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5 Comments

Your app may not be product-market fit but your $cripts are.

https://enigmatic-reaches-38233.herokuapp.com/

Hello hackers,
Is your side project losing money? - Sell its modules to cover the losses.

I want to validate my community which helps indie devs sell failed weekend projects.

What do you think about this idea?

Sunsetting your app? Join the club

submitted this linkon May 31, 2023
  1. 1

    I think you need to find a use-case for someone willing to buy a module.

    I've got a related idea based on your introduction:

    • There is a list of failed project. Explaining what the goal was, and the understanding of the owner where it went wrong.
    • Then there are people ("Fixers") who might be able to fix the problem. Maybe marketing, maybe ux-design, maybe bugs in code, etc.
    • Then a deal will be made: The fixer will borrow the project for a specific period and attempts to fix it. For instance 6 months. Any money made (or lost) in that period is for the fixer. Then the project will be returned to the original owner in a hopefully better condition.

    There is a small amount of money involved, like $50 or something that fixer pays for their attempt, for 2 reasons:

    • It makes sure the fixer is serious (enough)
    • It allows the platform to earn some money, because the platform takes 50% of that $50 :D.

    Why is this interesting:

    • Some people like fixing problems, but don't want to manage a whole bunch of projects.
    • It's quite low risk for both sides. The original owner was about to fully drop the project, and the fixer can try, but is allowed to fail.

    Now I think about it, I might be able to build this myself, the hard part is probably the marketing, kick-starting it so it works. So perhaps you/I'd need to collaborate with indiehackers.com since it has the community. (So if you're reading this IH, let me know what you think)

    1. 1

      Great explanation! I thought about it myself as well.
      A few points are:

      1. If a fixer will fix it I don't think s/he will want to give it back, need to think there on a better way such as contract-based goals to the end of the borrowing period.
      2. you can make 2 states, the first stage will show less data and then they can click and reveal more. They can decide to start with fully open as well.
      3. Marketplace is a tough business since you should get both sides, sellers and buyers, and its the chicken and egg famous paradox.
        If need help with that I can help.
      1. 1

        If a fixer will fix it I don't think s/he will want to give it back.

        That would just be the deal you put in writing. If they don't give it back, that would be stealing. The platform could help with legal stuff regarding that.

        While I agree the marketplace is hard, I don't see how otherwise someone would be willing to buy for a failed module.

        I also agree with the chicken egg problem, so you'd first need a smart way to gather one side of the deal to lure in the other side. I don't see that at the moment..

        1. 1

          Regard the first point, im not sure fixer will get in this deal from the firat place, of I would be a fixer i will want, in success scenario, to at least remain a share holder. This can be solved with giving some options, the seller can choose prefered one in the begining and they can eventually negotiate and agree on something.
          Usually in marketplaces, the way they solve the chicken and egg problem, is by pay or offer very good deal for one of the sides when they mainly count on the other side to be the main busines model. I dont think it fits much for IH cause for that need to raise money and wait many time until it becomes profitable.
          I hope I helped somehow and will take it and perfect it, for anything else you can approach me and we can brainstorm together on this one and other ideas:)

  2. 1

    Cool idea, just don't know if there is a market for it.

    Maybe pivot the project to a market place like Evanto and sell there ?

    But still imagine the hassle to deadl with someone's code, maybe if it is a silver bullet.