What would you work on if you didn't already have a project?

January 5, 2018

When user iamwil learned that I'm trying to figure out what's working on next, he suggested that I ask Indie Hackers for ideas.

I do have a default project in mind: I'm interested in writing a mobile app that teaches the multiplication tables effectively. Basically, most approaches seem to focus either too much on drilling or too much on understanding and I think that you want to do both well.

But I think it's worth taking a little time to sort through and engage with different ideas before one starts something. So, as iamwil suggested, I'm asking: what would you work on if you didn't already have a project?

Douglas H. Bradshaw

Say something nice to dhbradshaw…

Post Comment

3
Hi dhbradshaw,

I'm faced with a similar quandary now and have been in this situation before. IMO the more successful projects you have under your belt, the higher the bar for starting a new project becomes.

I won't give you advice about specific ideas. Instead, here are a few general rules which have become my go-to for assessing new projects. They may not apply 100% to you - depending on whether this is a hobby thing or, as in my case, a project which one aims to turn into a business...
- Don't focus on the solution/product. Instead focus on the problem you want to solve. If you can find a problem you really care about, then you'll be motivated to solve it irrespective of what form the solution takes. You also will waste less time building things users don't want/need.
- Set yourself strict goals for the project. In terms of scope, duration and success/failure standards. I set myself the parameters of building a project by myself and reaching $10k revenue booked within the first 3 months. Your goals may be different, however it really helps to have goals you have to measure yourself against every day.
- Even people who one day will be your most ardent customers will probably take much more convincing and cajoling than you probably expect. The opposite is true for close friends and family members. Don't let that get you down (or in the latter case, give you false hope).
- Building a product is better than talking to friends/people on the internet about building your product. Talking to customers is better than building your product. Selling to customers is better than talking to them. If in doubt, go out and sell. Sales solves all problems!
Good luck!
Louis Nicholls

·
9 years ago
·
Reply
1. 1
  
  Great advice! You should make a post about this.
  
  Michael Phillips
  
  ·
  9 years ago
  ·
  Reply
2

When I'm in an exploration phase, I've found it pays to read widely, and be exposed to lots of different kinds of concepts and ideas. Half the time, asking people what they'd work on if they weren't working on what they're already working on was a way to find good leads to spaces that I wouldn't have considered in the first place. Examples are: Tools for vloggers and streamers, banking for dispensaries, and bail bonds using ML.

Wil Chung

·
9 years ago
·
Reply
2

Research and test your ideas. Ask parents about their child's math struggles. Find out if there really is a problem. Find out if there are already solutions. Competition is a good thing, but make sure the market isn't saturated.

Paul Dessert

·
9 years ago
·
Reply
4

This comment was deleted 7 years ago

·
9 years ago