Rincewind
Don't give up and never hide
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- Jun 4, 2016
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I am a software developer.
This is how I thought about myself for many years. I studied IT, made a diploma and a MSC. I worked for companies and wrote software for them. Then I started freelancing six years ago.
I get very good hourly rates for my freelancing, but basically I changed the form of employment. It's slowlane, but at least it's not the sidewalk. But I get all my clients just because of the skills I have. I don't solve real problems. They want xyz coded and I do it. I get my hourly rates because there are not so many highly educated people with the specific experiences like mine.
I started my first "own" company four years ago. I created a web app that solves decision problems (like the website from the fastlane book, just with lots of unneeded details). I thought: "Well, I'm a software developer, so I need a co-founder with sales experience". I found one.
He could sell himself very well, but he couldn't sell our product. It was too generic to solve a real problem, so I think nobody could really sell that product. But the point is, I had no idea about selling and I didn't start learning that day.
My biggest lesson learned from that first company was the classic one. We built something that no one needed. We didn't solve a problem. So I started learning to spot problems and needs. Currently I talk to 100 freelaners / software agencies, to learn about their problems and needs. I will create my next product around the needs and problems of freelance software developers. Since I'm a software developer and freelancer myself, I can easily connect and I know most of their pains myself.
But now I'm at this point:
But where do I start? I don't think that I need all marketing / sales skills. As a software developer I try to get a T-Shaped profile. I know one aspect very deep (scalable web apps) and I know basic stuff about many other parts (e.g. Deployment, Testing, UX, ...)
I want to build software products, since this is one of my biggest strengths. I also like writing, so info products will be other products. What kind of marketing skills do I need to practice for these kinds of products? And more important: Which skills can I ignore for the start?
How did you become the best sales person for exactly the products you create and sell?
This is how I thought about myself for many years. I studied IT, made a diploma and a MSC. I worked for companies and wrote software for them. Then I started freelancing six years ago.
I get very good hourly rates for my freelancing, but basically I changed the form of employment. It's slowlane, but at least it's not the sidewalk. But I get all my clients just because of the skills I have. I don't solve real problems. They want xyz coded and I do it. I get my hourly rates because there are not so many highly educated people with the specific experiences like mine.
I started my first "own" company four years ago. I created a web app that solves decision problems (like the website from the fastlane book, just with lots of unneeded details). I thought: "Well, I'm a software developer, so I need a co-founder with sales experience". I found one.
He could sell himself very well, but he couldn't sell our product. It was too generic to solve a real problem, so I think nobody could really sell that product. But the point is, I had no idea about selling and I didn't start learning that day.
My biggest lesson learned from that first company was the classic one. We built something that no one needed. We didn't solve a problem. So I started learning to spot problems and needs. Currently I talk to 100 freelaners / software agencies, to learn about their problems and needs. I will create my next product around the needs and problems of freelance software developers. Since I'm a software developer and freelancer myself, I can easily connect and I know most of their pains myself.
But now I'm at this point:
- I know how to create products
- I start knowing if there is a real need
- I wont build too complex and too big solutions anymore
- But I don't know how or where to sell them...
But where do I start? I don't think that I need all marketing / sales skills. As a software developer I try to get a T-Shaped profile. I know one aspect very deep (scalable web apps) and I know basic stuff about many other parts (e.g. Deployment, Testing, UX, ...)
I want to build software products, since this is one of my biggest strengths. I also like writing, so info products will be other products. What kind of marketing skills do I need to practice for these kinds of products? And more important: Which skills can I ignore for the start?
How did you become the best sales person for exactly the products you create and sell?
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