Ask HN: What things which don't scale have you been doing to get customers?

10 points

12 years ago

Doing things which don't scale (http://paulgraham.com/ds.html) is a hot topic again. And rightly so. I think technical founders (speaking as one myself) often learn this lesson the hard way. I was wondering if people would be willing to share the things which don't scale they've been doing to get customers for their startups.

Some ideas to help make this more useful

1. Lead with what you're working on plus a overview of it so we can better understand the techniques you're using.

2. Try to give specifics where possible. "Emailing people signing up to my pre-launch list" is interesting but adding that you do it within X minutes of them signing up, and ask question Y makes it more actionable for others. Do you try to organise skype meetings with them? Are there tools you're using to help with that? etc. etc. etc.

3. Some idea of how successful these techniques have been for you and things you are going to change in future would be good as well.

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