As a programmer, where to start with a great idea?

Question

Duplicate of http://stackoverflow.com/questions/42670/i-have-an-idea-now-what

I'm not sure if is an appropriate question for Stackoverflow but since we're all programmers I think we've all have come across this problem once before and therefore I'm going to ask it anyway.

Being a programmer I come up with lots of ideas for potential applications and business ideas. Some might be great, others will probably suck big time. But, being just a programmer is apparently not enough to push any of these ideas out into the world. In the early days when software was simple you'd might have been able to realize your idea in your spare time. However, these days applications are much more complex and the ideas require a substantial amount of time to develop. As a programmer you normally don't have any money so you cannot just quit your job and go for it (because we all made the mistake not to be in this business for the cash).

If you had that great one great idea that would take a substantial amount of time to realize, how would you go about it?

Answer 1

If you had that great one great idea that would take a substantial amount of time to realize, how would you go about it?

I'd get on and do it. If you were a mechanic and you had a broken Rolls Royce you wouldn't leave it. You'd get your hands dirty and you'd build it to its former glory.

I understand your concerns, but realistically, you've got all the time in the world. If you set aside your free time to developing this idea into a finished product then with a bit of dedication you'd probably finish quicker than you'd think.

Just make it. If you make it and it's not very good then at least the experience has taught you something. Who knows? It might make you a better programmer.

Answer 2

Ideas are 2 a penny. It's the ones that get implemented that make money!

As they say, the proof is in the pudding! Best get there and at least prove the concept before you can expect anyone to take it any further.

Answer 3

I'd get on and do it.

At least far enough for having a prototype and a thought through business model with some market research. Then you might be able to find an investor or some sort of grant to take it to the next level.

Answer 4

See this: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/42670/i-have-an-idea-now-what#42678

Answer 5

A friend of mine has a friend that is heavy into VC (ventural capital) and her notable quote was "good ideas are cheap".

The point she's trying to make is that more often than not, it's not a good idea that makes money, it's how well it's executed.

It's hard to give suggestions because that depends on the specifics. If you want to sell something via a Website to consumers then that has a different strategy attached than, say, selling something to large corporate customers (which will absolutely require someone who can sell). Deciding which of these (or both or something else entirely) is the best distribution strategy is something that may require some expertise as well.

For example, I'd be lost trying to sell IT to the oil and gas or medical fields because neither of those I know anything about. I would need someone with relevant experience.

What you're probably looking for is a low-impact and relatively low-risk means of testing the waters. If possible, look at building a prototype, proof-of-solution or even proof-of-concept. Find someone who might be interested and float it by them but you may really need to take steps to protect your IP in this case.

Also, don't be afraid to give up equity in an enterprise that is going to take off (or simply might take off). As a friend of mien put it: better to own 10% of something worth $100m than 100% of something worth $1m. By the same token, don't give up equity too easily. The popular way to go for IT enterprises is the VC route but this is actually a pretty terrible way to go in this sense: VC funding is about the most expensive non-loanshark form of funding there is.

Making money from something is all about finding the right team who are enthused about your idea. That may mean founding a company with key people (such as people experienced in business, finance and/or sales) and going from there.

But don't throw in your day job just yet if you don't have to.

Answer 6

Is there a reason to build something extravagant to slowly make money when you could build a simpler version of it to get income coming in sooner?

When picking something I try to choose:

• something that is the simplest thing to build,
• with the quickest time to market,
• with the greatest chance of getting paying customers myself.

I believe it's valuable to be able to sell your own application 50-100 times in your own city. It gives me the inside out understanding of my pricing, pitch, barriers to a close, and small feedback that simply advertising online often takes longer to find out.

So, pick a product you know well, that will help people that you know in your existing network (and their competitors), which won't require you to spend a ton of time marketing and selling.. meaning you can sell first and build your selling experience as you go.

If you can save a client a full time position ($2-3000/month) you can charge $2-300/month without much push back as long as you present the value. You only have to sell it 10-15 times to make it a low-end full time income.

0.02 :)

Answer 7

Ideas are a dime a dozen. Execution is hard. If you've got a great idea, chances are a dozen people have thought of it first, but haven't implemented it.

So, if you think your idea is worth implementing, and can scrape the resources together to do it, then go for it. If you think starting up a startup is the way to go, then start away. The best way to do it depends greatly on what you're doing, and you should keep in mind the possibility that "don't" is the right answer.

But, please don't think the world owes you money for your great idea: it doesn't.

Answer 8

I've been there and done that...my business started in my home office and is now quite successful.

First, stay realistic about your idea. Is it something that competes with companies that already have a long-established market share or a network effect that you cannot overcome? Don't build a word processor and expect anyone to buy it. However you should probably avoid any market that has no competitors. If no one has succeeded in the market, it is probably because there isn't really a market. If you meet both criteria and have faith that you can successfully execute the development - and that people will spend cold, hard cash to use it or advertise on it - then go to step 2.

Second, you really do have to build at least the kernel of the product - the more the better as long as you take no more than a few months to get it together. You simply must have something you can show friends and family and ask "what do you think?" If you are simply thinking (dreaming) about creating something, you'll have no foundation for getting real, usable feedback. Assuming you've created it and your friends have seen it, or better yet have come to use it, then you're ready to move forward.

Third, you'll need at least a few thousand in cash to get started. Savings, a loan from friends or family, whatever. This is, first and foremost, because you'll need to get a website up, a Google AdWords account, and possibly some magazine ads in trade mags. I knew that my business was going somewhere by attending a trade show. It was on unsteady legs at the time (the product that is) but, when I saw the response at the trade show (we sold 30 copies on the spot) I knew I had a winner.

Fourth, it really helps to have a supportive spouse. When I got started, my wife did yeoman's work helping me answer phones and inquiries while I continued toiling at my day job (she was home with our second baby). Of course, even if your spouse doesn't help, it helps if he or she is supportive!

Finally, if you are really breaking out, you may want to invite in people with money to help you move to the big times. If it is a niche product, you probably want to avoid this (as I have). I've seen two companies started by dynamic, knowledgeable people get yanked out from under the founders by investors who grew impatient.

Throughout the process, figure on a rollercoaster ride and some incredibly long and hard hours. Oh, and one more thing, don't bother with Health Promotion or Fitness markets - I've already got 'em covered ;0).

Answer 9

In "Pragmatic Thinking and Learning" by Andy Hunt, he has a great triangle that demonstrates this concept. In context, he recommends writing everything down. All ideas (whether great or lame) should be recorded somewhere. As time progresses, you will digest these ideas.

Imagine the triangle with the following layers going from the base to the top...

Triangle:

1. People Who Have Great Ideas People
2. Who Keep Track of Them
3. People Who Act on Them
4. People Who Can Pull It Off

There are few people who ever make it to the top simply because they do not record, think, and act.