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  2. Launching as a bootstrapped and/or solo maker?

Launching as a bootstrapped and/or solo maker?

Graeme
5 replies
I always loved watching the solo and bootstrapped makers launching here on PH. From back when I started here, that was the part of the community I loved most..but we are always competing with funded projects and huge teams here. So it's not always been a level playing field, as the venture backed products have teams and networks to pump their launches! Sometimes that becomes a bit spammy too. I noticed here there are nice changes to counter this and support the indie part of the community - with filters on the homepage specifically to help discover bootstrapped and solo launches.. and then there was also maker grants! So as an indie product, what are your thoughts on this? - What do you think of how the platform has changed over the years, and the support towards bootstrapped makers? -Are there any ways you support indie products, and do you think it's important? - Any tips for getting the word out as an indie team or solo founder? thanks for the thoughts and good luck!

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John Rush
Index Rusher
Index Rusher
I would not rely on extrenal forces. It's not just PH problem, It's everywhere: hackernoon, hackernew, indiehackers, dev.to and pretty much everywhere. The game these days is simple: the one with most network or money wins. Those with money simply pay for PR and media, Those with netowork, support each other. Often those with money have easier access to network. For example I often see how VCs repost PH launches of their startups, Often the VCs have high number of followers or run newsletter and similar. I don't think any of it is bad, It's free market, everyone plays on an even field. But indie makers, bootstrappers, and solo makers should realize, that the only way to be in the game is to play by the rules. This means we need to form coalitions within. We already see this happening, Some makers play in groups of 5-10, They support each other launches and basically their total followers sum up for each. But I think this is not zero sum game, We can get to a place where all indie makers win, and we simply eat the piece of the cake that was there for VC backed startups and corporates. Answering your questions: yes, I think this is important. If not done, indie world will die out as we know it. It's happening already, lots of micro saas and tools from vercel, replit, YC mafia are entering the space, and many others. Conclusion: indie hacker must unite. This is the only solution. We can actually unite and all get richer. Because we will beat VC backed startups and gain theire revenues and users into the indie world. If today indie world total MRR is lets say $100M, some random good startup alone has this. We can grow this to $10B, 100x!!! Think of it this way. We must stop seeing each other as competitors, but see as allies, fighting against VC funded startups.
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John Rush
Index Rusher
Index Rusher
@marckohlbrugge @graeme_fulton thx, joined the wip.co, looks cool
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Graeme
Prototypr
@johnrushx wow that's an epic answer John, I love your optimism around the growth of the indie world 🚀 I think a lot of us can resonate, e.g. I've found the [WIP community](https://wip.co) awesome for meeting other makers. I think @marckohlbrugge has done awesome over there - you can add your producthunt link when you launch, and your it gets pinned to the homepage for the day for more people to see There's probably plenty space for more platforms like that that really focus on connecting bootstrappers so we can work together!
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André J
@johnrushx I think the most important feature PH implemented to give the small guy/gal a chance was streaks. People come everyday, but try to find a project they like. I try to give my vote to projects that smell of authenticity.
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Kunal Mehta
Mentor.AI
We believe in launching as a bootstrapped startup to maintain control and flexibility in our edtech application's development. Being a solo maker allows us to make quick decisions and stay focused on our vision while minimizing external influence. This approach fosters innovation and ensures the app's offerings align closely with our users' needs.
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