Comments on: The Day the MicroISV Movement Died http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/ Musings on software and startups from a single founder Fri, 27 Aug 2010 22:31:37 -0400 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Mike Taber http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/comment-page-1/#comment-1088 Mike Taber Tue, 08 Dec 2009 02:12:59 +0000 http://www.singlefounder.com/?p=491#comment-1088 Steve, I understand what you're saying but if you let fear of the popularity of your product get in the way, then by that logic you shouldn't build anything except the stuff you know is going to fail. I think what you will find in reality is that people are going to tolerate anything that is halfway decent and solves their problem, whatever that might be. So long as you're working on it, the users are going to understand. They might not like the fact that you're only putting in 10 hours each week, but they don't really have a choice, do they? My post was mostly aimed at those people who looked at the MicroISV and think that it's a lost cause or that it can't be done. If you look here, you'll find that MicroISV's can and do succeed. It's just a matter of pursuing the dream. http://www.softwarebyrob.com/micropreneur-academy-product-showcase/ Steve, I understand what you’re saying but if you let fear of the popularity of your product get in the way, then by that logic you shouldn’t build anything except the stuff you know is going to fail.

I think what you will find in reality is that people are going to tolerate anything that is halfway decent and solves their problem, whatever that might be. So long as you’re working on it, the users are going to understand. They might not like the fact that you’re only putting in 10 hours each week, but they don’t really have a choice, do they?

My post was mostly aimed at those people who looked at the MicroISV and think that it’s a lost cause or that it can’t be done. If you look here, you’ll find that MicroISV’s can and do succeed. It’s just a matter of pursuing the dream. http://www.softwarebyrob.com/micropreneur-academy-product-showcase/

]]> By: Steve Wortham http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/comment-page-1/#comment-1087 Steve Wortham Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:52:59 +0000 http://www.singlefounder.com/?p=491#comment-1087 Eric's lack of success with his venture never phased me. Like you said, games are a tough market. You need a great idea and execution to be successful in that industry. To me the whole approach of a Micro-ISV is a little different. I guess I won't speak for anyone else, but I have product ideas that I'm afraid of. In other words, one idea in particular has the potential to become very popular but I'm afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep up with the support demands. I base that off of the potential number of customers combined with the nature of the application. This isn't a problem for a small or medium-size company who's fully prepared and equipped to hire new people to keep up with demand. But I'm not set out to create the next Google or grow into a multi-billion dollar corporation, if you know what I mean. I just want to make a living. I'm sure there are other Micro-ISV owners who think the same way. So for me I tend to look for a small niche to fill that I'm passionate about, and then I do it the best I can. From what I've seen before, this type of approach can result in a tiny but sustainable software company that does one or two things extremely well. And there's no reason this Micro-ISV lifestyle can't continue to thrive. Eric’s lack of success with his venture never phased me. Like you said, games are a tough market. You need a great idea and execution to be successful in that industry.

To me the whole approach of a Micro-ISV is a little different. I guess I won’t speak for anyone else, but I have product ideas that I’m afraid of. In other words, one idea in particular has the potential to become very popular but I’m afraid that I wouldn’t be able to keep up with the support demands. I base that off of the potential number of customers combined with the nature of the application. This isn’t a problem for a small or medium-size company who’s fully prepared and equipped to hire new people to keep up with demand.

But I’m not set out to create the next Google or grow into a multi-billion dollar corporation, if you know what I mean. I just want to make a living. I’m sure there are other Micro-ISV owners who think the same way. So for me I tend to look for a small niche to fill that I’m passionate about, and then I do it the best I can. From what I’ve seen before, this type of approach can result in a tiny but sustainable software company that does one or two things extremely well. And there’s no reason this Micro-ISV lifestyle can’t continue to thrive.

]]> By: Dave Rodenbaugh http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/comment-page-1/#comment-1040 Dave Rodenbaugh Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:18:08 +0000 http://www.singlefounder.com/?p=491#comment-1040 Awesome article. Now I know who to send the bouquet of black roses to. :) No, seriously...it's time to learn what it takes to make the MicroISV into something worth talking about, instead of something big-name bloggers just shaking their heads over. Awesome article. Now I know who to send the bouquet of black roses to. :) No, seriously…it’s time to learn what it takes to make the MicroISV into something worth talking about, instead of something big-name bloggers just shaking their heads over.

]]> By: uberVU - social comments http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/comment-page-1/#comment-1039 uberVU - social comments Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:14:12 +0000 http://www.singlefounder.com/?p=491#comment-1039 <strong>Social comments and analytics for this post...</strong> This post was mentioned on Twitter by SingleFounder: "The Day the MicroISV Movement Died" http://bit.ly/jIUcd... Social comments and analytics for this post…

This post was mentioned on Twitter by SingleFounder: “The Day the MicroISV Movement Died” http://bit.ly/jIUcd…

]]> By: Rob Walling http://www.singlefounder.com/2009/11/17/the-day-the-microisv-movement-died/comment-page-1/#comment-1038 Rob Walling Fri, 20 Nov 2009 17:24:14 +0000 http://www.singlefounder.com/?p=491#comment-1038 Great post; hit the nail on the head. I, for one, see the MicroISV/small bootstrapped software startup movement as very much alive, just not in the public eye like "sexy" VC-backed startups. VC-backed startups make great reality TV, MicroISVs and small bootstrapped startups make great businesses. Great post; hit the nail on the head. I, for one, see the MicroISV/small bootstrapped software startup movement as very much alive, just not in the public eye like “sexy” VC-backed startups.

VC-backed startups make great reality TV, MicroISVs and small bootstrapped startups make great businesses.

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