AwesomenessReminders in other languages could work, if you can hack the relevant distribution channels (as patio11 pointed out).
Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
11–20 of 27 posts
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#12AwesomenessReminders in other languages could work, if you can hack the relevant distribution channels (as patio11 pointed out).
Who could be as vein? I speak 5 languages, other than English, and couldn't fathom a market for it.
But then, I was actively against the idea when Zack announced it, so what do I know?
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#13Super simple it may seems to most of us -- simple website, etc but the work, effort, energy needed behind the scene is whole lot than you think. This is real human calling every day, not a computer-cron job call.
I believe there is no such thing as super simple, deploy and forget money making product. The amount of time, effort, energy are the key things that make the money counts.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#14AwesomenessReminders in other languages could work, if you can hack the relevant distribution channels (as patio11 pointed out).
Who could be as vein? I speak 5 languages, other than English, and couldn't fathom a market for it. But then, I was actively against the idea when Zack announced it, so what do I know?
Well yeah, I thought it was a pretty weird idea too. I speak a few Indian languages, but I can only imagine desi people hurling abuses back at random people calling them to say "Bhai waah aap ka to jawaab nahi!". Might work with some niche like Indians abroad doing it for their extended families or something.
Or maybe people from other countries might buy it.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#15Who's got the "Mail-a-Letter" app? That one's pretty simple and I think it was doing a few thousand a month.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#16Don't study the product. Study the distribution mechanism . (In AwesomeReminders' case, national press coverage due to having an appealingly quirky narrative.) I've had half a dozen people clone my software product. They are apparently under the impression I'm in the software business. I'm actually in the educational publishing business, and I'm really good at distribution via SEO for it. That is the missile, the sof…
quirky narrative? i don't think that's what's getting people's attention. for me (and i'm going to guess most other people) the reason why i find it interesting is because the concept is so ridiculous! And simple.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#17Don't study the product. Study the distribution mechanism . (In AwesomeReminders' case, national press coverage due to having an appealingly quirky narrative.) I've had half a dozen people clone my software product. They are apparently under the impression I'm in the software business. I'm actually in the educational publishing business, and I'm really good at distribution via SEO for it. That is the missile, the sof…
quirky narrative? i don't think that's what's getting people's attention. for me (and i'm going to guess most other people) the reason why i find it interesting is because the concept is so ridiculous! And simple.
I think you mean the same thing. The idea is odd and makes people smile. Journalists are in the business of selling you a story, and this product happened to be a ridiculous, quirky idea that may actually work. That's a good story.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#18If I knew a way to develop over $7k monthly revenue that quickly, I'd be doing it. I suspect that goes for everyone here. Props to jacquesm - I didn't think AwesomeReminders would take off like this but I think it's, well, awesome that it has!
I think he's referring to pre-existing apps, though I'm sure he'd be happy to have suggestions (I know I would.)
In this same vain, Twitter is, effectively, a super simple idea that seems to have at least taken to legs in adoption, though I have absolutely zero idea what they're doing for revenue.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#19Don't study the product. Study the distribution mechanism . (In AwesomeReminders' case, national press coverage due to having an appealingly quirky narrative.) I've had half a dozen people clone my software product. They are apparently under the impression I'm in the software business. I'm actually in the educational publishing business, and I'm really good at distribution via SEO for it. That is the missile, the sof…
"Don't study the product. Study the distribution mechanism."
I'll do you one better -- study both
It's primarily your example that speaks to the distribution mechanism aspect, but if the product weren't any good, you'd likely end up as a case study for your competitors as they beat you into the ground (just as you posted the screenshot the other day of the horrible bingo app that motivated you).
You can't JUST do one half of it, unless you get very lucky, or have some kind of viral appeal, or are Craig Newmark, or whatever. The key to being best in class AND being perceived as best in class at the same time is to nail every aspect of product, which includes distribution in most cases.
Re: Ask HN: Super simple, revenue generating products?
#20I remember coming across this one
http://www.calendarsquick.com/printables/index.html
no clue how much money it makes, but I was thinking can such a simple service make money?