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Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

willweinraub.com

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Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#31

Post by obvious01 »

nostromo wrote: post #16

There have been a number of similar startups and companies, so it's a stretch to assume that Google stumbled upon your company and decided to copy it. (Not to say they don't do exactly that -- but they target big proven markets, like Dropbox and Groupon and Facebook.) It's easy to forget that at any given moment, lots of smart people are independently identifying a market opportunity. The good news is that the revenu…

The article never argues that the Google is copying his startup (except facetiously in the title). He rants that Google launched a product in the same space and appears to be making the same mistakes that he did on his first iteration.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#32

Post by wtvanhest »

I have to be honest, one thing google is doing right is actually having the product on the first page. I would seriously consider changing your front end. It is crazy busy with self promotion when I'm already there to see whats going on. Hopefully I remember to check it out in the future but in the 10 seconds I looked at your page, I had no idea where to go to get started and browse the listings.

Google does this much, much better.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#33

Post by willaaye »

obvious01 wrote: post #15
willaaye wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not the case. I'm surely not going to spell out exactly what they are doing wrong publicly in the post. We are competitors now after all. :)

Yet you are willing to tell Google what they are doing wrong face to face. You are clearing shooting to be aquihired

I never said I'd tell them what they are doing wrong face to face either. I just said I'd be happy to share insights to the market.

There's a difference.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#34

Post by oftenwrong »

>I’m pretty underwhelmed.

Why?

>This is more like a squeeze bunt back to the pitcher and you’re out at first base.

How so?

>What I’m seeing when I look at Helpouts is some of the exact same mistakes we made over a year ago, while our company was still in private beta.

For example?

>...you built Helpouts all wrong.

Go on...

>Will people buy some of these Helpouts? Yes. No doubt. But it’s not going to scale in the way you hoped. Not like this.

Like what?

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#35

Post by samtp »

Unrelated, but:

> I really love competition, and as a competitor I only want to compete against the best of the best. It’s like Mike Tyson in his prime saying that he wants to box with you.

Wanting to box Mike Tyson in his prime is a death wish. Maybe not the best analogy...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g-478QGV9pc

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#36

Post by tschellenbach »

So over at Fashiolista we felt really scared when google launched boutiques with the crazy 100M acquisition of like.com

They announced partnerships with many celebrities, got PR on every major tech and fashion outlet.

In the end Fashiolista ended up dominating its space and google boutiques...

So stop your attempt at getting bought, get back to work and show these guys :)

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#38

Post by nostromo »

obvious01 wrote: post #31
nostromo wrote: post #16

There have been a number of similar startups and companies, so it's a stretch to assume that Google stumbled upon your company and decided to copy it. (Not to say they don't do exactly that -- but they target big proven markets, like Dropbox and Groupon and Facebook.) It's easy to forget that at any given moment, lots of smart people are independently identifying a market opportunity. The good news is that the revenu…

The article never argues that the Google is copying his startup (except facetiously in the title). He rants that Google launched a product in the same space and appears to be making the same mistakes that he did on his first iteration.

> it was much earlier this year when we noticed your employees signing up for LiveNinja

> I’m really happy a small team based out of Miami was able to inspire you in the way that we did

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#39

Post by TillE »

sfpirate wrote: post #5

Compare Evernote with Google Keep. The latter, which came out later, converted me to use the former. You have nothing to worry about. A big company sucks at copying ideas. An innovative big company gives incentives to defensive maneuvers like this, but never sees them through to an offensive maneuver unless there's billions at immediate risk. If anything, Google is doing you a favor by shining the spotlight on a medi…

Google Keep is great for shopping lists and maybe a quick sticky note or two. Everything else, not so much. I'm shocked at how little it's developed in the seven months since release.

Google are pretty well established in a few big categories, but aside from Android, I can't remember the last time they were really successful in muscling in on some new territory.

Re: Dear Google, Thanks For Copying My Startup But You’re Doing It All Wrong

#40

Post by shadowmatter »

I'm not going to lie, I didn't like this post as much as I wanted to.

The author says that Google is making the same mistakes that LiveNinja made over a year ago. And that LiveNinja has learned a lot and iterated since then. At this point, I'm ready to believe that LiveNinja is the more mature product. That if I have a need, I should probably go to LiveNinja. I'm ready to be sold... But then the author does nothing. He don't actually tell me WHY LiveNinja is better. Instead, he mentions Google Answers, Buzz, and Wave.

Why not drop the ad hominem, and sell to your potential customers instead?

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