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Once I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a group or funding. Simply an thought: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard picture shoot. At present, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered numerous classes the arduous approach.
Listed here are seven errors I made early on, and what I would do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
At first, my startup provided every little thing: headshots, modeling pictures, pet portraits, fantasy scenes. I figured, if AI may generate it, why not let individuals select?
However once I confirmed it to pals and tried to promote it, no person understood what it was for. Zero conversions. The repair? I centered the product round one clear worth: skilled headshots. That change alone made the product click on with customers, and gross sales adopted. I discovered to be particular and located {that a} clear, centered message converts higher than a broad one.
Begin with a centered, singular use case. The extra apparent the worth, the quicker you may get traction. You’ll be able to at all times increase later, however do not launch vast and imprecise.
2. I underpriced — and it backfired
I began with a $9.99 value level as a result of I did not need to scare individuals away. I frightened that elevating costs would improve refund charges or kill momentum. However that attracted low-intent prospects, elevated refund requests and made the product really feel low cost.
Once I raised the worth, gross sales did not drop — they received higher. Folks handled the product extra severely. Refunds dropped. Income grew.
Take a look at greater pricing sooner than you assume. Pricing sends a sign. For those who’re fixing an actual downside, value with confidence, not concern.
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3. I dealt with every little thing myself for too lengthy
I dealt with help tickets, wrote copy, managed uptime, ran advertisements, pushed code — all in at some point. It wasn’t sustainable. Ultimately, I outsourced key items and purchased again my time. It let me concentrate on technique, product and development.
Do not confuse “solo” with “doing all of it.” Delegate repetitive duties early. Defend your cognitive bandwidth — it is your most beneficial useful resource.
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4. I over-engineered the primary model
I spent months perfecting options earlier than launch, together with ones nobody had requested for. I wished it to look polished and spectacular from day one.
Wanting again, I ought to have launched a less complicated model a lot earlier and formed the product round actual consumer suggestions. The bells and whistles can wait. What issues most is whether or not individuals need what you are constructing within the first place.
Launching lean does not imply decreasing requirements — it means prioritizing readability over complexity. Get a easy model dwell, then iterate. Early customers do not count on perfection — they need progress. Velocity beats polish.
5. I guess an excessive amount of on search engine optimisation, not sufficient on neighborhood
Early on, I employed an search engine optimisation company to create keyword-optimized content material. However most of my precise site visitors got here from Reddit, the place I had been partaking immediately with communities.
That also holds true in the present day. My best-performing site visitors continues to return from natural conversations, not weblog content material. The lesson? Your ideally suited prospects are already hanging out someplace. Discover them, present up authentically, and concentrate on what’s truly driving outcomes, not what’s purported to.
Go the place your customers already hang around. Be helpful in these areas. Authenticity scales higher than search engine optimisation methods, particularly early on.
6. I underestimated how briskly AI evolves
Even after spending a yr immersed in generative AI, I used to be nonetheless caught off guard by how briskly issues moved as soon as I launched. What felt groundbreaking one month felt outdated the following.
It is thrilling, however it’s additionally exhausting. Making an attempt to maintain up with each new growth is a recipe for burnout.
As an alternative of chasing traits, I’ve discovered to construct round steady, lasting worth. Maintaining issues — however not on the expense of your sanity or technique.
Begin easy — study quick
For those who’re a solo founder in AI, this is my recommendation: Do not attempt to create demand from scratch. Discover an underserved viewers, meet a transparent want and launch quick. Do not fall in love along with your imaginative and prescient. Fall in love with fixing issues.
You need not get all of it proper — simply get it on the market, study and maintain going.
Once I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a group or funding. Simply an thought: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard picture shoot. At present, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered numerous classes the arduous approach.
Listed here are seven errors I made early on, and what I would do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
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