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Ask HN: How do you get feedback from potential customers of a startup idea?

8 points by istinetz ↗ HN
I have an idea for a software application for the animation industry. However, I'm having trouble getting any feedback from people in the industry.

I've tried a bunch of different approaches. People will sometimes respond if I vaguely say "can I ask you a couple of questions?", but as soon as I mention new product idea, they stop responding.

Any tricks? What worked for you?

11 comments

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ffhhj
I would look for animation agencies to quote a project in a way that allowed me to interview the team, and would tell them something on the lines of: "some guy offered me to use his app on this project and it works this way, is it a good idea or is the guy nuts?". Setting the "other guy" as someone you don't care about should bring you honest answers.
verdverm
That's a neat strategy as long as the project is not easily traceable to you. Of course you could create this separate noob persona I suppose
ffhhj
There are animation agencies all around the globe, I have worked with several from different countries on videogames/XR projects. They are used to quotes from "crazy artists" and will be more than happy to get projects from outsiders. They don't really care about "you", but will try to sell all their services desperately, agencies live in a rough battlefield in every city.
verdverm
I was thinking more generally for seeking feedback on any project in any field
ffhhj
Ok, yeah this would work on other fields too. Quoting and interviewing the team will be free. Agencies know customers need to inspect the team, and projects can be stolen by another agency, so they will try to grab your check as quick as possible, but won't come after you if you just vanish before signing.
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kleer001
I have so many questions...

In what forum are you asking your questions? IRL? Over the phone? On a website forum? At a convention? At a bar? With friends? Strangers? Co-workers?

They who? Who are you asking? Potential users? Potential buyers? Other providers? Students? Pros? Teachers?

Do you have a MVP? A pretotype? What are you showing these people?

Are you in the animation industry? Been there before?

Is this idea just inspired? Did it come about from interviews with artists?

And last, but not least, have you seen a few seasons worth of Shark Tank or Dragon's Den? Naturally they're edited for drama and some of the offers are unhinged, but quite often an episode contains a bit of real talk and sage advice from the Sharks/Dragons about how to start, run, and grow a business.

edit: I work in the vfx industry so I'm personally invested in you succeeding to help out animators!

istinetz
>In what forum are you asking your questions? ... They who?

Over email and linkedin. I selected a random sample of solo animators, established animators, biz dev people in animation studios.

>Do you have a MVP? A pretotype? What are you showing these people?

An idea. I'd like to know if it's something usable, before I commit the month or two I need for an MVP.

>And last, but not least, have you seen a few seasons worth of Shark Tank or Dragon's Den?

Yep, of course :)

Since you work in the industry, do you mind if I send you a PM with the thing, and you tell me if it makes sense?

kleer001
Ahhh, all by email. I haven't done any email canvassing, but yea, that sounds rough.

Sure sure, drop me a line. Happy to help. Though, I'm a bit of an optimist and you should take any advice from me with a grain of salt.

Please see my profile for a poorly obfuscated email address. Please let me know, too, what your competition is like.

kleer001
if you already sent an email please try again, my obfuscated email might have been a bit too ambiguous, I've corrected it. And once you do I can take it down.

Though, I guess if you don't want to please let me know too so I can take it down.