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How to run a bootstrapped startup as a single founder. I don’t have a problem with the tech etc. and those that see it and experience it, love it. However, tha

How to run a bootstrapped startup as a single founder. I don’t have a problem with the tech etc. and those that see it and experience it, love it. However, that cliche stands true - marketing and sales are hard. ‘Cold emails’ feel extremely spammy to me, as I know when I’m on the receiving end they get deleted almost straight away. I’m working on content marketing (blog posts etc.), but that is a slow burn that doesn’t provide any returns for a while, or at least that is how looks to me from the outside. At the same time, it’s a great experience and I’m loving that fact I get to talk to strangers about tech and security almost daily, it is certainly a great new way to look at things.

zanedb 9y ago
Out of curiosity, what does your startup do/what is it called? I suppose your comment itself could function as advertising.
- graystevens 9y ago
  That was a temptation, but I held off as my Show HN didn't get much traction both times I posted it, so figured it is best not to come across as trying to force it. It is however in my profile, if anyone feels so inclined..
  - pkhamre 9y ago
    That's not how you sell! Give me a link I can click easy :)
    - graystevens 9y ago
      https://breachinsider.com https://breachinsider.com - Feedback welcomed :)
      - jtchang 9y ago
        So took a look. My first reaction is "meh". It doesn't really save me time or make my product more effective. It is like buying insurance. Also there are incentives to plug your ears and say you don't know about any breach. If you don't know then you have plausible deniability and don't have to report it. So all in all I think you're gonna have a uphill climb in breaking into this market. It isn't saving me any time or making me more money.
      - zanedb 9y ago
        I somewhat agree with what jtchang said, and it may be difficult to reach profitability with obstacles such as those. However, it certainly is a unique idea and I'm sure some businesses will find value in it. On to more marketing, I suppose.
owebmaster 9y ago
I feel my cold emails are spammy when the value I'm proposed is not a good deal for the reader. Either a still bad product or a overpriced offer.
- tonyedgecombe 9y ago
  Cold emails are spammy no matter how good the deal is. Fifteen years ago you might have got away with a well targeted message but that well has been poisoned now. If you send me unsolicited mail I'm going to assume you aren't the sort of people I want to work with.
  - owebmaster 9y ago
    Right but if you send me a 100 dollars I would love this "spam".

zanedb 9y ago

Out of curiosity, what does your startup do/what is it called? I suppose your comment itself could function as advertising.

graystevens 9y ago
That was a temptation, but I held off as my Show HN didn't get much traction both times I posted it, so figured it is best not to come across as trying to force it. It is however in my profile, if anyone feels so inclined..
- pkhamre 9y ago
  That's not how you sell! Give me a link I can click easy :)
  - graystevens 9y ago
    https://breachinsider.com https://breachinsider.com - Feedback welcomed :)
    - jtchang 9y ago
      So took a look. My first reaction is "meh". It doesn't really save me time or make my product more effective. It is like buying insurance. Also there are incentives to plug your ears and say you don't know about any breach. If you don't know then you have plausible deniability and don't have to report it. So all in all I think you're gonna have a uphill climb in breaking into this market. It isn't saving me any time or making me more money.
    - zanedb 9y ago
      I somewhat agree with what jtchang said, and it may be difficult to reach profitability with obstacles such as those. However, it certainly is a unique idea and I'm sure some businesses will find value in it. On to more marketing, I suppose.

owebmaster 9y ago

I feel my cold emails are spammy when the value I'm proposed is not a good deal for the reader. Either a still bad product or a overpriced offer.

tonyedgecombe 9y ago
Cold emails are spammy no matter how good the deal is. Fifteen years ago you might have got away with a well targeted message but that well has been poisoned now. If you send me unsolicited mail I'm going to assume you aren't the sort of people I want to work with.
- owebmaster 9y ago
  Right but if you send me a 100 dollars I would love this "spam".