Hacker News Reader

Comment by jsnk | Hacker News Reader

I have a side project (dmtri.com). It lacks active users right now. I don't mind not having too many registered users as the website doesn't require you to sign up. I just wish that people would visit more and write more. Obviously the problem is that there isn't much going on actively on the site.

However, I detest the thought of spamming every facebook groups and such. I tried organically growing by writing really good content (http://dmtri.com/posts/28/alexis_ohanian_-_%22i_don%27t_regr...), but that in itself is a problem because I have to get visitors for that.

I worked hard on the project but I feel a bit discouraged by lack of interest so far.

View on HN

The real problem is I'm not quite sure what you're offering that hasn't been done a million times before.

I'm not trying to be a jerk, I'm being curt. What differentiates dmtri? It looks like just another site to post stuff anonymously. Why would I use it over 4chan or reddit etc etc.

These are things to think about if you want it to take off.

Thanks for the input and thanks for checking it out. I am doing a poor job explaining the core product feature on the website.

People on Reddit create throwaway account for anything they want to disassociate themselves from (controversial stance on politics, science, religion etc). Dmtri has ability to post anonymously whether you are signed up or not. When you are signed up you can either post revealing your username or post anonymously.

4chan is very situational and temporal. Dmtri is not like that. Content stays on the site.

As someone with several side projects, I feel your pain.

You probably need to make the site appear more active, until there's enough interesting content to keep visitors there a while and encourage them to post.

bro hug

Ya, you are right. There's no silver bullet to user acquisition i think. I do spend time writing on the site hoping to have some readers.

if you believe in your product and think there's a need than why would you consider it spam?

I would report your facebook posts as abuse if I saw them on my newsfeed, most likely. "I joined a bunch of groups so I could advertise to them." Scummy.

Not all advertisement is scummy.

You could easily change the tone here. "I joined a bunch of very specific types of groups so I could manually write a post that tells them about a free app that I built for their demographic."

I felt the "scum" right away, but then I thought about the source of the feeling. Scummy is when you write bait. Telling people about your app - sometimes that requires a door to door cold call.

I think this app deserved to be shared with that group, and it's particularly un-scummy considering the fact that it's brand new, free, and isn't trying to mine for email addys.

thank you! took the words right out of my mouth

The groups he sent to are quite likely to actually use and enjoy the app.

Many others might whether you believe in the product or not though. I guess I am looking for less intrusive and disruptive way to acquire user, but the downside to this is that it is way harder to gain users. But I think your facebook group selection was smart. A lot of freshmen would like this app.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com