Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#1

Post by codingfounder » Thu, Sep 06, 2012, 4:38 PM UTC

I'm planning to start a new blog aimed specifically at indie developers bootstrapping their businesses. I will share the lessons I have learnt from my ventures, with details and specific action points like how to get your first 100 customers, how to market within a niche, how to test pricing, and similar topics.

But, before I start, I turn to you to ask what your most pressing problems are. What do you wish to learn more about and get better at?

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#2

Post by pmtarantino » Thu, Sep 06, 2012, 4:52 PM UTC

I think the hardest is the first impulse. To convert from user 0 to user 10 is not so hard (you can invite friends, etc.), but when all your friends are registered, what? How to reach unknown people out there, I think that's the hardest part. People interested, not so publish on Hacker News or something like that where a lot of people see, but there are not a lot of conversions.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#3

Post by tnorthcutt » Thu, Sep 06, 2012, 5:51 PM UTC

My problem: the idea. I know the steps to get there (talk to people, find their pain points, test whether they would actually pay for something, etc.), but it's still my biggest hurdle.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#4

Post by cschmitt » Thu, Sep 06, 2012, 6:09 PM UTC

I would love to learn/develop a true strategy for validating ideas. To gather insight before I go off and build an MVP.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#5

Post by logn » Thu, Sep 06, 2012, 6:35 PM UTC

This is discussed online ad infinitum but getting funding, navigating legal issues (incorporating, hiring, etc), building critical mass.

Re: Ask HN: Bootstrapped startup founders, I need your ideas and advice

#6

Post by Robby2012 » Fri, Sep 07, 2012, 12:10 AM UTC

pmtarantino wrote: post #2

I think the hardest is the first impulse. To convert from user 0 to user 10 is not so hard (you can invite friends, etc.), but when all your friends are registered, what? How to reach unknown people out there, I think that's the hardest part. People interested, not so publish on Hacker News or something like that where a lot of people see, but there are not a lot of conversions.

I agree totally with you, finding the first users is the critical point on every startup when you finally find out if your idea is worthwhile or not