How do you make a startup without faking it?

[Naiiz]

Connecting two parties (people + places) as a startup lacks both first as you just started. You want to show you exist but need to collect both so your website is not empty.

How do you convince people you're real and not „fake“, „imposter“, „fraud“, or even a „lier“ so they don't feel betrayed?

[jakejake]

You can create a placeholder site that explains your idea and see if you can get people to sign up to be on your announcement and/or beta list.

That will also tell you if your idea is any good - if you can convince people to sign up.

[Naiiz]

Thank you jakejake. I have the feeling that people more and more want an already well executed MVP instead of a placeholder site explaining the idea and ask them to sign up.

What about feedback like:

"I'm personally getting sick of websites that have a button that says it'll do one thing, but instead I get redirected to give my information to someone I don't know or trust. No thanks."

The person felt offended because of being asked to enter information, information that was necessary to provide what the person was looking for, hence he pressed the button in the first place.

So, the person doesn't trust or know the business or service but the service needs that information to provide what the person is looking for.

A chicken-egg problem, it feels. Or a matter of communication it well?

[jakejake]

I think the only way really to make it work is by having a private "beta" invites or the placeholder or something so that you can build some excitement and get people signed up. Because if your app requires a lot of data (i.e. people) before it becomes useful, then you can't really turn it on with like 5 users!

It is a very tough problem. I might look to other sites and try to see what they have done. Ello for example is one recent site. Perhaps there is a way to partner with an existing service. You will have to get creative to get past the chicken/egg problem. I wish you success!

[Naiiz]

That's a good idea with the private beta. Yet, even with a small amount of people we can do our service of connecting already - it's more manual work though for now.

Yes, we're working on it to get creative with that challenge, like with all the other challenges ;)

Thanks a lot for your words, jakejake. Very much appreciated! :)

[sharemywin]

You need to get past a mental block. If you want to go forward. You not looking for the 99%. There are roughly 300 million people in US. if you want to create a business that does $100 million/yr. You only need to collect $2.8/mo from 1% of the population. So, if 99 out of 100 people think your idea is the dumbest idea ever but 1 person thinks it's the best idea ever you may be on to something.

[Naiiz]

Thanks sharemywin, I'll work on my mental block. I like your advice and will aim for this 1% and make them strong ambassadors. gracias :)