HN Explorer

Ask HN: What are the options for gathering talented people around project-to-be

6 points by nenadg ↗ HN
I had that little side-project which should be an integrated solution for end-to-end testing, which I released open source last year (original HN post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=12830746, github repo: https://github.com/nenadg/traquer).

I haven't worked on it since that, because I've been finishing other interesting projects.

Right now I'd like to assemble a group of people interested in further development of a product based on that idea, so I wonder what should I ask people, and what should I give them in return. I have zero money currently so all I can give is a promise of equity or something like that :-).

I know it doesn't sound serious enough to ask people to sacrifice their time for some ludicrously random project, so I wonder how should I approach to realization of my idea?

7 comments

[ 3.6 ms ] story [ 21.1 ms ] thread
jacquesm
Paying them well is a good start, promises of equity don't feed people and don't pay mortgages.

If you're willing to actually give out (substantial) equity rather than just promising it you might find a talented young person willing to give you the benefit of the doubt. But promises should get you absolutely nowhere.

It all looks as if you're trying to get others to go the distance on this idea of yours and then maybe if you're honorable you'll cut them in on a slice. That's bad optics and tech people are wising up to being taken advantage of so I suggest you fix that first before you try to attract talent.

Keep in mind that you don't think the project is worth your time because other things are more interesting so you're going to have a hard time convincing others that it is worth their time.

nenadg
Thanks for comment.

I'm certainly not trying to scam people :-), when I said promise, it meant to be executed in full-legal term. As the other, I'm just another person in tech industry and I know what time means, I just can't finish it sole by myself.

jacquesm
I'm not saying you are trying to scam people but all the signs you are giving off are pointing in that direction which certainly won't help.
nenadg
That's what I want to hear :-). Thanks for insight.
brudgers
Find some money to pay people. That's part of what leading a software business (or any business) entails. In a case where the developer has spent a year ignoring the project, it is also a way potential team members may guage commitment.

In places with minimum wage laws, not paying workers a regular wage is likely to be illegal. It creates a huge potential liability...which reminds me of another reason to find some money...to run basic business questions past an attorney and accountant.

pshapiro99
One place to find people interested in your project is at local meetups or computer user groups. Search meetups to find if there is one that gathers people on similar topics. Consider starting a meetup, too. You might offer to make presentation at your local Linux users group, for example. Your product/service would be of interest to people doing web startups, so try to track down meetups of those people. Search Twitter bios for relevant keywords, too. I use Followerwonk https://moz.com/followerwonk/bio Hope this tips are useful. Contact me at @philshapiro (Twitter) if you have follow up questions. I work as a public librarian and answer people's questions for a living.
UK-AL
People aren't going to work on a paid for product without any sort of payment...