So I spent today walking around campus, talking to people about my venture idea. I got a lot of useful feedback that's changing my outlook on the venture so this exercise can definitely be called a success. This assignment was suppose to be the second time I interview customers but, alas, I suck so this was the first time I did this. Meaning these interviews are kind of rough when they were suppose to be refined but they're still very useful.
Here's my revised idea: a for-profit company that provides a personalized online image restoration service to survivors of revenge porn along with free community support forums, legal resources, and (maybe) a service where survivors can get back at their aggressors.
Customers? Survivors of revenge porn and people who want to restore their online image.
Interview strategy? I didn't do the first round of interviews so my strategy hasn't developed other than asking people who look like they aren't busy.
Here they are:
If anyone has any other feedback, I would love to hear it!
Reflection on the interviews: I got positive feedback on my idea but also had people wondering about the practicality of providing this service. Someone pointed out that, if you wanted to, anyone could research on how to bury unwanted pictures or videos and do it themselves. That got me thinking. Of course anyone could do what I'm providing, if they wanted to, but what I'm providing is a peace of mind. That survivors don't have to worry because this situation is being taken care of by professionals. I don't know how to become a professional of the interweb (yet) but the interviews helped me refine what it is I'm trying to provide to my customers. "My venture provides peace of mind to survivors of revenge porn" sounds a lot better than how I've defined this idea previously.
Lastly, here are a few tips for students interviewing customers:
- Talk to someone who has their own company or any entrepreneurial activity about what kind of feedback they looked for from customers when starting out. This will really help in getting the most out of your interviews.
- Try talking to people who are leaving a building rather than going in. They're more likely to talk to you. Also, make sure they're walking slow enough not to be hurrying anywhere.
- Don't question criticism. Just take it. You want people to poke as many holes as possible in your idea so you figure out if it doesn't work in the beginning rather than in the end. If someone is criticizing you for something that you don't think they understand, it's not that they're stupid. It means that you probably need to work on how you're explaining your idea.
Hey Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteYour idea is very unique and I never really thought about the effects of revenge porn. I would love to watch the interviews but the youtube videos are on private and I can't view them. If you would like to check out my blog about the dining hall my blogger is blogger.com/peterphamuf
Cassandra:
ReplyDeleteWhile I agree with your commentary about why would people want to pay for something they can do, this applies to so many services that already exist. It could be a housekeeper, lawn service, tile installation. I personally think you have a great idea on your hands and while your tip of accepting the criticism is spot on and with most entrepreneurs, you have to fail a couple times before you hit a homerun; I really think there is potential.
I also feel that your tip of getting people as they are exiting vs. entering is the best tip I have read so far! If you want to check out my top 3 tips, follow my blog:
http://nicoleslifeatuf.blogspot.com/2016/02/interviewing-customers-no-2.html
Nicole
Cassandra, I think you have a good idea here but there may be a lot of competition such as like one of your interviewees mentioned people can always google and try to find a way to do it for themselves. I believe that if you find a way to show your service is unique you have a wonderful idea here. I was unable to do the interviews but my blog link is http://henrycastillojr.blogspot.com
ReplyDeleteHey Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI want to same I'm beyond impressed at how much background information and work you've put into this project/ potential product! When I saw your commentary as well as all the interviews you seemed to know all your stuff and it didn't feel at all like you were just trying to be able to declare and share. You sound like a real entrepreneur with many innovative ideas and not only that but as a sociology major I can truly appreciate your passion for helping people that have been victims of sexual violence such as targets of revenge porn! Great job!
Hi Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteYou’ve come up with a great way for people who are victimized by those kinds of sites to get some sort of control back in their hands. You’ve also provided a very simple straight forward service that can be easily accessible. You’ve recognized the challenges, are working to improve on those and I think you’re approaching this concept in the right way.
this is a really good post, cassandra! I think you have a really great idea here! I am also very impressed with how you approached your interviewees. You seemed very in control and professional about the whole thing. I think this amount of professionalism really carried through to the answers you received, people responded well. These interviews were super cool to watch and I can't wait to see if your idea comes to life!
ReplyDeleteHey Cassandra,
ReplyDeleteI have never even thought of this problem. If I wanted to solve this problem I would have probably taken a more preventative approach. Like raise awareness for young women about the detriment they can cause to their name by sending a simple "nude". Revenge porn is a hilarious description and could probably be toned down a bit in the future if this were to turn into a real idea. Great stuff.
Check my blog out here: http://blovejoyblog.blogspot.com
I think your idea is really interesting and I am wondering why and how exactly you came up with it. This is something I would never have to worry about because I'm far too paranoid to ever share any pictures of the sort with someone, for that exact reason. I definitely feel bad for people who are victims of revenge porn, though, and commend you on your efforts to help them out!
ReplyDelete