Ask HN: So, what is your problem? • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#11

Post by michaelochurch » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:36 AM UTC

This isn't my problem, but some of my friends were talking about it: something like Kickstarter, but for consultants. The genius of Kickstarter is the "transactional" (in the database sense of the word, wherein a set of operations is packaged so that either all happen or none do) nature of the thing: either the money is raised, or not; and if not, it's all returned to pledgers. If the consultant gets enough pledges/work to cover the next N months (N = 8 to 12) then they get the money and can start out as consultants. If they don't, the money goes back and they continue with their day jobs.

One of the problems with consulting is that it's really hard for most people, while employed, to line up enough work that they can become consultants in the first place. Most people will never get the chance, even if they have the talent, because they can't front the initial financial cost. This keeps a lot of people out of self-employment who would otherwise be a better fit for it.

The Kickstarter-esque idea seems strong, but the biggest problem with this idea is that people who have serious ($150+ per hour) work to offer generally don't solicit on the Internet if they can help it. They prefer to source through word-of-mouth, which is pre-technological and broken and leads to that imbecilic situation where you have to be in to get in... but I don't make the rules.

That's why I haven't pursued it. It's one of those startups that requires fixing people, and any startup that goes long on human nature is facing extremely bad odds.

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#12

Post by peteforde » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:37 AM UTC

bobrenjc93 wrote: post #9

I would like more users to register my side project ( http://getmousetrack.com ), but I can't seem to convert anyone who visits the project site. At this point, I think I would pay for some service that gives me honest feedback on my landing page and maybe suggest ways to improve conversion rates.

http://www.feedbackarmy.com/

"Simple, Cheap Usability Testing for Your Website.

Start a usability test for your site in two minutes. Submit questions about your site and receive 10 responses from our reviewers. The cost is $20."

I know folks that have used them, and loved it.

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#13

Post by zainny » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:38 AM UTC

I'd love to have an easier way to get involved in some open source project for improving my skills, enhancing my CV, etc.

My main challenge is being overwhelmed with information and I can't seem to find a good place to get started on any project.

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#14

Post by sgdesign » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:41 AM UTC

bobrenjc93 wrote: post #9

I would like more users to register my side project ( http://getmousetrack.com ), but I can't seem to convert anyone who visits the project site. At this point, I think I would pay for some service that gives me honest feedback on my landing page and maybe suggest ways to improve conversion rates.

There are already a lot of services that do exactly that. I remember one that was pretty addictive where you'd give feedback on other people's sites in exchange for points that you could use to get feedback on your own.

But some quick googling should turn up a lot of similar sites.

And by the way, I don't want to be harsh, but you don't even tell visitors what your service does. How do you expect to convert anyone?

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#15

Post by Breefield » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:41 AM UTC

peteforde wrote: post #8

I have a major frustration with payment providers — even contemporary players like Stripe — that can't offer a 3rd party payments system. That is, anything resembling a "marketplace" where you sell things on behalf of someone else, take a cut and pass on the rest to the content creator requires the integrator to come up with a half-assed payout pipeline. This often results in sending cheques and/or making PayPal paym…

Here you go :)

http://balancedpayments.com

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#16

Post by sgdesign » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:42 AM UTC

peteforde wrote: post #10

sgdesign wrote: post #6

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What does "I don't cook" mean? You don't like to cook? You don't know how to cook? You don't have the physical means of cooking? To me that sounds like the real problem to solve.

The commenter will have to come to that conclusion on his/her own, if ever. You projecting your values on to them in a patronizing tone that doesn't answer his challenge is not a helpful contribution to the conversation.

Wow. I was going to write a reply, but then I realized your own comment is a perfect reply to itself!

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#17

Post by jrkelly » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:43 AM UTC

yummyfajitas wrote: post #7

I pay $X for clothing (I haven't calculated it, but assume it's relatively average for a man who doesn't wear suites). I'll pay $2X if you can make me well dressed. Key point: I need to trust that your decisions are correct. What I want to pay for is not thinking about this and knowing that it's handled.

Bonobos does this already at about that price point. Just buy all your clothes from there and you will be good.

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#18

Post by milesokeefe » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:44 AM UTC

bobrenjc93 wrote: post #9

I would like more users to register my side project ( http://getmousetrack.com ), but I can't seem to convert anyone who visits the project site. At this point, I think I would pay for some service that gives me honest feedback on my landing page and maybe suggest ways to improve conversion rates.

A few suggestions:

1. Increase the padding on nearly all the divs; the text is too close to the borders.

2. Remove the "Confirm Password" field. IMO the risk that the few people who mistype their password will never return is worth making it easier for the rest.

3. The video could be shorter. You don't need the 4 second title before the video starts, and the simulation of the signup process takes too long and is boring to watch. Edit the video so that the text fields are filled in as quickly as the viewer can see them filled in, not as fast as it actually takes.

4. Consider adding a few bullet points outlining the benefits of being able to track users' mouse movements.

5. A unique icon would be nice.

6. Make the "Sign Up" button a unique color so that it stands out.

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#19

Post by peteforde » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:45 AM UTC

michaelochurch wrote: post #11

This isn't my problem, but some of my friends were talking about it: something like Kickstarter, but for consultants. The genius of Kickstarter is the "transactional" (in the database sense of the word, wherein a set of operations is packaged so that either all happen or none do) nature of the thing: either the money is raised, or not; and if not, it's all returned to pledgers. If the consultant gets enough pledges/w…

Not everyone should be freelancers. (You used the term consultants, but my gut tells me that you mean freelancer, which is a different thing.) When I first started out as a freelancer, what I lacked was not ability but connections. Freelancers without a solid network of people who speak well of them will spend a disproportionate amount of time looking for engagements.

That said, someone who wants to make this transition needs to save enough for perhaps 3-4 months of not having a salary. If they can't pull that together, there might be deeper reasons behind them sticking to a salaried position. It's not likely the availability of work, because right now there are so many more opportunities than there are capable applicants in tech, you'd have to be trying hard to not find opportunities.

Factually, the problem with the idea you present (Kickstarter-esque capacity scheduling) is that every freelancer is different, there is no apples to apples comparison possible. Likewise, are you going to take every customer that is willing to pay you? I sure hope not.

I recommend that you block off some time and read The Win Without Pitching Manifesto. It is free online and seriously worth your time if you plan to work as a freelancer.

http://www.winwithoutpitching.com/manifesto?toc

Re: Ask HN: So, what is your problem?

#20

Post by cynicalkane » Mon, Nov 26, 2012, 2:45 AM UTC

yummyfajitas wrote: post #7

I pay $X for clothing (I haven't calculated it, but assume it's relatively average for a man who doesn't wear suites). I'll pay $2X if you can make me well dressed. Key point: I need to trust that your decisions are correct. What I want to pay for is not thinking about this and knowing that it's handled.

Style consultants exist, but good ones seem to cost more than the price of a street clothes wardrobe (and even then there's no guarantee). I think style is too personal for a low-cost stranger to have an information advantage.

As for shops that tend to have good looking clothes, those already exist. Unfortunately full packages must be built manually from modular components, and little progress has been made on systemic solutions to this problem.