did something similar in school a couple years ago. Basically was a web server and an arduino connected to the apartments buzzer and door unlock system. When you were at the front door you would be connected to our wifi network and could then go to a url that would open the door. Never thought to sell the service to others in the building - would have been a good idea. although when the maintenance guy came in and saw an arduino hanging down from the intercom/buzzer box he was a little pissed. lol
Show HN: I built a thing
81–90 of 104 posts
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#82Tell landlords they can offer the service to tenants for $10/mo. Split proceeds 50/50. Call every landlord in town. Landlords love upselling tenants (parking spaces, storage space, etc.)
If I was paying rent, and now I had to pay more money to open the door, that would probably deter me from renting from this building. Almost like a protection racket... You might be a tenant, but cough up extra money to get into your apartment... I would strongly discourage a landlord from trying something like this. This is not a typical upsell, if anything the tenant blames the landlord for the problem in the first…
Read the article. The service is for an enhanced way of opening the gate, not for opening it in the first place.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#83I think you need a better domain name. QuestionsThree is a fun name, but it conveys no information. How about something like this: * openmydooor.com * buzzmein.com * apartmentbuzzer.com etc
The name looks like it's from the 'Bridge of Death' scene of Monty Python and the Holy Grail[1] ("Answer me these questions three, then the other side ye see"). I think it's a great name, but most people probably won't get the joke.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#84I would suggest to enter in contact with companies that build and sell these gate locks. These are your clients.
Check HN posts on how to cold call sell something the most efficient way to succeed. Don't expect to get rich from it. But this will be of high value for people reading your cv and might take your virginity off in making business. ;)
Note: rule n° 1 of marketing: identify your market (clients)
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#85Earlier quoted context omitted.
I haven't paid for long distance calling since the 1990s. I think it's just people being lazy and choosing poor defaults.
How many of these buzzers have remained unchanged since the 1990s? Also, long distance appears to be at least $20/month extra on a standard small business landline here (Bell Canada). That's not much, but I can see it happening for something the landlord would think of as a non-feature: Because why wouldn't you have a phone number in the area you live?
I'm not sure a small business line is the best comparison for an apartment building, and I think most landlords are familiar with the existence of cellphones by now. But it's true that many buzzers like that have been in place for a long time - but I do think that that's the landlord's problem, like any other non-working fixture.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#86Is there anything that prevents this from being a phone app and sell it in one of the app stores? You could abstract away all the web and phone (press '9') stuff and just have a button "Open the door? Yes/No" if someone activates the buzzer. Maybe add some easy management for pins that: - always open (roommates/family/friends) - open only one time (deliveries, not-so-close-friends) - open only under certain condition…
+1 for mobile app. It could be done very well as an iPhone app combined with the Rails backend.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#87You've done the easy bit. The hard bit is how to make money. Selling to the apartment owning/building/management industry will be very difficult. The product needs to be a lot more refined. The marketing materials just so. The team selling experienced in the industry. And so on. Some fights are worth having. If you can find a sidekick who relishes the sales battle then sobeit. Else consider open sourcing what you've…
Is it necessary to sell to landlords? Although B2B is often said to be easier, in this case you're solving a problem that only the residents have, so I would have said B2C is the way to go.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#88I would take it area by area, walk around to find the buildings that have gates, then mail everyone in those buildings with a voucher code. A/B test your letters, refine as you go. Consider partnering with local pizza delivery stores, maybe 50c off if you have this service?
Work out how many people you need signed up in order to live off the income, after a few weeks of marketing extrapolate out how many weeks it'll take to get enough people signed up to live off this business. Consider whether it's worth continuing or re-evaluate at that point.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#89You've done the easy bit. The hard bit is how to make money. Selling to the apartment owning/building/management industry will be very difficult. The product needs to be a lot more refined. The marketing materials just so. The team selling experienced in the industry. And so on. Some fights are worth having. If you can find a sidekick who relishes the sales battle then sobeit. Else consider open sourcing what you've…
Is it necessary to sell to landlords? Although B2B is often said to be easier, in this case you're solving a problem that only the residents have, so I would have said B2C is the way to go.
You can also do B2C but have a B2B product. If everyone uses it, landlords/management will see the benefit and be interested.
Re: Show HN: I built a thing
#90> I’ve built a thing. > And unfortunately, I haven’t found a succinct way to market it or even just describe it. My first tip is to stop using such vague and obnoxious phrasing.
That's just the author's style and there's nothing wrong with it, except that you don't like it.