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Why my project is failing?

3 points by scancool 12y ago

I posted this product on kickstarter which I though it would be really cool, but is failing, I would like your feedback in to know why?

NicoJuicy 12y ago
Have you done market research? I don't know about most people, but i know not many people here in my country (Belgium) have blinds. Also, i don't need an automated way to open/close my curtains... It's not really a hassle to close them while i walk to my bed :) andi don't know for sure. But Kickstarter is a real promotional campaign. There is a lot of effort in making it work and i haven't seen this project anywhere except for now.
- scancool 12y ago
  I guess you are right most people have curtains, but in USA most people have blinds, I understand closing might not be a problem, but I was approaching more towards the blinds opening in the morning automatically so you would woke up with the light of the sun.
  - lsh123 12y ago
    This is actually the exact opposing of what I want: my bedroom window is on the east side and in the summer the sun shines through the window very early in the morning. I actually keep the blinds closed pretty much all the time since I am lazy and I don't spend a lot of time in the bedroom except when I am sleeping.
    - scancool 12y ago
      it would have different use for everyone :)
leepowers 12y ago
A few thoughts immediately come to mind: 1) No pain point. The project has a gee-whiz, neato factor to it. While it would be cool to have this level of automation there's no strong need or urge to have it. The thing is mini-blinds suck. The cords get tangled. One side almost always gets stuck when rolling up/down. If your product addressed this pain point and you tied the automation feature to taking the suck out of mini-blinds that might gain more traction. Instead of having to fumble with cords, just press a button. 2) Where's your team? Is it just you taking care of everything? Product design, product testing, order fulfillment, press releases/management, manufacture - all of these are major tasks. It's seems like a herculean effort for one guy. And makes me hesitant that there will be a final, shippable product.
- scancool 12y ago
  1) it would only work with the turning rod blinds, I know is not much but is a start. I would like to get more into home automation, and I though I should start with this. 2)I had hire someone for video that's about it, and the same person fix the English in the bio. I had designed the product myself and printed out with my 3D printer, I been doing PCB manufacture with companies in china, so that's very easy the plastic molding would be something new for me, if the project would get funded I would hire someone to take care of all the business part and I would take care of the manufacture, since thats the part I enjoy more.
  - scancool 12y ago
    but I see your point not having a team I can see how it might scare people. I'm thinking just hire someone just to do the business right?

3 points by scancool 12y ago

I posted this product on kickstarter which I though it would be really cool, but is failing, I would like your feedback in to know why?

NicoJuicy 12y ago

Have you done market research? I don't know about most people, but i know not many people here in my country (Belgium) have blinds. Also, i don't need an automated way to open/close my curtains... It's not really a hassle to close them while i walk to my bed :) andi don't know for sure. But Kickstarter is a real promotional campaign. There is a lot of effort in making it work and i haven't seen this project anywhere except for now.

scancool 12y ago
I guess you are right most people have curtains, but in USA most people have blinds, I understand closing might not be a problem, but I was approaching more towards the blinds opening in the morning automatically so you would woke up with the light of the sun.
- lsh123 12y ago
  This is actually the exact opposing of what I want: my bedroom window is on the east side and in the summer the sun shines through the window very early in the morning. I actually keep the blinds closed pretty much all the time since I am lazy and I don't spend a lot of time in the bedroom except when I am sleeping.
  - scancool 12y ago
    it would have different use for everyone :)

leepowers 12y ago

A few thoughts immediately come to mind: 1) No pain point. The project has a gee-whiz, neato factor to it. While it would be cool to have this level of automation there's no strong need or urge to have it. The thing is mini-blinds suck. The cords get tangled. One side almost always gets stuck when rolling up/down. If your product addressed this pain point and you tied the automation feature to taking the suck out of mini-blinds that might gain more traction. Instead of having to fumble with cords, just press a button. 2) Where's your team? Is it just you taking care of everything? Product design, product testing, order fulfillment, press releases/management, manufacture - all of these are major tasks. It's seems like a herculean effort for one guy. And makes me hesitant that there will be a final, shippable product.

scancool 12y ago
1) it would only work with the turning rod blinds, I know is not much but is a start. I would like to get more into home automation, and I though I should start with this. 2)I had hire someone for video that's about it, and the same person fix the English in the bio. I had designed the product myself and printed out with my 3D printer, I been doing PCB manufacture with companies in china, so that's very easy the plastic molding would be something new for me, if the project would get funded I would hire someone to take care of all the business part and I would take care of the manufacture, since thats the part I enjoy more.
- scancool 12y ago
  but I see your point not having a team I can see how it might scare people. I'm thinking just hire someone just to do the business right?