Ask HN: Finding Users to Talk

7 pointsSStanley6y ago13 comments

I wanted to try an experiment for an app, do you have any difficulties finding user to talk and telling you sincerely what they think of your product/idea ?

13 comments

10 comments · 4 top-level

enhdless6y ago· 2 in thread

If you're showing them designs, sometimes it helps to lie and say that you weren't the one who made it, so other people don't feel bad about criticizing it.

You can post an anonymous survey on Reddit or specific Facebook groups, and have people leave their email if they are open to a follow-up interview.

If you already have a prototype, there are paid online services like UserTesting (https://www.usertesting.com/) where you can specify tasks for users to complete and get verbal feedback.

SStanleyOP6y ago

Good idea to act like it's not for you, I will try this ^^

Thinks for the link, I looked at usertesting but it seem for bigger company base on the price

glaucon6y ago

I don't know if you meant this literally but I couldn't find any mention of price ( just the "contact for trial" language which usually translates as "a lot").

Did you find any explicit mention of pricing ?

1 more reply

davidajackson6y ago· 2 in thread

No just make sure you don't ask only friends or family. Sometimes they'll tell you want they want you to hear. Post on reddit, startup school etc. and people will give good feedback on the idea. If you can Google the problem and people come up asking for solutions to it that's usually a good sign.

SStanleyOP6y ago

Thinks for your answer.

Basicaly I'm currently want to ask to more that friends or family for that reason.

They will probably respond on forum but how do I know they are potentiel users ? And how can I continue the conversation, having feedback for each release ?

davidajackson6y ago

Ask them for feedback or their email, or just float the idea past people in a post. If they readily want to join a waitlist or check it out usually people will comment. Then it's up to you to create enough of a good UI and product etc. that when you send them a link they actually want to use it. Otherwise rely solely on comments/feedback. Here's an example thread where I did this:

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/d0xp35/i_made_...

>> continuing conversation/building relationships

When they ask for a feature, build it immediately if it seems like something smart to build. They will think you are a god because people are used to crappy customer service where they don't even get a response for days. So instead of waiting days to respond, build the features in a few days and respond that you built the feature. Then ask them nicely for a review and you will get 5 stars.

> feedback for each release

Ping the people who you know are power users. Also email every single new signup and ask how they like it.

Happy to provide personal feedback on your idea here too.

1 more reply

brittpart_6y ago· 1 in thread

Go in with an open mind and say "please tell me everything you hate about this product" and if they're shy keep poking. Could this be better? Is this easy to do? Would you naturally think this sequence would happen?

Don't preface it as "feedback" preface it as, what don't you like about this?

SStanleyOP6y ago

This is one of the most underrated and promiscuous thing I've heard ! Thinks! I'm gonna try it

the_resistence6y ago· 1 in thread

Read the book Mom Test. It is the standard reference for user or prospective surveys.

SStanleyOP6y ago

Yes I heard about it, it will soon give it a try, are they talking about where to find user ?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

13 comments

10 comments · 4 top-level

enhdless6y ago· 2 in thread

If you're showing them designs, sometimes it helps to lie and say that you weren't the one who made it, so other people don't feel bad about criticizing it.

You can post an anonymous survey on Reddit or specific Facebook groups, and have people leave their email if they are open to a follow-up interview.

If you already have a prototype, there are paid online services like UserTesting (https://www.usertesting.com/) where you can specify tasks for users to complete and get verbal feedback.

SStanleyOP6y ago

Good idea to act like it's not for you, I will try this ^^

Thinks for the link, I looked at usertesting but it seem for bigger company base on the price

glaucon6y ago

I don't know if you meant this literally but I couldn't find any mention of price ( just the "contact for trial" language which usually translates as "a lot").

Did you find any explicit mention of pricing ?

1 more reply

davidajackson6y ago· 2 in thread

SStanleyOP6y ago

Thinks for your answer.

Basicaly I'm currently want to ask to more that friends or family for that reason.

They will probably respond on forum but how do I know they are potentiel users ? And how can I continue the conversation, having feedback for each release ?

davidajackson6y ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/SideProject/comments/d0xp35/i_made_...

>> continuing conversation/building relationships

> feedback for each release

Ping the people who you know are power users. Also email every single new signup and ask how they like it.

Happy to provide personal feedback on your idea here too.

1 more reply

brittpart_6y ago· 1 in thread

Don't preface it as "feedback" preface it as, what don't you like about this?

SStanleyOP6y ago

This is one of the most underrated and promiscuous thing I've heard ! Thinks! I'm gonna try it

the_resistence6y ago· 1 in thread

Read the book Mom Test. It is the standard reference for user or prospective surveys.

SStanleyOP6y ago

Yes I heard about it, it will soon give it a try, are they talking about where to find user ?

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse