Why starting a competing service?
Marianne Métairie
5 replies
Hi there! 👋🏻 I need your opinion on something.
Let's say you have a great idea that can change the way people do a specific thing (let's take the example of watching TV...). A similar service already exists(ed) but just been bought by Apple.
Apple is a giant but I am sure that my idea can bring a "little something" more.
Should I keep going with my idea or should I give up and find something else?
Replies
Ryan Hoover@rrhoover
Product Hunt
There's a lot to learn from past successes and failures, but I would be cautious in letting any past or current competitors shape your vision too strongly. This is especially important in the early stages of a new product or company.
So in general, I'd say go for it! :)
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I am sure there are people who are dissatisfied with the current solution. Your a "little something" can be an alternative.
In other words, you can always find your target audience and make them happy with your product
You should totally go for it, worst case scenario you will learn a thing or two from it and can apply it anywhere.
I absolutely believe it is possible to create the "extra edge". I was in a similar situation and decided to go for it. But, one word of advise: It is is VERY easy to significantly underestimate the effort of getting that extra edge to work.
It will totally depend on your service, but from my experience it was like 20% of effort to get a decent working version and 80% of efforts to get (closer to) the extra edge. Maybe just be prepared for a bit of "extra" hardship and frustration.
Nevertheless, the learning curve of launching your own company or product is simply something no one can teach you as theory - and something I personally would never want to miss. So this aspect alone might be worth doing it. :)
Absolutely go for it! It took me a while to learn this: Just because someone is #1 doesn't mean you can't be #2.
Working on an idea, especially one proven good by companies like Apple, is always good for a few reason: 1) Apple/Google/Microsoft/etc. aren't the only companies people look at for services. 2) You'll become an expert in the field, if you don't end up making a company, you can probably get a good job. 3) Creating a product, doesn't mean it's the product you'll end up selling, in the process you may come up with a different, better, more needed product, and become a leader in it.