. I just asked to be here, to brainstorm, work on marketing with me. People are so exicted and eager to work and they like idea but after a while (I talk about few weeks, not months) they don't feel like doing it.
Nobody ever forced him/her to join, they had time to decide. Like they don't know how to decide or they see that it's not easy (even though I mention that to them). It's not like I'm never there and always make them do everything, I'm always here and ready to work. Product is here they don't even have to wait, they can try it out.
I mean, I'm a programmer but I don't quit. I could say: ah, I don't feel like programming anymore, but I do it, I create what I want to create.
Why does this happen?
You need to offer them something in return. It’s your project so you’ll always be more excited.
For an outsider joining, initial enthusiasm will wane when they start thinking ‘what am I getting out of this’.
That’s why I always insist on paying collaborators or offering something in return such as help with their project. Or make them a cofounder and have a proper agreement.
You know, it’s incredibly hard to work on side projects like this. There’s an advantage for those of us who are working on our businesses full-time because we are using our best energy of the day toward our business. Other things may have come up for your marketer friend who seemingly abandoned the project. I think the best thing you can do is to try and learn marketing yourself and tackle this problem as a solo founder.
Just keep going. I've gone through the same many, many, many times. Things will work out. Keep pushing!