Anybody get super anxious about putting work out into the world?
So I've never launched anything anywhere before. I would class myself as the ultimate lurker!
I've built a little tool that I use for myself that checks internet speed (similar to fast.com) but it's an app that lives in the mac menu bar.
I would like feedback on my landing page and eventually to launch but even writing this post is making me nervous.
How do you deal with these nerves if you get them?
Launch it. You'll see it's not a bad as you think
I hope so. Feedback on the landing page on Indie Hackers has been broadly positive so far with some interesting advice.
Hey Thomas, I used to be very shy when it came to launching. I have been attempting to build products since 2009, constantly failing to reach out to people and show them stuff I have built.
For the last 2 years I have gotten better at it, although I do not currently have a product that I am focused on. What helped was watching a ton of startup videos which kept repeating that I should not build something (if I plan to have customers) in isolation. I should get feedback as early as possible.
That kinda pushed me out of my comfort zone. These days I am launching pre-product landing pages even. Which is difficult for my mindset, since I stick to writing code first :|
Yeah I know that I need to build in public, it just makes me nervous and if I tweet that I'm building for example it feels like I'm writing into a void as I don't have much of a following.
I'm trying to get better though :)
@raidzklart Write to the void. The audience is not important right now when you start, the practice of writing regularly is more important.
For me, I need to get back to blogging regularly.
Don't worry about it.
FUD is the main reason 99% of startups fail: they don't even get started!
Just ship it and let the universe handle it. It'll either fail or succeed. And about the nerves: don't worry, even experienced makers feel it - putting yourself out there, vulnerable, is always hard!
Thanks! It's useful to know that even experienced makers still get nervous. Just got to make sure I don't let it paralyse me.
I get that feeling, it doesn't seem to matter if it's a product or some of my photography. I still get that anxious feeling. I think it's natural and everyone feels it.
I think the best way is to take baby steps. Keep in mind you don't have a large audience right now you are likely not going to be overwhelmed but you will find alot of support out there for you.
Put it live and then it put it out there but don't need to tell everyone, pick your places maybe post it here asking for feedback. Don't just throw it out and wait.
Ask for the feedback on the landing page in the telegram group, you will get alot of feedback most of it might be good :)
I think doing it with small deliberate acts can help you grow your confidence to get out there and do great things, but take that first step.
Very useful take. I look at it like maybe there's no point tweeting what I'm doing etc but maybe I should think that maybe even just one person might offer some useful advice or encouragement.
@raidzklart another way to look at it and I do this alot. By tweeting about what I'm working on it helps me shape the pitch. You are limited in what you can say. So it lets me frame my thinking and how I present my idea.
Also as @brainless (Sumit) points out in his comment, it's all practice and helping you get better at it. if it's pitching or writing copy.
If someone see's it and has advice, feedback and encouragement that's a bonus.
@raidzklart I used to tell myself this when I handled social media for my previous businesses, i.e. that all I needed was to reach just one person that day. If 1 person engaged, responded, or purchased, I would consider the day a success. Small wins stack up over time.
Also, "the void" is rarely devoid of any/all activity. Bear in mind the "90-9-1" rule of groups:
- 90% of ppl just lurk
- 9% of ppl casually participate
- 1% of ppl create the most content
You can massively amplify your voice by being the 1% that creates content others consume.
If you regularly create stuff, it often leads to serendipitous new connections, and you can possibly amplify your voice by a huge amount.
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