Developing an idea on a budget: Where the geeks at?

[saor]

So imagine there's no Soundcloud or facebook & lets say I had an idea for something like Soundcloud or facebook (just as an example - so pls don't get too caught up on it) but I don't code or know any coders or web developers. What would be the best recourse to realizing that idea? Are there those brilliant coders you see in the movies who haven't got a job who'd be willing to develop this amazing thing for a meager amount of money, or for the promise of an x% cut of whatever money might be generated months or years down the line?

Really just throwing this out there because I've had this idea kicking around but I'm not really sure how to take it further. I don't have the kind of capital lying around to take someone on full time (I couldn't pay them much more than a very basic salary) to develop this idea to a point where it can either go live or where we invest a larger sum of money into taking the idea further by bringing more people on board.

Maybe someone here has started an online platform or app without much money to start off with? Or maybe some general guidelines on what (a basic salary, future benefits etc.) you could offer someone to work on the idea for a few months? Pointers on who to approach, where to find them. Would it be best to wait a while and raise some capital? Anything you care to mention would be helpful.

Thanks .

 

[biometrics]

Unfortunately ideas are worth nothing.

 

[saor]

Unfortunately ideas are worth nothing.

Hence the question on how to take it further . I'm under no illusions of it being this super-awesome great thing that's gonna take the world by storm. It's not something I want to do to make money - it's just something I thought would be useful, but the more I think about it the more application I see for it. So I wouldn't mind putting a bit of money into trying to develop it for a few months. If it sucks at the end of that development period then eh - it sucks and that's the end of it . If it doesn't suck and takes off well that'd be cool too obviously.

 

[froot]

/waits for the "I can't afford to pay you now, but you can have a 50% stake in the profits"

 

[letslogic.com]

PM me, I might do it for free if it has long term potential...

 

[ozziej]

Honestly, I've been down the road with two projects like this. I've found the best way to do this is to make sure there are agreements in writing before starting.
Lay out what Each party will do, payment / profit share etc and then development milestones for the developer. Not doing this is a recipe for disaster.
Also, make sure you have a solid business plan, ideas are great, but how are you going to monetize it?
Basically you are asking someone to spend hours on a project that might never work. If you wouldn't show your idea to a business investor / bank manager, then don't try and sell it to someone who is going to invest their time.

 

[biometrics]

Hence the question on how to take it further . I'm under no illusions of it being this super-awesome great thing that's gonna take the world by storm. It's not something I want to do to make money - it's just something I thought would be useful, but the more I think about it the more application I see for it. So I wouldn't mind putting a bit of money into trying to develop it for a few months. If it sucks at the end of that development period then eh - it sucks and that's the end of it . If it doesn't suck and takes off well that'd be cool too obviously.

Ever considered learning to program?

 

[Sherbang]

Take out a business loan and employ someone or try crowd funding like kickstarter

 

[member2204]

Maybe 88mph can help. Or Google Entrepreneurs.

 

[Y'all Qaeda]

I've got the same issue - keep coming up with ideas and not sure how to develop them. I've enrolled for a BSc.. Some might say overkill, but it'll serve me well in my current career as well, and who knows, might make millions and then it's paid itself off very quickly.

 

[Dolby]

I've got the same issue - keep coming up with ideas and not sure how to develop them.

+1

or for the promise of an x% cut of whatever money might be generated months or years down the line?

I'd have thought this was an option myself, providing you have a decent business plan as mentioned. This is what I'd propose - then the developer can tell up front if it's worth his time to pursue.

The idea now is subscription based and I'd think a percentage of the subscription would be great. Yes - for the first 6 months he may only 'make' R2,000.00 on the side - but in 2 years this could be a R10,000 residual income with little work

Plus, not every coder is super wealthy or even has a job ... you must get some willing to take a chance

 

[^^vampire^^]

I've taken on some amazing projects, built them and now they are sitting there with no marketing happening whatosever. Great ideas just mo forward marketing on them. However I made sure I got paid for them so not my problem

 

[Dolby]

Up front payment?

 

[hilrap]

If it sucks at the end of that development period then eh - it sucks and that's the end of it . If it doesn't suck and takes off well that'd be cool too obviously.

I'm not sure, this is the right attitude.
For an idea to succeed, it's all about commitment and execution. The days, that an online project could take off by mere "chance", are long gone...!


Thus:

1) Write a solid business plan
2) Show your track record / business skills
3) Indicate your personal availability and commitment to the project.

With the above well presented, you should be able to to approach some developers that might take interest in realizing your ideas.
I for once, might be interested to receive a PM from you..

But be warned, if you don't have the financial means, you should at least have the confidence, to make a real time commitment in order for your idea to succeed. Only then, a developer might be interested to invest his or her time for the prospect of future returns....

I 100% agree with "^^vampire^^". Me too "I've taken on some amazing projects, built them and now they are sitting there with no marketing happening whatsoever. "... Me too, "I made sure I got paid for them" upfront...

But if your idea sparks mutual interest, and the above requirements are in order, who knows, perhaps we would come to some sort of agreement!

 

[noob_saibot]

Unfortunately ideas are worth nothing.

^ This.

Saor:

You could just tell us your idea and somebody that lives on the internet will find you a similar product/service.

If you have a grand idea for something social/music/entertainment(even porn) don't waste your time in those markets.

SA is a miniscule online market and we don't have 60-70 million well-earning first-world people to run ads to.

Hopefully it's something you can sell (like wordpress themes?).

Also, you aren't obliged to disclose anything, just realize that if you can't patent it, somebody else is probably already doing it.

 

[saor]

Forum needs a 'Thanks' button . Appreciate all the replies. Been thinking about it and I realize that it's not an idea which started with any intention of making money - it's just something I wanted to do that I thought might be cool. If I think further down the line I can imagine how it might make money, but tbh that's not what my intention is - and so I'd rather not start it as such, and I'd probably struggle trying to pitch it as a business idea with a business plan.

I think I'll maybe fire off a pm to some of the people that sent me a pm and ask them how much work it would entail, the cost etc. and maybe just save up a bit and see if I can pay someone to do it, because I'd feel like a douche making promises of shares in a thing that I'm not doing to make money .

 

[^^vampire^^]

Forum needs a 'Thanks' button . Appreciate all the replies. Been thinking about it and I realize that it's not an idea which started with any intention of making money - it's just something I wanted to do that I thought might be cool. If I think further down the line I can imagine how it might make money, but tbh that's not what my intention is - and so I'd rather not start it as such, and I'd probably struggle trying to pitch it as a business idea with a business plan.

I think I'll maybe fire off a pm to some of the people that sent me a pm and ask them how much work it would entail, the cost etc. and maybe just save up a bit and see if I can pay someone to do it, because I'd feel like a douche making promises of shares in a thing that I'm not doing to make money .

Yay! First realist in this department to ever hit the internet!

 

[aybbleek]

Forum needs a 'Thanks' button . Appreciate all the replies. Been thinking about it and I realize that it's not an idea which started with any intention of making money - it's just something I wanted to do that I thought might be cool. If I think further down the line I can imagine how it might make money, but tbh that's not what my intention is - and so I'd rather not start it as such, and I'd probably struggle trying to pitch it as a business idea with a business plan.

I think I'll maybe fire off a pm to some of the people that sent me a pm and ask them how much work it would entail, the cost etc. and maybe just save up a bit and see if I can pay someone to do it, because I'd feel like a douche making promises of shares in a thing that I'm not doing to make money .

Hit me up with a PM, might be able to help