Having a list with ideas, how to identify the good ones?

“This book is aimed at developers who want to launch their startup with no outside funding. It’s for companies started by real developers solving real pain points using desktop, web and mobile applications.”

You'll find various glowing reviews about this book so I won't add to them. The chapter about how to find and select an idea, measure traction etc before you start building anything may be of some interest.

Re: Having a list with ideas, how to identify the good ones?

#4

Post by sideproject » Sat, Aug 17, 2013, 5:34 AM UTC

Try.

* I create a trello board and divide my ideas into a few categories (do-able, I really like, this-is-ridiculous, already-existsi-so-who-am-i-kidding etc)

Then... (maybe)...

* Create a landing page for each one of them (ok so maybe not for all of 118!!!) - launchrock

* Post on HN, Reddit

* Collect the email addresses & feedback (ask them questions or survey when they sign up)

* Email them back on each of your idea and ask for further feedback (but don't spam)

Above exercise might take you 2-3 weeks. But I find it a practical way of learning - and I think the often more interesting thing is that you learn to "change" your idea depending on the feedback.

Re: Having a list with ideas, how to identify the good ones?

#5

Post by helen842000 » Tue, Aug 27, 2013, 5:17 PM UTC

I create a spreadsheet with ideas down the side and then categorise the columns with different criteria, things like :-

* What price will it be sold for

* How much will it cost me to start up

* Can I do it all myself / is outsourcing needed

* Is it an easy sell / impulse purchase

* How many people have said they would be interested

* How long will it take to get set up

* Does this sound like fun to work on

I would highlight quite positive answers in green, so I can see at a glance with is quite an attractive idea to work on.

I think it's important to then take your own passion & preference in to account. For me I might prefer to pick something with a higher potential revenue with a bigger list of interested people, where as you may put more weight behind something that is short to work on & fun.