Im Building A Product.... For You!
Like many of you, I've tried and failed at a few projects over the past few years. I've learned something from each attempt - whether it's how to improve the design of my product, getting initial traction, or overcoming technical challenges.
I recently sold the product I was working on and was looking to start a new one. I thought, " Wouldn't it be nice if there was a clear, repeatable process for getting from idea to execution? What if there was a path to follow instead of stumbling around in the dark?"
Each of us is skilled at something. Many IndieHackers are great developers but aren't comfortable with market research or design. What if you not only follow a guide to help you overcome these stumbling blocks, but keep yourself organized and always know what to do next?
If you've experienced challenges with this, please drop me a line at colin.indiestart@gmail.com. I'd love to chat with you about your experiences and what solutions you've already explored!
I'm actually working on something similar, I'm in the first stages though. Trying to validate and plan on how to implement it, and figuring out what kind of solution I should provide for it.
Yeah, since the vast majority of new businesses fail, I'm pretty sure a lot of people are in that boat (yep, me too!)
I think building an app for indie hackers kind of violates one of the core messages I hear here: Make sure your audience is spending money. I think we're a relative frugal bunch, esp when we see claims that "this will be the thing that makes your business a success!" How do you back that up?
I take it you already have a specific methodology in mind. Do you feel that your advice is going to make the next step(s) easier somehow?
I'll reach out to chat a bit :)
These are some good thoughts! My primary goal right now is to see how people have been solving this problem so far. I'd like to see if there is room for a new way of doing things AND how much value that would have. Thanks for reaching out!
I'm kind of the opposite of what you described... I'm not a developer, but I am a marketer and designer. So I'm not sure what you're building will have any relevance to me.
BUT... I think it sounds like a great idea. You're probably right that many indie hackers are devs first. Good luck!
Wow, I'm always surprised when I see marketers struggling here. I know it's a broad industry, but I would think IHers are would be ready to work closely with a marketer :)
Hey Dustin! Im curious to know more about the challenges you've had coming from the design and marketing side.
What difficulties have you had in your own work? Do you usually have a good idea of your next steps?
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Can you share more details about your experience?
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Thanks very much for the thourgh reply, Joash!
That's true:
You should tell startups that this isn't a set path, but I think there's still room to let them know what steps to take next (and they can do the experimentation of what works for them). It's not easy to find great resources, and even good resources have different points of view. So one advantage is to save them the time to find what the next step is and where to learn more about it (the more points of views available the better so they can test and see how things go, this is a main definition of startup where its always depending on testing all the way through it even if you grow to millions of dollars of sales).
Do you think this is a valid point, ir what's your thoughts?