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After I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a workforce or funding. Simply an concept: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a conventional photograph shoot. In the present day, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered lots of classes the arduous means.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I might do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
At first, my startup supplied the whole lot: headshots, modeling pictures, pet portraits, fantasy scenes. I figured, if AI may generate it, why not let individuals select?
However after I confirmed it to pals and tried to promote it, no one understood what it was for. Zero conversions. The repair? I centered 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, centered message converts higher than a broad one.
Begin with a centered, singular use case. The extra apparent the worth, the quicker you will get traction. You’ll be able to at all times increase later, however do not launch vast 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 individuals away. I apprehensive that elevating costs would enhance 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. Folks handled the product extra severely. Refunds dropped. Income grew.
Take a look at larger pricing sooner than you assume. Pricing sends a sign. In the event you’re fixing an actual downside, value with confidence, not worry.
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3. I dealt with the whole lot 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 deal with technique, product and progress.
Do not confuse “solo” with “doing all of it.” Delegate repetitive duties early. Defend your cognitive bandwidth — it is your most respected 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 wished it to look polished and spectacular from day one.
Trying again, I ought to have launched a less complicated model a lot earlier and formed the product round actual consumer suggestions. The bells and whistles can wait. What issues most is whether or not individuals need what you are constructing within the first place.
Launching lean doesn’t suggest decreasing requirements — it means prioritizing readability over complexity. Get a easy model reside, then iterate. Early customers do not anticipate perfection — they need progress. Pace beats polish.
5. I guess an excessive amount of on search engine marketing, not sufficient on group
Early on, I employed an search engine marketing company to create keyword-optimized content material. However most of my precise visitors got here from Reddit, the place I had been participating straight with communities.
That also holds true at the moment. My best-performing visitors continues to come back from natural conversations, not weblog content material. The lesson? Your preferrred prospects are already hanging out someplace. Discover them, present up authentically, and deal with what’s truly driving outcomes, not what’s imagined to.
Go the place your customers already hang around. Be helpful in these areas. Authenticity scales higher than search engine marketing tips, 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 subsequent.
It is thrilling, but it surely’s additionally exhausting. Making an attempt to maintain up with each new growth is a recipe for burnout.
As an alternative of chasing traits, I’ve discovered to construct round steady, 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 need not get all of it proper — simply get it on the market, be taught and preserve going.
After I launched PhotoPacks.AI, I did not have a workforce or funding. Simply an concept: provide studio-quality headshots, powered by AI, for a fraction of the price of a conventional photograph shoot. In the present day, the product works, and it is rising steadily. However I’ve discovered lots of classes the arduous means.
Listed below are seven errors I made early on, and what I might do otherwise if I needed to begin over.
1. I attempted to construct for everybody, and transformed nobody
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