What’s are your biggest non-technical challenges?
I’m a non-technical person with a lot of experience in project/product management as well as marketing but I can’t build anything. Just curious what you find to be your most non-technical challenges, trying to figure out how I might be able to fit in and be of value to others in some way!
The hardest thing for me is to step out and tell people about my product. I always think that it's too early, that the product is not perfect, and people will not like it and will not use it. As a result, I don't have users (just several occasional ones). I believe in my product but it's a huge challenge to tell about it :(
What specifically do you struggle with? Is it launching? Blogging? Emailing? Knowing what to do?
Blogging is okay. Launching is okay too (if we mean the same). Also, I kind of know what to do. The problem is when I have to step out (or post) somewhere about the product itself I feel a little bit impostor (I know about the "impostor syndrome" :), that is I feel like my product a priori will not have any value for people. It's just probably a fear of failure, or even of success. For the same reason, I can't email anyone.
Interesting. Thanks for being transparent! Imposter syndrome is a huge thing. I think everyone struggles with it. So it's more of a mindset thing than it is a tactical thing?
It's curious why you (and most everyone) feels scared to do marketing because they feel like it won't be well-received or valuable to customers. But isn't the reason you built it because you recognized a pain/problem and people needed a solution?
In that case, the target market may not be a good market if they're not willing to pay.
But if they actually are willing to pay and you haven't reached out to them or found them, then the only way to grow is to do it!
Right, but that's the problem because I have a fear to reach my customers (because of many different reasons). That sounds stupid but it's the truth :((((
That's okay! Totally relevant. And definitely not alone, as you can see in this thread.
What do you think would help you overcome that fear? A coach? Course? Practice? Co-founder? Guide?
I think a co-founder would be the best solution. Because you would see that you are not alone in this endeavor. I don't believe in any guides or courses, it's very psychological. They can give a thousand of techniques how to stop to fear but it will only work if you have somebody in the exactly same situation (and then any guides are useless too). Or, if there is no cofounder, someone who can do this part, works too.
@MoonBeast Going through this exact same feeling. Even more so because our product is in an extremely competitive space.
Thanks for sharing! This totally makes sense to me. Do you ever get to the point where you feel like you are ready to talk about it, or is there always another milestone to hit to keeps you from ever really sharing?
I can relate. There is always something else I want to improve or a reason I can't share. I think "Oh, I really should do x before I share because..."
I've found that for me, it's an excuse to keep me in my comfort zone. The most valuable thing I can usually do is share and get feedback. It's always easy for me to find an excuse before I'm ready to share.
Feedback can be hard to take too. So many people are willing to give it, but getting good, quality feedback that really applies to your product and your audience is rare. I find most of the time, I need to hear the feedback, then translate it into something actionable that truly applies.
Anyway, just saying I relate.
Makes sense! Thanks for sharing!
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This ^
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Well, I didn't overcome it yet. I'm trying to do it step-by-step, gradually coming out of my shell (btw participating in this thread is part of the plan). I have the final to-do list too, and I hope, I will be able to tell more about my product soon :)
Marketing is my biggest challenge (maybe we should talk!)
I love coding and feel good at it. I am not a good designer but seem to be able to get by...
Marketing is a dark-art and something I need to learn but I think really it's just a matter of patience and time (?) Or contacts!
Totally agree with Ben. As a developer I feel comfortable coding, even designing, but as a non native English speaker, I have a lot of difficult with the marketing, spreading the word about my app. Also I would love to have the facility to write great articles on blogs and sites likes this one. To sum up, content marketing is my most non technical challenge.
Thanks for the response. Makes sense! I feel the same way about coding, just could never quite figure out the dark art of it all!
What kind of app do you have and what skills do you feel you are lacking?
I have a few apps, but the main one I'd like to promote is happysnaptheapp.com. It's a kids treasure hunt app that uses AR and computer vision in a clever way...I thought it would 'sell itself' but of course it didn't!
What tactics have you tried so far? I'm not really an expert at B2C stuff, but I'm curious if you've done any ad promotion, community promotion, App Store optimization, etc.
I actually hired a PR firm, AppSpire, but they didn't work out for me. Lots of $$$$, hardly any traction apart from some shady reviews.
I put together a great press page, and tried contacting relevant journalists and kid-friendly sites, a few responses from the kid sites but no journo's bit.
I haven't tried ASO, but my keywords are quite strong and targeted.
I also ran some Ads on YouTube, but it just seems to be money thrown into a big pit!
Ah man. I hate to generalize but PR firms are usually the worst. I'm sorry to hear that. I'd look into ASO and communities. B2C apps are hard because a lot of it is so dependent on word of mouth. You could also experiment with Viral Loops (viral-loops.com) and create some referral buzz with a giveaway.
Basically the same with me. Can't figure out how to reach enough people to make a difference in numbers. Once it gets rolling, I can probably figure out the next few steps. It's getting the first few users that is killer.
Marketing.
I find it so hard to promote and spruik.
What have you tried so far?
Corey, You've posted so many thoughtful questions on this thread. Thanks for chiming in and continuing the conversation!
@patrickgordon
If you struggle with marketing, my site http://www.githustle.com can help!
