Ben Orenstein "Predictable Mistakes of the Developer-Turned-Founder" - Laracon US 2023 Nashville

In this insightful talk by Ben Orenstein, titled "Predictable Mistakes of the Developer-Turned-Founder", Ben addresses the common challenges faced by developers transitioning into the role of a founder. Drawing from his own experiences and expertise, he highlights predictable pitfalls that many developers encounter when taking on entrepreneurial endeavors. Through candid discussions and real-world examples, Orenstein offers valuable advice on how to navigate these challenges, make informed decisions, and foster a successful transition into the world of entrepreneurship.
Whether you are an aspiring founder or a seasoned developer contemplating the leap, this talk provides invaluable insights to help you navigate the path to startup success.
Recorded Live at Marathon Music Works on July 19th, 2023.

[@FastTypingGuy]

Ben is a legend. I've learned so much from him. It's great to have people like him sharing their knowledge.

[@dominuskelvin]

This is a gem for indie makers especially now I’m working on my next product. Thank you Ben

[@-www.chapters.video-]

00:00 Introduction and Confession
03:00 Alternative: Start with something free
05:00 Next Step: Sell a one-time purchase
09:58 Picking a bad idea and the importance of evaluating the quality of an idea
11:35 Finding a good idea using templates and examples
14:30 Selling to businesses instead of consumers and targeting rich businesses
20:49 Validating Ideas and Getting Honest Feedback
22:22 Starting with Validation and Selling Vaporware
24:01 Pricing and Selling to Irrational Customers
25:31 Choosing Customers and Niche Markets
26:01 Collecting Emails and Utilizing Email Marketing
27:41 Avoiding Underpricing and Setting Higher Prices
29:01 Building Only What is Asked For and Avoiding Overbuilding
30:38 Building a network of peers and attending conferences can make the journey more enjoyable.

[@atimney]

Great talk, well delivered

[@matanyadaev7096]

Thanks Ben! Lots of good ideas in such a short talk. Very motivational.

[@AdrianMejias]

He kinda skipped over explaining why emails were important. Can anyone fill in the blank? o_O; 26:21

[@OliverKurmis]

He probably meant email addresses , for newsletters for instance.

[@poplach]

He did mention spikes in the income, whenever newsletters were sent :)

[@rawzey]

it marketing there’s a saying that the money is in the list, meaning your email list
if you don’t collect someone’s email you don’t have an easy way to directly reach out to them (short of having their number)
also if you’re building say an audience on X or Instagram and you don’t try and get some of your follower’s emails, in case that platform bans you/shuts your profile etc for whatever reason, you just lost that audience
an email list is yours
hope that explains it