New business idea - don't know how to get it done?

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

I have a brilliant idea (I think so anyway) and I need to get it built on computer, system worked out and developed, marketed and put out there.

I have no idea where to start or how to go about it.

Any advice would be brilliant

 

[LowPrices.uk]

Do some market research first, to establish whether people will really pay for your new idea. Ask people whether they would pay, whether its compelling enough for them to part with money.

That's the first step.

 

[MOIC]

Can you give us a little clue as to your idea, so we can make some informed suggestions, how to help you?

A little clue?

 

[gregs2769]

You need to discuss your ideas and plans with a developer (like us) and they will tell you everything you need to know as well as costs.

 

[The Byre]

Is this the Nicki Minaj hologram idea?

If it is, put me down for two!

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

As for details it is based around recording sound & video but storing with a filing system online.....

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

So it's a web application, bit a computer one?

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

Yes was thinking app based for PCs and phone

 

[The Byre]

As for details it is based around recording sound & video but storing with a filing system online.....

Are you aware of the existing products from Avid, Sony, Adobe, Apple and others?

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

Yes but this is a specific industry based app that is designed around exact requirements.

The others are very broad spec and don't do what is required.

 

[The Byre]

Which industry - sports?

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

The industry is not relevant I just need a point in the right direction in how to go from set up to market

 

[The Byre]

Is this just an iPhon app, or are talking AV software?

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

iPhone & android app and need it to be able to download on pc as well

 

[garyk]

I would find out whats in the market first and then try and gauge demand first.

No point building a solution to a non-existent problem.

 

[The Byre]

I keep asking these questions, because it all depends on how much you want your app to be able to do. Most funky AV programmes are written in C++ and iPhones use Objective-C, so you'll need a programmer who can write both.

To give you some idea of the scale of a full-blown AV programme, one guy I know has spent ten years developing a programme that does both audio and video editing - and he and his team are possibly the best C++ programmers on Planet Earth! The new version of that programme launches this year. Until now, it was audio only and it will take another couple of years for the video side of things to be up to Final Cut/Vegas/Media Composer/Premier standard.

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

Thanks The Byre appreciate your input. The development side is somewhere I am a bit lost in. I have been told that Odesk is a good place to find contractors and as long as they sign a confidentiality agreement im covered but am not so sure!

garyk, have checked the market and its screaming out for it. I have the possibilitry of 2 contracts if it can get it developed and made........ just don't know how to get it from my head to a real thing!

 

[garyk]

OK as an objectiveC/app dev (well used to don't really do it now) I will try and give you some steer.

Again I come back to demand, what in-depth research have you carried out to identify a need?

I used to get told all the time 'I've got a great idea for an app and theres nothing like it', 10 minutes on google and I would normally find not 1, but 2 or 3 existing solutions out there.Now there is nothing wrong with competition but it may make it harder.

Do not underestimate the size of the app store. It is *massive*. Its so big now that 83% of all apps are 'zombies'. Not seen or downloaded. Out of 1.42 million apps that is 1.17 million(!!!!) apps that are effectively dead.

You need a big audience you can push this out to (50-100,000 eyeballs) or a big marketing budget. Supercell, makers of clash of clans were spending $1M, yes thats 1 MILLION DOLLARS, per day(!) on advertising.

NDAs/CAs complete waste of time. It would cost you time and money to fight the competition.

OK with the negatives out of the way, the practical stuff:

Mock-ups, easy enough to do with something like balsamiq or go to keynotopia who do free templates for powerpoint so you can 'wire-frame' the idea.

Hiring a dev. Yes odesk can work for you. You can filter potential candidates.Here are my criteria:

Main skill must match my requirement: so if I want an ObjC dev when I search I want to see that listed as their primary skill. Not someone who does java/mysql and objc is tagged on the end
Must have been active in the last 6 months
Must have billed at least 100 hours
Must have english level at least 4/5
Feedback must be at least 4/5
Finally in the spec. I will put right in the middle 'quote the word eureka when replying' because if they don't means they haven't read the spec!

Price wise go middle of the road, $30+ maybe a little high for you but the guys at $10 and below is probably too cheap.

Personally I would just wire frame it, get yourself to london and meetups on the startup scene, especially dont pitch me bro run by the 3beards. Yes it means sharing your idea but you need to get over that whole 'keep everything under lock and key' mentality. You *have* to get feedback and the earlier you do you can either bin it and start something else, or as they say in startup land 'pivot' and slightly alter what you already have.

Good luck!

 

[ScottMallonSportsCoaching]

Thank you Garyk really appreciate your advice. I will get cracking straight away