Find someone willing to help sell/market your product so you can focus on the technical stuff! Check out the comment below this for more details!
from my own personal experience I definitely resonate with this statement, but this is EXACTLY what GitHustle solves. Not only does it make this experience of finding help a breeze, but once you find some help, you won’t have to struggle through sales and marketing trying to learn it all yourself. Get help from an expert in their field rather than attempts at doing it yourself.
I’ve burnt out on so many project trying to do development, sales, marketing, AND my full-time job. It’s the reason I built GITHUSTLE. In fact, I now use it myself and I can tell you that it is MUCH easier than doing 4 jobs by yourself. If you want a successful project, don’t be scared to get some help.
Well, sounds like a charm... So, what's the catch? ;-) Does it cost or you get some percents later?
Not at all! We’re launching a few supplementary services like Match Making and Partnership facilitation (I’ll post details below), but you can use the site and connect with marketers for free!
No catch, not pulling any gimmicks. Just a frustrated developer trying to help solve the problem and hopefully make a bit of money while I’m at it.
I tried it, posted my project but I don't get how it's supposed to work. First of all, I don't see my project in the list. Secondly, I see other projects have staging and other additional information in the description whereas when I posted mine your service didn't ask such questions.
Hey @MoonBeast ,
Not to worry! You're project has been posted, I see Promixa Data Control up there right now! It looks like an awesome project, and something I could definitely use myself. I'm excited to check it out!
You should be receiving an email shortly, for us to get more info about your project to 'beef up' your listing a bit! Hold tight!
Oh, I see now! Thank you very much :) it was a little bit confusing, maybe it's worth to mention about this email in the first one :))
I will send all the information soon.
Definitely, you can try our project, it's still in progress, but many basic things are already implemented, welcome!
Okay, I have to try it. Thanks!
@CoreyHaines, Thanks for your feedback and suggestions. In fact, some of those things are on our radar for the next round of changes that will happen at GitHustle. But your suggestion on a feature to enable you to save projects to your profile, so you can look at them later or "favorite" them is interesting!
In the meanwhile, we have started a private testing of an offering - MatchMaker, where you get a curated update/alerts for new projects that are a good fit for what you're looking for. So, if this sounds interesting, I can send you some details on it.
But, in any case, do continue thinking about us! And, keep giving suggestions for more value that we can bring to both a markter and a developer.
This is a tad different than everyone else here. I am technical (have built saas in past I made living on) and now run an agency.
I've found a ton of people struggle to make content to drive their marketing and hardly anyone knows WTF to do in their content.
All of our clients come from owners/ceos not having an idea what to do and how to do it efficiently.
We help them in one swoop record a months worth of video (should take about 3 hours), and turn that into:
Blogs for website, linkedin, medium
podcast
alexa flash briefing
Facebook video
Twitch video
YouTube video
Instagram/Snapchat video/content (designed well)
Soundcloud
Stitcher (and some more platforms but you get the drift)
If you follow a process this is actually easy. Im happy to elaborate more on how to get all of this done in about <5 hours a month if people care.
Thanks for sharing!
@justaperson , if you are looking to partner with developers working on side projects, and utilize your marketing skills, explore the side projects listed at GitHustle (www.githustle.com). GitHustle is a cool platform giving life to side projects by connecting developers with projects with the right kind of marketers, growth hackers, and traction builders.
Hey @shashank Githustle was mulling around in my brain the last couple days and I have some thoughts about how to improve it based on what I'd want :)
Hope that's helpful!
thank you!! I will check it out
Wow this is rad! Do you have any experience on it?
Hey @coreyhaines , I do! I'm actually the Creator of GitHustle and after a few days of posting my older projects I had two great marketers reach out trying to help!
We've gotten about 3K visitors, 50 projects, and ~40 marketers on the site within the first 3 weeks. Several developers have already found and on-boarded their newfound partners! Working on getting some official success stories published too.
We're still early stages, so the site is completely free to use! Thanks for checking it out!
Well then you must have plenty of experience! lol. This is such a cool idea. I'm so stoked. I gotta get on it!
How does the agreement work? Like does HitHustle facilitate any of the legal stuff?
Thanks! It's always great to here that! To answer your questions:
How does the agreement work?
Does GitHustle handle the legal stuff?
Wow so cool!
Can marketers post projects too?
Are there options to join projects before they’re developed?
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@justaperson There are so many tools to build a side business with now. I'm also not technical, I can write HTML / CSS and that's about all. Don't let that stop you from building something. I don't have an app I can code, but I still am learning a lot with my latest project.
Good to know. I've definitely been exploring ways to build something but you're right, I should definitely focus on that a bit more.
Yes! Do it! Build something small to start. There is no substitute for real world experience on your own project.
Motivation to work on side projects after a long day at work!
Oh totally. I also have a full time job and I'm trying to get into other things on the side, definitely a challenge to stay motivated some times!
I have a full time job too and I love it. But to be honest, as I really like my side project, I always ansious to working on it when I arrive at home. I feel I do not have the enough time to do all the features I have in mind.
So, maybe what is happening to you is that your current side project is not motivating you enough, you need to find one that you really love.
It only my opinion ;)
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thanks for sharing, totally makes sense!
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