Ask HN: I need your advice! | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: I need your advice!

3 pointsfaisalkhalid7 comments

Along with my 2 co-founders, I run a startup called ResearchNation.net, which provides user generated reviews for business intelligence reports (like a TripAdvisor, for Datamonitor, Euromonitor reports).

The problem is, after almost 9 months, we're still getting zero traction. I mean, literally zero.

We don't have any reviews. I'm not entirely sure what to do. My overall assessment is that it's a good idea (real problem to be solved - gauging quality) but we're not sure we can solve it on our own. The 2 partners that could help us solve this problem are publishers and resellers; the former hate us (already gotten 1 hate phone call) and the latter see us as competition. So, basically, left to our own devices, we are stuck. And out of cash now.

Frankly, we're open to pivoting to a completely new idea, and our site lends itself well to becoming an 'Airbnb' of x (not in its present state, because we've hidden a lot of stuff we built originally, but you can take my word on it!).

So here's my question - what ideas do you have for things we could morph into? i.e. Airbnb for 'x'? Or, do you think we should just screw it and shut down. I have to admit I do sort of feel that we've now got a solution/platform, and are in search of a problem...

I've had a browse on ResearchNation and I find it confusing. I read your FAQ's page and it was still hard to understand the use-cases.

Is it the reviews of the reports that your selling? I can't imagine a passionate user base for either side of the transaction - and with social sites you need one group of people to drive the site forward (either supply or demand)

What kind of reviews are they meant to be? Voicing their own opinion or rating the report?

As for the hate calls from the publishers, was it nonsense ranting or were they very specific about why they were angry? Seems you touched a nerve that maybe worth listening to. It's passionate feedback all the same!

If you're convinced you need to pivot, go towards a marketplace you are interested & excited in & would use yourselves frequently.

Airbnb style companies sell things people have to 'spare'. e.g space to crash on the floor, gig tickets, hours for errands, space in the car on a long journey.

Find a demand and then build a system based on housing the supply.

There are so many potential routes. It all depends on what you're interested in.

Perhaps something along the lines of people selling spare seats at their dinner table (is that a bit weird?)

i.e we're having spaghetti thursday - 2 free spaces $10 each.

Other potential ideas

1. Flash sale on discount meals available at restaurants. 2. Last minute surplus seating at sports events, theatres & movies. 3. Holidays, travel tickets that people want to sell,

Anything at the crossroads of convenience and big savings is sure to be a winner.

Let us know what you decide upon!

The idea isn't so bad but your copy or communication is really bad. Your tag-line doesn't make sense. "We provide reviews for tech reports." - Why would I want a review for a tech report? Even the clicking on an example wasn't really enlightening. E.g. Finance. There is no attached chart...

"The 2 partners that could help us solve this problem are publishers and resellers"

Looks like you may have built a product without talking to your target market.

Look at different markets. Definitely talk to people in other markets.

U could do this for gaertner reports or financial research firms o basically anything. List out 5 markets, find key players and go talk to em. Find markets where u have personal connections.

I use Technology Briefcase - http://www.technologybriefcase.com/ obsessively, and love it.

Edit - suggestions and questions deleted, I failed to do my homework on this one.

Your idea sounds like a corporate version of Slideshare

3 second idea off the top of my head

Offer the same thing but dress it up as monitored distribution? - Put yourself into the position of being a publisher?

Fold'em. You're out of cash. Better to give up now than later.

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