Do I need a partner?
In the past 7 I've been working on commoninja.com by myself, and managed to get to nice achievements and numbers:
- Up to 80k signed up users
- 500+ active subscriptions
- $2.5k monthly revenue
I feel like this product could go much further, and thinking about finding a partner.
- How can I make sure this is the right step for me and for the product?
- What kind of partner do I need? (I'm a developer)
- How do I start a partnership with someone after I invested 7 years of hard work?
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@dsternlicht - Perhaps.
You'll need someone to compliment your skills/talents, probably more along the business/marketing mindset. Ideally, they'll be as passionate about CommonNinja as you are. You've poured yourself into this and have grown it over the better part of a decade, so I would be extremely cautious about whom you bring into the fold as it has been entirely 'your baby'.
You also should keep in mind that there is a hugely popular 'no code' upswing right now - which can be both beneficial and detrimental to CommonNinja - It's great that you're building out a lot for Wix and WP. Like it, love it or hate it, WP is still the biggest kid on the block in market share.
Obviously, you're a talented developer and, unless you've outsourced it, I'd say you're a top-notch designer as well. The site looks great, is intuitive and very user-friendly. It is really well put together. Great work on that!
You need someone that will be a 'Jobs' to your 'Woz'. Someone that can add a massive amount of value to compliment the 7 years you've poured into this passion project. Someone that isn't afraid to run the numbers and then run with the numbers to help you make them explode in growth. I can probably help you. : )
Well said 🙂
That's basically what I had in mind. To find someone who will help me out in term of business & marketing.
Where do I find someone? if it's not someone I already know, how would I build trust?
Thank you.
Time is what will enable you to build trust with someone as you build a rapport. There really isn't any way to cut a corner around that. The proof is always in the pudding and talk is extremely cheap. You'll need to find someone that isn't afraid to get some skin the game - only when people are invested, in either time/resources/money, do they really take an abiding interest. If they try to tell you otherwise, they are BSing and you don't want to do business with them. So, for a business/marketing partner:
See what their track record looks like. They've had a chance to check out CommonNinja, it's only fair you should be able to check out their work.
Are they bringing a roster of clients/potential clients with them?
While they don't need to be as technical as you, I'd see if they at least understand the difference between Wix and WP and how those two platforms cater to separate markets (i.e., low code vs no code, etc.).
Don't be afraid to ask them how they would potentially growth hack CommonNinja, or what sales funnels they would suggest establishing. If they can't answer this, well...
Make sure they understand the difference between marketing and sales.
These are just a few ideas. Your gut will be able to tell you a lot.
Well said.
Thank you so much for this, much appreciated.
So for my next question: how would you potentially growth hack Common Ninja? 🙂
One way to potentially growth hack Common Ninja is to efficiently affix yourself to the booming low code/no-code bubble that is quickly inflating. This can be accomplished through perceived value and a comprehensive SWOT. You'll want to ride that wave of revenue, but not get taken out when it pops. A decent exit from that would be to scale your target market to all developers, since all of them can benefit from your plugins and many of them will be moving unnecessary code from their stacks and looking for solid and robust alternatives.
That's just my take on it. 🙂
That's definitely something I've been considered. And when people ask me where do I see Common Ninja within a few years, my answer is definitely "A platform for developing web plugins" rather than "A collection of plugins for websites".
Can we continue the discussion in private?
Absolutely! Feel free to email me at:
[email protected]
Why not pay someone to help you? Then if it works out well and it grows you can think about giving them something more.
My exact thought when I first read his post. If you have the money for it, hire someone skilled and develop a great relationship from there.
That's definitely an option.
Hello, I’m Srikanth. I'm an environmental engineer that do not know much about programming. I am currently in India and dedicating all my time to learn about software development. My goal is to develop a good project that helps our environment like monitoring pollution levels using tools like GIS and run a business with it. Maybe you would like to start a new project with me? I can help with GIS and have great ideas that actually helps the world but I am not that much into programming which is your strength… Let me know if you would like to set up a meeting or something!
Hi Daniel, Start with smaller tasks with people who has the potentials and grow up relationships with them from there. Only work with people you feel you can trust over your product. I personally can help with SEO, UX and every area you need help with. I am very new to the community though, it is actually my first post. Cheers.
What is your vision on growing the product ?? I think thats the main question . How fast do you want to grow it ? 7 years is quite some effort and dedication . Hats off !!
Are you ready to share it ?
You’re right, 7 years is quite a long time, but until last year it was just a side project that was a nice playground to explore new technologies outside of my working hours.
Now, it’s a product that generates some real value to real users. Each one of the plugins help site owners to add components that would have cost a lot of money to develop and design.
My plan is to build more plugins, and find a way to reach more users.
I spend a few minutes got 3 pages deep, still wanna know
Plugins for what? WordPress?other?..
There are "how would you grow this?" Threads posted like once a month, could post there..
I guess the question is what are you looking for?.. if your tires and can't think of this going anywhere possibly consider selling and starting something new.
If your looking for specific expertise or advice you can gain it in other ways.
It's a bit weird getting a partner after 7 years.
You can think of it as partial sell with them putting in money as well as work if relevant.
But from income perspective 2.5k isn't that much that a new person would feel that 7 years worth, it might be still considered a very young business that just proved some traction..
That's a good feedback. I know that I need to change the homepage. This is something that hasn't been updated in the past few years.
Regarding getting a partner, it's more than the income. In the past year I invested a lot of time thinking about scale, and how to prepare the platform to scale up in terms of number of users, plugins, income, etc.
I know that the current income isn't that much, but I'm ready for the next stage, and just thinking about what would be best for the business.
Can you change focus from developing to marketing/monotising?
If not, can you pay someone for the parts you need?
If no to both than you need a partner
I can, but I don't want. I prefer paying someone.
But I believe that getting a new perspective from a partner could be a good thing regardless if I can pay him or not, don't you think?
If you already made up you mind and put a post such as fight me for it, no one is to gain anything from it.
I'm just saying there is more than one way to get stuff, a new perspective, can be had cheaper than 30%-50% of your 7 years baby that you are likely to give away for a true partner.
But you seem to already have made a decision I believe.
I haven't made any decision yet, just making sure I'm covered all options, and I really appreciate your replies 🙂
I can help with ux design
Thanks, do you have some examples of your works?
Dribbble.com/Pixerizer