My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
photoshoplayerstyles.com
My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
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Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#2I quit my job in tech support about 4 years ago. Since then, I've made at least 7 attempts at starting a bootstrapped business.
My original idea was to build "a live-video youtube" but Justin.tv and uStream showed up just a few months after I got started, and the dream died. Since then, I've launched four search engines (two of which are keeping me ramen-profitable), a twitter app (wasted time), and a "viral" site based on comparing movies (didn't go viral).
With income from my two main sites dwindling, I decided I would try moving away from web apps, and focus on building a product. Patio11's success with the bingo card niche has been my main inspiration. After a few weeks of iterating through various ideas, I decided to put my skills with the camera to use, and started building a collection of layer styles.
My goal is to corner the high end of the layer styles market. Launching this site is the first step, but it will probably take a few more iterations to get where I want. Based on my research, there's at least 250k in yearly revenue up for grabs, and room for growth.
I finally launched the site yesterday, and now I'm looking for feedback. Please check it out and let me know what you think. Thanks.
PS: If you have a design related blog/forum/etc, and you want a review copy or a free copy to give away to your readers, just send me an email (john.at.blamcast.net)
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#3I quit my job in tech support about 4 years ago. Since then, I've made at least 7 attempts at starting a bootstrapped business. My original idea was to build "a live-video youtube" but Justin.tv and uStream showed up just a few months after I got started, and the dream died. Since then, I've launched four search engines (two of which are keeping me ramen-profitable), a twitter app (wasted time), and a "viral" site ba…
Hey John. I have no design experience what so ever as I'm primarily a coder so I don't have any idea how this is useful for people? Can you elaborate? Also i though people sold this kind of thing on themeforest.
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#4Wow, that's unexpectedly neat. I don't know if there's a market, but I think, probably, it should be there for such a thing.
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#5Your top navigation looks like a slyly placed Google Adsense link type unit
~ I would go back and freshen up the other two money makers cause they will need to last for this one to get the steam I think it needs...
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#6Definitely going to need to get all of the typical gloss/apple styles in there. Look to the open source Aristo (Cappucino's UI) for inspiration -- http://github.com/280north/aristo
Not sure how well your idea will take off, but good luck. Similar sites (you probably already know of these):
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#7Please don't take this the wrong way, but where do you get $250K revenue from?
Also, who is using these layer styles now and are your layer styles protected by IP?
The styles look a little like those I would find on Word's word art function.
These were the thoughts that popped into my head.
Good luck!
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#8Definitely going to need to get all of the typical gloss/apple styles in there. Look to the open source Aristo (Cappucino's UI) for inspiration -- http://github.com/280north/aristo Not sure how well your idea will take off, but good luck. Similar sites (you probably already know of these): http://www.brusheezy.com/ http://www.vecteezy.com/
Yes, a GlassWorks style pack is in the works, should be ready in a couple days.
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#9I quit my job in tech support about 4 years ago. Since then, I've made at least 7 attempts at starting a bootstrapped business. My original idea was to build "a live-video youtube" but Justin.tv and uStream showed up just a few months after I got started, and the dream died. Since then, I've launched four search engines (two of which are keeping me ramen-profitable), a twitter app (wasted time), and a "viral" site ba…
I've made about 5 attempts at starting bootstrapped businesses, in the end i've realised that i'm not giving each business long enough to mature and to turn it into something that can perform real value creation.
I've also learned, that if allow myself to believe, then there's no such thing as competition, even if google enters the same market, in fact, that might even be a bonus, since that validates the market for me.
Not trying to dampen your spirits in any way, just wanted to share from a fellow serial bootstrapper ;-)
Re: My 7th attempt at a startup: Selling layer styles to Photoshop users.
#10Looks cool, my question though is where are the free styles or a demo?
http://www.1stwebdesigner.com/freebies/best-free-photoshop-l...
Even if you don't want to give away your styles you may want to compose a list of free styles others have produced so you have something they can try.
You may want to create some free ones just to post on sites like that.
I have to say thanks though because I had no idea such a thing even existed until I saw your start up and when I googled I found some free layer styles that can really help me.