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The easy answer: find another co-founder-- one who is as passionate about your idea as you are. Of course, this may not really be all that easy. Which leads t

The easy answer: find another co-founder-- one who is as passionate about your idea as you are. Of course, this may not really be all that easy. Which leads to the difficult question: what's there to love about your idea? I'm sure there are many of us reading this who are saying to themselves, "Another survey widget? Ho hum." To which you reply: "Yes, but this one is different. This one does X." This "X", of course, is your secret sauce. Your "unique value proposition." Now, if you don't know what X is, then figuring that out is what you need to be working on. It's going to be hard to attract co-founders or customers without it. If you do know what X is, then pitch it around to other potential co-founders. Locally-- you want someone in the same city. Sure, it's possible to collaborate remotely, but I wouldn't recommend it, especially under your circumstances. To summarize: define your "unique value proposition." Find a local co-founder who is passionate about it. And then, apply to YC.

sammville 16y ago
Thanks michael_dorfman. I would try looking for one but can you offer marketing advice. There are competitors in my space including kissinsights. We don't use an obstructive and annoying widget to collect feedback. It is more affordable and simpler to use than my competitors. We give even free users the power to set their own questions instead of forcing them to use templates or pay a hefty price for that option.
- michael_dorfman 16y ago
  Some free advice, for what it's worth: Don't lead with "more affordable." Trying to be the cheapest in the market is a losing strategy, generally speaking. "Simpler to use" is good. "Less annoying to end-users" is good, too. I assume you've got pilot customers. If you don't, get some. I don't mean users-- I mean customers. Get five people to pay for your product. Get their opinions. Now: think of a problem your product solves. I mean, one, specific, real life, concrete instance. You're looking for a story. Because that's what you want to pitch to bloggers/journalists. Features don't write stories-- anecdotes do. Read Patrick's blog. Take his advice seriously. And, good luck!

sammville 16y ago

Thanks michael_dorfman. I would try looking for one but can you offer marketing advice. There are competitors in my space including kissinsights. We don't use an obstructive and annoying widget to collect feedback. It is more affordable and simpler to use than my competitors. We give even free users the power to set their own questions instead of forcing them to use templates or pay a hefty price for that option.

michael_dorfman 16y ago
Some free advice, for what it's worth: Don't lead with "more affordable." Trying to be the cheapest in the market is a losing strategy, generally speaking. "Simpler to use" is good. "Less annoying to end-users" is good, too. I assume you've got pilot customers. If you don't, get some. I don't mean users-- I mean customers. Get five people to pay for your product. Get their opinions. Now: think of a problem your product solves. I mean, one, specific, real life, concrete instance. You're looking for a story. Because that's what you want to pitch to bloggers/journalists. Features don't write stories-- anecdotes do. Read Patrick's blog. Take his advice seriously. And, good luck!