When one builds a Product Hunt (PH) alternative, one needs to remember that PH succeeded because of Ryan Hoover. Just as with any new Startup App/Website of that time, it was not fancy, interesting or likable at all. Ryan’s shouts, marketing, and his everything everywhere all at once presence made PH. When I think of PH, I remember his avatar (profile picture); that 'P' reminds me more of Pinterest than PH.
PH is a successful directory-listing-ish website, there is always a limit to its success. Ryan, being a super smart founder, realizes that and moves out at the perfect time at its super-high hype cycle.
All PH-esque clones can focus on specific niches and become good lifestyle businesses. Like other business ideas, shred apart Craigslist and build PH of them.
Discovery plays are usually a tarpit idea though. Supply of founders high. Supply of customers low.
It is the equivalent of queuing up for an X-factor (or whatever they call it these days) audition, aiming to be the next One Direction. Someone will win of course which makes it seem possible.
Find the short queues! If someone says "why the fuck you interested in that" it might be a good sign.
In the case of my suggestion, it is not to win, more of a play to be present and seen. Monetize via endorsement (paid listings) or ads. If you have like 10s of them, less than 10% have to attract just above average to be self-sustaining.
Appreciate that. :)
We also entered the market at the right time. 2013 was very optimistic as mobile hit mainstream and barriers to build lowered. We’re entering a similar phase with AI today.
If I remember correctly it started as an email list too, like Craig's list, before it needed a site.
It started out on a service called Linkydink https://medium.com/@rrhoover/the-wisdom-of-the-20-minute-sta...
Holy D*n. I think you are correct, and I was one of the early subscribers subscribed via Twitter Login (only option or something like that).
Holy Dickin'?
`D x n` multi-dimensionality reference?