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After I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a crew or funding. Simply an concept: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard picture shoot. Right now, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered lots of classes the arduous manner.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I would do in another way if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
At first, my startup provided every thing: headshots, modeling pictures, pet portraits, fantasy scenes. I figured, if AI may generate it, why not let folks select?
However once I confirmed it to buddies and tried to promote it, no one understood what it was for. Zero conversions. The repair? I targeted 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, targeted message converts higher than a broad one.
Begin with a targeted, singular use case. The extra apparent the worth, the quicker you may get traction. You may at all times broaden later, however do not launch large 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 folks away. I nervous 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.
After I raised the worth, gross sales did not drop — they received higher. Individuals handled the product extra significantly. Refunds dropped. Income grew.
Check increased pricing sooner than you suppose. Pricing sends a sign. In the event you’re fixing an actual drawback, value with confidence, not concern.
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3. I dealt with every thing myself for too lengthy
I dealt with help tickets, wrote copy, managed uptime, ran advertisements, pushed code — all in someday. It wasn’t sustainable. Ultimately, I outsourced key items and acquired 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 needed it to look polished and spectacular from day one.
Wanting again, I ought to have launched an easier model a lot earlier and formed the product round actual person suggestions. The bells and whistles can wait. What issues most is whether or not folks 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 anticipate perfection — they need progress. Velocity beats polish.
5. I guess an excessive amount of on website positioning, not sufficient on group
Early on, I employed an website positioning company to create keyword-optimized content material. However most of my precise visitors got here from Reddit, the place I had been partaking instantly with communities.
That also holds true at present. My best-performing visitors continues to return from natural conversations, not weblog content material. The lesson? Your splendid prospects are already hanging out someplace. Discover them, present up authentically, and concentrate on what’s really driving outcomes, not what’s imagined to.
Go the place your customers already hang around. Be helpful in these areas. Authenticity scales higher than website positioning 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, but it surely’s additionally exhausting. Making an attempt to maintain up with each new improvement is a recipe for burnout.
As an alternative of chasing traits, I’ve discovered to construct round secure, lasting worth. Maintaining issues — however not on the expense of your sanity or technique.
Begin easy — be taught quick
In the event you’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 needn’t get all of it proper — simply get it on the market, be taught and maintain going.
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After I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a crew or funding. Simply an concept: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a standard picture shoot. Right now, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered lots of classes the arduous manner.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I would do in another way if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
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