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Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

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Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#13

Post by npankaj »

soulchild37 wrote: post #10

Originally I did http://canyoumakeanappfor.me/ as satire and surprisingly it brought me few freelance small task from other developers who want to divide some smaller task to others.

Thanks for sharing. How exactly did this bring your freelance tasks? I mean you do not have any of your contact info on that page - so how would leads be generated?

Another follow up regarding this, did you market this page? If yes, on what channels and did you get a good response?

I do like the domain that you choose and the satire.

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#14

Post by npankaj »

farm_code wrote: post #12

Develop a prototype app for your targeted customer. We developed prototype android app with data in JSON included in apk. We showed it to prospective clients and landed project.

Thanks for the comment. I try to make my proposals in detail - include designs of the app that we're going to build. I haven't tried the prototype approach - I might try it next time. Just to be clear, you develop the prototype for the client's app, right? You would need access to the client's APIs, etc. which you might not have in a sales phase. I think using mock data is another way around this,

Follow up question, when you develop this prototype - In cases where the app is not very big, doesn't the client think that almost 50% of the work is done and hence may try getting this done in cheap?

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#15

Post by npankaj »

brudgers wrote: post #9
npankaj wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for replying. > If all your work has come through client references and > personal networks, talking with clients and references is > likely to be a fruitful path to more work. I do that already. I talk to my past clients frequently - I do believe that they would recommend me whenever they get an opportunity - they've done so in the past. But it looks like I'm facing a dry spell right now for about last 2 mont…

My advice is to identify potential clients and cold call even though cold calling is harder than doing something less effective. One way I've heard to make dealing with the rejection it entails easier is to measure the number of rejections rather than the number of leads. In terms of what to build, build something that solves someone else's problem. Essentially, build a product. 'How much does an app cost' websites d…

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to keep doing cold emailing, though sometimes I feel that I'm just emailing a wall who never replies. I've read tons of books and courses on how to write best emails and I do follow them - it's just that clients already have a dev team or they are not looking to outsource at that point of time - which boils down to unresponsiveness.

'How much does an app cost' websites do solve a problem - they give the customer instant quote or estimate for their app. And it does also solve the 'getting clients' problem.

Ideally, I want to do something that's a win - win for both.

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#16

Post by farm_code »

npankaj wrote: post #14
farm_code wrote: post #12

Develop a prototype app for your targeted customer. We developed prototype android app with data in JSON included in apk. We showed it to prospective clients and landed project.

Thanks for the comment. I try to make my proposals in detail - include designs of the app that we're going to build. I haven't tried the prototype approach - I might try it next time. Just to be clear, you develop the prototype for the client's app, right? You would need access to the client's APIs, etc. which you might not have in a sales phase. I think using mock data is another way around this, Follow up question,…

We hardcoded the data in the JSON. Just show the potential. They may not know the exact requirements for the app. Also showing running app in real phone opens lot of opportunities. My email is in profile. Ping me if you want to chat.

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#17

Post by brudgers »

npankaj wrote: post #15
brudgers wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My advice is to identify potential clients and cold call even though cold calling is harder than doing something less effective. One way I've heard to make dealing with the rejection it entails easier is to measure the number of rejections rather than the number of leads. In terms of what to build, build something that solves someone else's problem. Essentially, build a product. 'How much does an app cost' websites d…

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to keep doing cold emailing, though sometimes I feel that I'm just emailing a wall who never replies. I've read tons of books and courses on how to write best emails and I do follow them - it's just that clients already have a dev team or they are not looking to outsource at that point of time - which boils down to unresponsiveness. 'How much does an app cost' websites do solve a proble…

I am not advocating cold emailing. I am advocating cold calling with a phone or in person.

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#18

Post by [deleted] »

npankaj wrote: post #15
brudgers wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My advice is to identify potential clients and cold call even though cold calling is harder than doing something less effective. One way I've heard to make dealing with the rejection it entails easier is to measure the number of rejections rather than the number of leads. In terms of what to build, build something that solves someone else's problem. Essentially, build a product. 'How much does an app cost' websites d…

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to keep doing cold emailing, though sometimes I feel that I'm just emailing a wall who never replies. I've read tons of books and courses on how to write best emails and I do follow them - it's just that clients already have a dev team or they are not looking to outsource at that point of time - which boils down to unresponsiveness. 'How much does an app cost' websites do solve a proble…

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Side projects to generate leads for mobile app projects?

#19

Post by npankaj »

brudgers wrote: post #17
npankaj wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the reply. I'll try to keep doing cold emailing, though sometimes I feel that I'm just emailing a wall who never replies. I've read tons of books and courses on how to write best emails and I do follow them - it's just that clients already have a dev team or they are not looking to outsource at that point of time - which boils down to unresponsiveness. 'How much does an app cost' websites do solve a proble…

I am not advocating cold emailing. I am advocating cold calling with a phone or in person.

Ok, I've never actually done cold calling. I don't like being on the receiving end of cold calls - so I figure others wouldn't like it either. But in person would be much better.
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