Emergency Financial Planning - looking for feedback on how best to launch ethically

So, we've been building a financial scenario planning app for the past 18 months. Really close to launch (plan was to launch in about a month). Would allow people to plug in different "what if" scenarios, which seems like it could be very timely right now. Would allow people to budget everything from reduced income, different time ranges, etc.

I don't want to ambulance chase, but it seems like we have the opportunity to release something quickly (important - it would be free) that allows people to try and get a better understanding of how their finances and options net out. Genuinely think there is a world where we can help people navigate the unknowns and also get our product out there in the digital ether.

Any thoughts on how to do this without coming across as a Co-vid chasing huckster? Is a rush product hunt launch the right place for this?

Looking to strip out some of our untested features and get a light version available by the end of the weekend.

Any and all thoughts are welcome.

Jon Cowley

posted to

Ideas and Validation

on March 17, 2020

Say something nice to jcowley…

Post Comment

3

i think you should just be straight with people:

hey, these are some really strange times and many of us are being impacted financially with the growing economic crisis related to the covid19 epidemic. we're here to help.

we believe that emergency financial planning takes time to put together, especially if you want to do it comprehensively. and, we know that it's unlikely that you're working on this right now as you're focused more on making sure you're family and loved ones are safe — us too!

but this is our specialty. this is our mission, to help people become financially safe and secure.

so, let us help you figure it out, especially when you don't have the time. we've built ______fill in the blank with your cool shit! ______ that helps folks do just that.

love, jon crowley

lol.

right? just say it as it is. you'll be authentic and people won't think you're a dick.

8bit

·
4 years ago
·
Reply
1. 4
  
  Sorry, @8bit, I'm not stalking you, we're just apparently online at the same time and commenting on the same things.
  
  I agree with John. Be honest & genuine and tell people you've been working on this for 18 months. That right there communicates to people that you're not benefiting from the pandemic but rather genuinely helping people with their current streses.
  
  Lakebed_io
  
  ·
  4 years ago
  ·
  Reply
  1. 3
    
    I'm not stalking either anyone either! 🤣
    
    I would concur with @8bit and @Lakebed_io - honesty is the best policy. There is lots of anxiety around having a means to survive, hopefully people will appreciate it.
    
    Post here when if/when you do launch on PH, I'll give it an upvote.
    
    rosiesherry
    
    ·
    4 years ago
    ·
    Reply
    1. 1
      
      me too! i second that. go for it and i'll upvoteeeeee!
      
      8bit
      
      ·
      4 years ago
      ·
      Reply
    2. 1
      
      That will be awesome. The whole PH experience will be a new one and any help will be very much appreciated.
      
      jcowley
      
      ·
      4 years ago
      ·
      Reply
  2. 2
    
    lol. i literally spit out my tea when i saw this. dammit.
    
    8bit
    
    ·
    4 years ago
    ·
    Reply
2. 2
  
  Thanks for the straightforward suggestion. I think that is the trick - skip all of the traditional corporate gobbly gook and just say it as it is.
  
  Thanks for the reminder!
  
  jcowley
  
  ·
  4 years ago
  ·
  Reply
  1. 1
    
    no worries yo! glad to help! i've been doing "web copy" for a while...
    
    ... but, i've learned that it's just better to say what you mean. that way you never have to explain it. saves time. lol and i like saving time.
    
    8bit
    
    ·
    4 years ago
    ·
    Reply
2

This comment was deleted 4 years ago.

DeletedUser

·
4 years ago