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Start by identifying the problem you're trying to solve, then validate that the problem is worth solving and that your approach can get people wanting to solve

Start by identifying the problem you're trying to solve, then validate that the problem is worth solving and that your approach can get people wanting to solve it. Then figure out what's the quickest way to test this, and only then if all is validated start building something.

Mauro333 3y ago
I am very thankful for your reply sir. About the problem - I don't necessarily have a specific problem I want to solve besides the fact I want to run a software/website company´and try to make customers as happy as possible. I don't care about the money. My mission is really to recreate that feeling of trying a new software and incooperating it into your life. Platforms I idealize and wish I was the creator of would be the likes of Reddit, Tinder, Substack, X, Tumbler or Letterboxd.
- fakedang 3y ago
  Every product started off as solving something people wanted to be solved. Reddit and Tumblr:- solved the problem of sharing links within communities pseudonymously Tinder:- scaled hookups Substack:- enabled writers to monetize their periodical content Twitter:- enabled people to broadcast extremely concise messages globally Letterboxed:- enabled people to share their film prefs (not sure if this is a real problem, and I actually had to Google this one) Start by going around and asking businesses near you what the biggest issues are that they face. Sometimes a solved problem in the US may not be a solved problem in another place. Or sometimes a new business trend will open up doors to disrupt traditional businesses. But it all roots back to the problem - if you're not solving a real problem, you're not going to be successful getting even 1 user/customer.
  - Mauro333 3y ago
    That was nicely put - thank you Dang. I couldn't agree more with what you are writing. I always tell myself if I want to solve a problem it should primarily be a problem I face myself. The question becomes what problems do I need solved? Life as a 23 year old university student is so convenient already. Potential minor problems I would want solved: 1. When I have very interesting discussions with someone I wish I had it recorded so I could post/share it online. I am thinking just daily stuff without having to sit in a room together and do a podcast. This can KINDA be solved by livestreaming nonstop but that's far from ideal and does not have mass appeal. 2. A more modern way of finding jobs - I really believe there's a lot of improvements to be made here esp in Denmark. We use Jobindex, LinkedIn and Jobteaser primarily and all services seem ineffective. Probably just a university student problem. Regardless, it does not sound like an interesting problem to solve like the other ones I mentioned above. 3. Speeddating. I don't struggle with going on dates or picking up girls IRL but it would be more fun if you could just click "QUEUE" on your phone and it automatically sets up a blind date - maybe this actually exists already? Sounds so fun.
    - fakedang 3y ago
      If you want my two cents, you're already right about most of the stuff you had mentioned in your first paragraph. The best problems to solve are the ones that you face personally. On your ideas, I would remark that job hunting and online dating are both still very underserved problems, and as you mentioned, vastly inefficient. Dating is an interesting scenario - OkCupid was actually doing very well at solving the problem with a high success rate, before they started regressing their algorithm after their acquisition by Match.com. On the other hand, job hunting will always remain an elusive problem.

Mauro333 3y ago

I am very thankful for your reply sir. About the problem - I don't necessarily have a specific problem I want to solve besides the fact I want to run a software/website company´and try to make customers as happy as possible. I don't care about the money. My mission is really to recreate that feeling of trying a new software and incooperating it into your life. Platforms I idealize and wish I was the creator of would be the likes of Reddit, Tinder, Substack, X, Tumbler or Letterboxd.

fakedang 3y ago
Every product started off as solving something people wanted to be solved. Reddit and Tumblr:- solved the problem of sharing links within communities pseudonymously Tinder:- scaled hookups Substack:- enabled writers to monetize their periodical content Twitter:- enabled people to broadcast extremely concise messages globally Letterboxed:- enabled people to share their film prefs (not sure if this is a real problem, and I actually had to Google this one) Start by going around and asking businesses near you what the biggest issues are that they face. Sometimes a solved problem in the US may not be a solved problem in another place. Or sometimes a new business trend will open up doors to disrupt traditional businesses. But it all roots back to the problem - if you're not solving a real problem, you're not going to be successful getting even 1 user/customer.
- Mauro333 3y ago
  That was nicely put - thank you Dang. I couldn't agree more with what you are writing. I always tell myself if I want to solve a problem it should primarily be a problem I face myself. The question becomes what problems do I need solved? Life as a 23 year old university student is so convenient already. Potential minor problems I would want solved: 1. When I have very interesting discussions with someone I wish I had it recorded so I could post/share it online. I am thinking just daily stuff without having to sit in a room together and do a podcast. This can KINDA be solved by livestreaming nonstop but that's far from ideal and does not have mass appeal. 2. A more modern way of finding jobs - I really believe there's a lot of improvements to be made here esp in Denmark. We use Jobindex, LinkedIn and Jobteaser primarily and all services seem ineffective. Probably just a university student problem. Regardless, it does not sound like an interesting problem to solve like the other ones I mentioned above. 3. Speeddating. I don't struggle with going on dates or picking up girls IRL but it would be more fun if you could just click "QUEUE" on your phone and it automatically sets up a blind date - maybe this actually exists already? Sounds so fun.
  - fakedang 3y ago
    If you want my two cents, you're already right about most of the stuff you had mentioned in your first paragraph. The best problems to solve are the ones that you face personally. On your ideas, I would remark that job hunting and online dating are both still very underserved problems, and as you mentioned, vastly inefficient. Dating is an interesting scenario - OkCupid was actually doing very well at solving the problem with a high success rate, before they started regressing their algorithm after their acquisition by Match.com. On the other hand, job hunting will always remain an elusive problem.