Microconf 2020: worth going without a product?
Hello all!
I know there are threads here on IH about Microconf (http://www.microconf.com/starter/) but I wanted to get some fresh perspectives.
Myself and some colleagues are working something, but it's still in the idea validation stage (pre-MVP). Is it worth going to Microconf starter without some kind of product, or some successful validation?
Really want to go, but only if the ROI is there for where we're currently at productwise (which is, not very far yet).
Is this in April? Should be able to get product / validation by then?
IME, conferences are great value if they are the right fit for what you are trying to do / you can find similar people there. As long as you put yourself out there, the value of the conference is far beyond what you're able to sell.
My opinion: If it's the right conference for you when you have a product, it's the right conference for you when you don't.
Yep, it's in April.
Your opinion echoes what I'm thinking. I just want to make sure it's quantifiably(ish) valuable to someone without a product. Meaning what are the potential benefits?
I'm thinking, network building, learning about how others validated their product before building, and specifically how they got it done in their spare time with a day job.
Do those sound like things we could pick up at the conference? Anything else valuable to a person sans-product that you could think of?
Network building is super valuable and can go in so many different directions.
Not only can you get support for your ideas + new ideas, but just being in a place with so many like-minded people creates a lot of energy and enthusiasm. Your ideas can ferment and mix with other peoples ideas, you get access to great thinkers, and you can get a feeling for what 'being ready' is like (a lot of the time, I think people are way more ready than they think).
April sounds like a good deadline for you to use to get something concrete that you can talk to people about. Deadlines are a hard thing for indie hackers, and I think "fake" deadlines don't work as well as something concrete to look forward to.
Those are the main advantages I can think of.
I'm a huge fan of conferences in general. A lot of people have exciting things to share, so just being interested is all you really need.
Also: is anyone here going in April?