Ask HN: As a small development team, how do you get projects?

4 pointsralala9y ago5 comments

We are a small development team and are doing mostly individual web- and mobile projects for our customers. We often have some resources left and are now thinking about how we can improve our sales process. Currently most leads come from our website (+adwords) and recommendations.

Is anyone in a similar position and could share some experience and tips? What do you think about external sales agencys?

We do all have CS degrees and experience in many technologies (python, php, java ee, react, react native, native android/ios, bluetooth, bluetooth, just to name a few), maths and algorithms, and also UX-design (including eye-tracking, prototyping etc.). Would you focus the sales effort on a specific direction (e.g. only mobile) or spread it on everything we can offer?

4 pointsralala9y ago5 comments

Is anyone in a similar position and could share some experience and tips? What do you think about external sales agencys?

5 comments

5 comments · 2 top-level

eyan9y ago· 3 in thread

I'm on the same boat. Strengthening my network at the moment. I don't know exactly how to move forward as well. I'm in the Philippines.

For inspiration, I'm reading this again and again: https://www.winwithoutpitching.com/the-manifesto/

ralalaOP9y ago

Yeah, networking is very important. Are you doing this in a structured way, i.e. going to specific local events? Are you focussing on local customers or world-wide?

eyan9y ago

Not doing it in a structured way. Catching up with friends in the industry. Mostly over coffee. Local customers.

inimino9y ago

For a start, you might want to put an email address in your profile.

brudgers9y ago

Get on the phone and call past clients and ask if they have any new work. Ask if they know of anybody who might need work. Cold call other businesses in the same business community as past clients. Cold call companies that you might want to work for.

In short, start working on sales because sales is often harder than the technical work. It is often harder because taking rejection is harder than fixing a bug.

Good luck.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse