I am a busy guy, 4 kids, full time job and a wife. I am near completion of a project that I think will do well, fixes a problem I have had as a developer several times... But have no partner, formal business plan or funding... Should I release it anyhow or am I doomed?
Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
1–10 of 25 posts
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#2If your project is near completion, you should release it, you may encounter a partner on the way. A cofounder if not a requirement, confronting your ideas to others IS.
Beyond that, releasing is only half of the job, you'll then have to get some people use it, then pay for it (if not free ).
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#3Thinking you're doomed is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Why don't you release it and see what happens?
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#4Yes release, but I think you should spend some time and learn how to make a PowerPoint pitch deck. Then spend some more time and make one.
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#5Definitely release it. The only way you're guaranteed to fail is by not doing anything at all.
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#6Do you have passion for it?
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#7Here is your answer:
I am near completion of a project that I think will do well, fixes a problem I have had as a developer several times
If you've worked on the project at least give it a shot!
I'm guessing this is that little slump of confidence just before completion; don't let it put you off. I've been there a few times and if you power through you'll start to reach a real high which peaks on "launch day"
There is no requirement to have a co-founder for things to work, "formal" business plans could well hinder you (in my experience anyway). As to funding... can you bootstrap? What are your costs likely to be?
As to the potential success of your project; add some details here and we might be able to comment on that :)
EDIT: wuh, huh? would the downvoter care to comment (so I can improve my response)? :)
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#8Here is your answer: I am near completion of a project that I think will do well, fixes a problem I have had as a developer several times If you've worked on the project at least give it a shot! I'm guessing this is that little slump of confidence just before completion; don't let it put you off. I've been there a few times and if you power through you'll start to reach a real high which peaks on "launch day" There i…
Well, it would cost me about $200.00 a month for dedicated hosting, I've looked into VPS/Shared and even non VPS/Dedicated, but found that for the quality of service I need to provide, as well the space requirements, and memory requirements are a lot higher than a VPS would provide.
On top of that, I want to do a couple advertisement campaigns on Google, as what I am providing surprisingly doesn't have a lot of adwords competitors, however the google tools show that its a highly searched service.
It will require a dedicated server to start, and $30 - $100 per month advertising. Subscriptions will likely be about $14.99/month though, I have been contemplating $9.99 as its more pleasing to my eyes.
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#9Here is your answer: I am near completion of a project that I think will do well, fixes a problem I have had as a developer several times If you've worked on the project at least give it a shot! I'm guessing this is that little slump of confidence just before completion; don't let it put you off. I've been there a few times and if you power through you'll start to reach a real high which peaks on "launch day" There i…
Well, it would cost me about $200.00 a month for dedicated hosting, I've looked into VPS/Shared and even non VPS/Dedicated, but found that for the quality of service I need to provide, as well the space requirements, and memory requirements are a lot higher than a VPS would provide. On top of that, I want to do a couple advertisement campaigns on Google, as what I am providing surprisingly doesn't have a lot of adwor…
So: your costs for the first year will be $2760-3600. That shouldn't be hard to raise.
Here's what you do: put up a web site describing the product, giving a demo, etc. Make a sign-up button (with the $9.99 price), but when people click on that, give them a message that sign-ups are currently unavailable, and take their email address to notify them when they are.
Now, spend a small amount (This will allow you to verify that a) there is a market for your product, b) you're able to reach this market via Adwords, and c) your pitch is compelling enough to convert.
Armed with this information, it should be easy to raise a few thousand bucks. In fact, e-mail me the results, and we can talk.
Re: Ask HN: no co-founder, no business plan, no funding?
#10Checkout venturehacks' interview with Sean Ellis.
The site seems to be down so I can't link it.
It should be one of the popular posts called "how to bring a product to market".