What do you do if your career as a self-employed product developer is off to a rocky start?

#0: Do a patent search and a google search for your product. #1: Talk with and LISTEN to as many potential users as possible. Document feedback and sort it out. Figure out if your product is actually solving someone's problem. Avoid 'would you' questions. Ask more about their demonstrated behavior and issues. #2: Pitch your idea at as many events as you can. Really Listen. Network network network. #3: Get a minimum viable product in people's hands and don't be afraid to pivot and/or do-over. #4: Surround yourself with people/processes that have done (or similar to) what you are trying to do. #5: Keep contributing.

When your self-employed product development career hits a rough patch, it’s important to take a hard look at where you’re struggling, whether that’s with your product design, finding your market, getting customers, or managing your finances. Talk to peers or mentors to get their take and try to see things from their perspective.

One should never shy away from seeking advice from peers and mentors in product development. Everyone has faced problems in their journeys and has had their own way of dealing with those challenges, working hard to be where they are today. Learning from their experience helps you understand what gaps there may be in your career and why it's not going as planned. Talking to someone who has been in this journey helps you understand aspects from your situation beyond what you may be immediately seeing and find a direction to pursue and meet your goals.

Take a step back and objectively evaluate what aspects of your product development career are causing difficulties. Pinpoint specific challenges hindering your progress. Reach out to potential customers, mentors, or industry professionals for feedback on your product and business approach. Use the feedback received to refine your product or service. Evaluate your business model to ensure it is viable and sustainable, Continuously invest in learning and skill development. Expand your network within your industry and beyond. Stay resilient and adaptable. Establish clear, achievable goals for your product development career. If difficulties persist, consider exploring other avenues within product development or related fields.

Being critical with oneself is fundamental to be able to see the mistakes. Often when things go wrong we always think of external factors, but also assessing the internal ones will help us to have a more global vision and understand the problem better.

If your journey as a self-employed product developer is facing challenges, it's crucial to identify and address the stumbling blocks. Refine your goals into clear, achievable objectives. Break them down into smaller milestones to provide a clearer path to success. Celebrating small victories can boost motivation and keep you on track. Flexibility is also essential; be open to adapting your goals as you gain more insights into the market and your abilities. Additionally, consider seeking mentorship or consulting with industry experts to gain broader perspectives. Remember, perseverance is paramount in overcoming early career hurdles.

Part of the motivation is to celebrate our mistakes because we learn from them in order to make improvements. At the same time celebrate those things that have gone well because each step achieved is a victory. Be aware that if we have feedback on where we can improve the product manufacturing processes, we can provide a grain of motivation to the sectors and improve the quality of work. - In case of not achieving objectives within agreed deadlines, see where the issues are generated and make action plans to prevent them from happening again. - Be open to new changes. - Rely on deadline organization tools. - Post-product team work to evaluate improvement processes. - Request feedback from the client.

Enhancing skills in product development is essential due to rapid industry changes. For example, taking online courses in 3D modeling software like Autodesk Fusion 360 can greatly improve product design capabilities. Engaging in continuous learning through courses and staying updated with industry trends through webinars and workshops is crucial for maintaining relevance and driving innovation in this competitive field.

There are two skill sets I enhanced to take my patented True View blind spot mirror further towards commercialization. Market research and face to face sales. While I had researched and determined the clear need for improved driver side blind spot imaging- per my previous postings- I did not consider the consumer demand for specific size blind spot mirrors. I pitched my 4" diameter manufacturing samples to Advanced Auto parts and they were interested in a 3" diameter model, indicating this size would fit the majority of vehicles their customers own. Having already placed a small production order of 4" diameter models I learned a valuable lesson. Research my prospects specific product needs before going into production!

Starting off with challenges in your career as a self-employed product developer can be daunting, but it's also an opportunity for growth and learning. First and foremost, focus on enhancing your skills. Take stock of what you know and where you need improvement. Invest time in learning new design software or staying updated on market trends. Online courses and workshops can be invaluable resources. Remember, staying relevant and innovative in this competitive field isn't just about problem-solving; it's about continuous learning and adaptation. Embrace this journey as a chance to strengthen your foundation and propel your career forward.

Take stock of the knowledge acquired and evaluate if it is applied in the field of product development, where it can be used and how. Analyze and research new programs and practices that help implement improvements to our skills. It is important to stay updated in the field to be able to bet on better product development.

I engage in both online and offline activities. I attend industry conferences and workshops to meet peers and leaders in person, and I also participate in online forums and professional social media groups related to my field. This approach helps me expand my network, increase my visibility, and open up new opportunities for collaboration and growth.

When your self-employed product development journey hits a snag, it's time to rev up your networking game! Connect with like-minded professionals at industry events, dive into online forums, and reach out to fellow product developers. Building these relationships isn't just about making sales; it's about unlocking doors to collaborations, partnerships, and fresh opportunities. Remember, your network is your net worth, so cast your net wide and reel in the support and insights you need to navigate through any rocky patches. With perseverance and a strong network, you'll turn those challenges into stepping stones to success!

Networking actively within the product development community helps you engage with peers, mentors, and like-minded professionals and learn from their journeys. I believe that right contact or answer at the right place and right time can make all the difference and networking helps you do just that through building relationships and trust. Networking is also a great way to engage in meaningful conversations and knowledge exchange. You can stay updated on current conversations in product development, learn of emerging trends and also common pain points that are there while choosing product development services.

It is incredible how much you can open the range of possibilities to increase greater knowledge and experience by being able to participate in talks, workshops, and online tutorials where you can be inspired by colleagues who will provide you with solid knowledge of the industry. Participate in forums, groups within communication channels to be able to remove all kinds of doubts and gain new tools to perform better in your field.

I make it a point to regularly review and cancel any unnecessary subscriptions. This practice helps cut down on monthly expenses, ensuring that I only spend on essential services that directly contribute to my business and product development.

TRACKING your finances is the ?? to managing your finances. It's sort of something most of us fail to do regularly, but it's what gives us the freedom to focus on what you love—creating and innovating.

This is what SLACK did in 2010 ???? Originally, Slack began not as a communication tool, but as an internal system developed by the company Tiny Speck for use with their online game, "Glitch." When "Glitch" failed to gain sufficient traction and was eventually shut down, the team DID NOT SCRAP EVERYTHING! Instead, they refined and pivoted their robust chat tool to launch Slack as a standalone product in 2013.

If your self-employed product development career is struggling initially, consider a strategic pivot. Analyze market feedback and align your approach with prevailing demands or your unique strengths. This might mean adjusting your product features, targeting a new customer segment, or rebranding. Pivoting demonstrates resilience and adaptability, essential qualities for thriving independently in product development. This proactive shift can revitalize your business trajectory and lead to more sustainable success.

Always look for feedback! It isn’t just opinions - it’s the data you need to succeed. Include a routine process step for gathering end user feedback on a regular basis.