Or you could create a startup in a space where being internet famous doesn't matter. And you probably should.
I'm finding it difficult but seeing rays of light. My project (http://www.thetaboard.com) is just getting of the ground (still an MVP) and getting visitors is tough. Luckily my product is something HN readers might actually buy so I get more value than most out of HN posts. I've had a couple make the frontpage and had some (free) signups from it.
The author makes some great points and I'm defintely going to try some of their ideas for creating organic search traffic.
If Notch launched a startup in a space where no-one knows or cares who Notch is, he'd have no advantage from his fame. Of course he shouldn't, that would mean giving up an advantage. But that means you or I can enter that area on a more level playing field.
The world of startups is much larger than the tiny slice of the world that cares about internet fame, and much more varied than your social circle (e.g. HN).
I think the author does make good points, but framing the whole thing as if not being internet famous is a disadvantage shows a very distorted view of startups.
Having no professional network, no twitter followers, no blog audience is starting from zero. The author is saying that launching a startup from this position is more difficult than it would otherwise be.
Of course it can be done or we wouldn't be here. It's just harder. The author was telling how.
Don't worry about how un-famous you are. Put that energy into building something that makes you famous.
> Luckily my product is something HN readers might actually buy
You're right, the only problem is we have project management web app fatigue.
AKA, PMWAF. I am a dire sufferer of pimmwaff.
Help me by making certain that on the landing page, I see what's good or different about your product. Explain to me what makes it special.
At least make the demo do this, if not the frontpage copy.
In that case they need to find ways to reach out to users and early adopters without relying on their celebrity in that field.
Thus being able to generate intrest organically from people who really need what you have to offer - even if the volume of interest is initially low - is an important skill to know.