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Ask YC: How to Find Problems to Solve?

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Ask YC: How to Find Problems to Solve?

#1
Recently, on my blog, I have compiled a short list of resources which help startups find problems to solve. The link to the post is: http://tinyurl.com/4n9uw2

The resources include researching Twitter conversations via Summize and Twistori, creating Google alerts for the term 'survey', researching on Yahoo Answers, etc.

I am wondering what resources/methods do you use to find problems to solve?

Re: Ask YC: How to Find Problems to Solve?

#4
post #3

Get a job. They'll give you plenty of problems to solve. Many of which you can build a business around.

Agreed.

The project I'm working on right now is to build online tools to make contract nurses lives easier. It comes from my working as a contract nurse for 10 years, and knowing what problems that niche market has.

I have a bunch of other ideas/problems in need of solving on the back burner if this one doesn't work out. Most of them are issues that I've come across and said, "I'd love it if I had something that would help me do X, Y or Z..."

Re: Ask YC: How to Find Problems to Solve?

#8
post #3

Get a job. They'll give you plenty of problems to solve. Many of which you can build a business around.

"Please not a job!!!... anything but that" For some people, just the act of thinking about getting a job is simply life threatening. Start a Startup instead, it pays in the long run, if not financially, just think about the experience you will gain.

Re: Ask YC: How to Find Problems to Solve?

#9
Experience, open-mindedness, open eyes, serendipity.

Using Twitter, Google Alerts & co. is just another way of having your eyes open (really wide, in this case), but they are hardly enough.

Do your thing, follow your bliss, and problems will find you - specifically searching for one is like searching for a girlfriend at a party.

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