Re:Ask HN: Why can't I make as much as I make?
by webwright on Monday April 11, 2011 @11:57AM
(#2432982)
"Be able to launch the SaaS in 3 months work."
I don't see ANY mention of marketing in there. I can't tell you the number of SaaS-on-the-side startups that I've seen launch to nothing but crickets.
If you launch a SaaS offering, understand that you'll be competing in your on-the-side marketing efforts with people who are spending lots of time/money to grow their business. Going to try SEO? Your competition has going full steam with SEO-- how are you going to compete? Adwords? Most SMB SaaS can't afford adwords. Facebook ads? Bit of a minefield, but possible. Word of mouth? There's a lot of noise out there
In other words, have a customer acquisition plan and be prepared for that to be your fulltime job. 37Signals, with their early fame and following, took 12 months before they could afford to set aside consulting. It's a longer road than you think.
I don't see ANY mention of marketing in there. I can't tell you the number of SaaS-on-the-side startups that I've seen launch to nothing but crickets.
If you launch a SaaS offering, understand that you'll be competing in your on-the-side marketing efforts with people who are spending lots of time/money to grow their business. Going to try SEO? Your competition has going full steam with SEO-- how are you going to compete? Adwords? Most SMB SaaS can't afford adwords. Facebook ads? Bit of a minefield, but possible. Word of mouth? There's a lot of noise out there
In other words, have a customer acquisition plan and be prepared for that to be your fulltime job. 37Signals, with their early fame and following, took 12 months before they could afford to set aside consulting. It's a longer road than you think.