It is tough for geeks to be relentless about marketing. We're already outside our comfort zone even just beginning to market. Got any tips? I've been following Chris Brogan and get the idea of marketing being about empowering people, but I'm still in the market for advice.
I think you've won half the battle by having a product whose story matches a big need. I'd do two things:
- Read everything patio11 has ever written about Adwords and A/B testing. Contact him with specific questions if necessary. He has the clearest, most detailed info out there for marketing a part time software project into a business
- Consider changing your home page to show, rather than describe, how the use case for your product matches people's lives. Something like Step 1: Upload photos -> Step 2: Mix a drink while your photos are automatically categorized -> Step 3: Go play with your kids while we automatically email your pics to your loved ones.
Your home page doesn't convey just how ideal your product is. Adjectives and testimonials are ignorable because people can lie about them. Take a look at the home pages for Dropbox or the 37s projects - brief statements, demo video, tour pages. You want people to know how to use OurDoings in less than 30 seconds.
I know about OurDoings b/c I've followed you on HN and the OurDoings, and I think the above-the-fold part of your homepage doesn't tell the right story convincingly. But like I said, you're halfway there because your product is perfectly amenable to this kind of demo/tour/story treatment.
Email me at peter at pchristensen dot com if you want to discuss it more.
Do you think it can be done without video? To many, the words "upload photos" imply additional work. Is the slogan "Don't think; just upload" a good one?
The reason I suggested the video is because that's where the bar is for trial products. A tour page, a 30-60 sec video, and a clear pricing page - these are so ubiquitous that it's the language consumers speak.
Also, you should probably go to all the photo sharing sites and make sure you provide at least as clear a pitch and supporting materials as them.
I think "Don't think; just upload" could work. Something like "You send the pictures, we make the albums" would convey the benefits too.
