3 ms·

Have you started building an audience? (ie. connecting with people that would be users of your product?)

melling 13y ago
Justin, your audience is here. Your products are "shovels for the gold miners", or simply motivation. I've listened to your podcast and mostly enjoy it. However, what you're selling, and what your advice caters to, doesn't really go far enough with people who sell other types of products, other than the "shovel sellers." https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/product-people/id585390927 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/product-people/id5853909... Maybe you could dig deeper and go beyond the "motivational" stuff? Of course, I do like a weekly dose of motivation.
- neilk 13y ago
  Oh yeah, I'm aware this guy is just here to sell his $10/month network of entrepreneurs. To be honest, it's not hard to find other solopreneurs struggling - I already connect with people this way for regular check-ins, and for much of 2013 I even set up a regular Google Hangout to do that. But it is at best a minor help, at worst a distraction. It doesn't come close to replacing a cofounder who will force you to talk through important issues, who will dive deep with you into the product. I answered the question because it was worth crafting an answer, for me.
  - melling 13y ago
    Yep, we're the business model. There are lots of struggling entrepreneurs so they can charge a small recurring fee and make money. Btw, there's another "selling shovels service" for finding a cofounder too: http://founderdating.com http://founderdating.com The problem is that most of these services don't really add much value. You get a few connections, lots of advice, and you're still on your own.
  - mijustin 13y ago
    There have always been communities and clubs for entrepreneurs + tech folks (Rotary, Chamber, Homebrew Computer Club). I wanted to recreate that feeling I get when I'm hanging out at a conference (in the hallway, after sessions) with other attendees. Being able to talk to smart people, exchange ideas and tips, on a regular basis is super helpful.
    - neilk 13y ago
      Fair enough but that doesn't really correlate with willingness to spend $10/month on some site that doesn't already have a reputation. These sorts of things need some nucleus to form around, some other reason for being there that attracts smart and creative do-ers, and that will repel wannabes and service providers (lawyers, accountants, etc). Often I find the best "networking" happens at events which are completely unrelated to anything businessy.
      - mijustin 13y ago
        Yup, I agree. The "nucleus" of our group were smart people I'd met through my podcast (Product People). We only let 5-10 people in at a time, and the monthly cost itself keeps most trolls away. ;) The group has a great diversity: everyone from people building their first thing, to folks that have already built big (million+ in sales) businesses. Clearly, choosing a group to belong to is a pretty personal choice. Our group isn't going to appeal to everyone. ;) (And correction: it's actually $20/month! There are other active + healthy communities that are $34-$100/month out there as well)
- mijustin 13y ago
  It depends. ;) I think there's a difference between "shovels" (which are tools) and motivation. > your advice caters to, doesn't really go far enough with people who sell other types of products What type of products are you selling?
neilk 13y ago
For this project, it's hard to do that without actually building a reasonable prototype. I have a technology demo but it requires a lot of explanation. Once people get it, some people do get very excited, but I need a better demo or set of prototypes or sales deck. Working on that for the rest of December. There are two potential markets, one b2c on mobile, one b2b. I have some interest from b2b already, but selling to them is going to take longer. My theory for now is to get a little more interest from b2b with my non-interactive prototypes. That will at least give me more confidence to go forward, in case b2c doesn't work out.

Justin, your audience is here. Your products are "shovels for the gold miners", or simply motivation. I've listened to your podcast and mostly enjoy it. However, what you're selling, and what your advice caters to, doesn't really go far enough with people who sell other types of products, other than the "shovel sellers." https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/product-people/id585390927 https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/product-people/id5853909... Maybe you could dig deeper and go beyond the "motivational" stuff? Of course, I do like a weekly dose of motivation.

neilk 13y ago
Oh yeah, I'm aware this guy is just here to sell his $10/month network of entrepreneurs. To be honest, it's not hard to find other solopreneurs struggling - I already connect with people this way for regular check-ins, and for much of 2013 I even set up a regular Google Hangout to do that. But it is at best a minor help, at worst a distraction. It doesn't come close to replacing a cofounder who will force you to talk through important issues, who will dive deep with you into the product. I answered the question because it was worth crafting an answer, for me.
- melling 13y ago
  Yep, we're the business model. There are lots of struggling entrepreneurs so they can charge a small recurring fee and make money. Btw, there's another "selling shovels service" for finding a cofounder too: http://founderdating.com http://founderdating.com The problem is that most of these services don't really add much value. You get a few connections, lots of advice, and you're still on your own.
- mijustin 13y ago
  There have always been communities and clubs for entrepreneurs + tech folks (Rotary, Chamber, Homebrew Computer Club). I wanted to recreate that feeling I get when I'm hanging out at a conference (in the hallway, after sessions) with other attendees. Being able to talk to smart people, exchange ideas and tips, on a regular basis is super helpful.
  - neilk 13y ago
    Fair enough but that doesn't really correlate with willingness to spend $10/month on some site that doesn't already have a reputation. These sorts of things need some nucleus to form around, some other reason for being there that attracts smart and creative do-ers, and that will repel wannabes and service providers (lawyers, accountants, etc). Often I find the best "networking" happens at events which are completely unrelated to anything businessy.
    - mijustin 13y ago
      Yup, I agree. The "nucleus" of our group were smart people I'd met through my podcast (Product People). We only let 5-10 people in at a time, and the monthly cost itself keeps most trolls away. ;) The group has a great diversity: everyone from people building their first thing, to folks that have already built big (million+ in sales) businesses. Clearly, choosing a group to belong to is a pretty personal choice. Our group isn't going to appeal to everyone. ;) (And correction: it's actually $20/month! There are other active + healthy communities that are $34-$100/month out there as well)
mijustin 13y ago
It depends. ;) I think there's a difference between "shovels" (which are tools) and motivation. > your advice caters to, doesn't really go far enough with people who sell other types of products What type of products are you selling?

neilk 13y ago

For this project, it's hard to do that without actually building a reasonable prototype. I have a technology demo but it requires a lot of explanation. Once people get it, some people do get very excited, but I need a better demo or set of prototypes or sales deck. Working on that for the rest of December. There are two potential markets, one b2c on mobile, one b2b. I have some interest from b2b already, but selling to them is going to take longer. My theory for now is to get a little more interest from b2b with my non-interactive prototypes. That will at least give me more confidence to go forward, in case b2c doesn't work out.