I've got a list of side projects to get on with. I've made little progress in the last year, and suspect its burn out to blame - I'm just constantly exhausted.
I think if you have the energy, this is awesome fun. It might even get to the point where one of them makes some decent income.
But if you don't, like me, just realise that there is a reason for that, and it's OK. You need rest and relaxation, and it's OK to prioritise that.
naeemnur · 7m ago
Totally relatable. I’ve stepped back a bit since my son was born. It’s a different pace now, but that’s fine. Rest isn’t a pause, it’s part of it.
fm2606 · 24m ago
Virtual hat tip to ya!
I finally have four ideas that I think worthy to build that I would like to monetize. All would be well within my abilities to build. No vision of grandeur that I'd retire from any of them and if I made $100 from one site I'd be ecstatic.
Two are simple games, one a directory and one a utility type site. No AI, no sign-up, no affiliate marketing, no upselling, just simple sites with ads.
However, my "paralysis by analysis" affliction is strong.
90s_dev · 4m ago
> However, my "paralysis by analysis" affliction is strong.
The solution is to remember that nothing is perfect, and that all code is eventually thrown away and replaced. So just start writing code and have fun!
jonplackett · 1h ago
I should make a page of ‘Every Side Project I haven’t quite finished building since 2009’
But it would be so huge I can’t afford the hosting bill.
mickeyr · 1h ago
And if you’re like me, you probably wouldn’t finish the list either…
alentred · 54m ago
Preach. Sign me up when you finish this side project, I will list mine there too :)
mfalcon · 41m ago
And you probably won't finish that too :)
patapong · 16m ago
Very cool! How do you know when a project is done?
naeemnur · 12m ago
I just put out the first version once it feels usable (very important) and try not to overthink it. I add features later if it still feels fun or useful.
azhenley · 28m ago
This is beautiful. I think I'll add a similar page to my website. Side projects are what I look forward to!
Right now, I just have my blog + github as a messy portfolio of personal projects, but I like this much better.
naeemnur · 20m ago
Go for it! I love creating list sites, so I listed my side projects too. xD
JoeDaDude · 37m ago
Symbol hunt is broken :(
(FWIW, I had the same error on my website, seems PHP needs to be updated)
naeemnur · 19m ago
Sold it two years ago, not sure if the new owner is maintaining it or not
williamsss · 11m ago
How have you found buyers for your projects?
EdA1 · 2h ago
Wow, you've sold a lot of sites. How does that work?
diggan · 2h ago
Create public project, have a contact-form/email somewhere on the website, if someone is interested in buying it, they'll reach out to you and you discuss the details. Isn't much more magic than that :)
MrGilbert · 1h ago
And also finding your niche idea, that also solves a real world problem and is interesting enough for someone to acquire. Generate enough visibility.
I'd argue there is some kind of magic here.
johnisgood · 1h ago
How do you get any visitors to begin with? By posting it on HN?
Otherwise, if you're solving a specific problem in a niche, start hanging out wherever those people hang out, participate in the community and share your solution if it's applicable to the discussion. Make sure not to spam/self-promote a lot though, as it comes off as really tacky in most places.
wahnfrieden · 6m ago
IG reels, TT
martin_a · 1h ago
Or share it with friends and coworkers, write an article about it, write good texts on the website itself so that search engines can pick it up, etc. pp.
Solve a problem and people will probably find your site.
Bigpet · 14m ago
well looking at the list of projects and seeing the site `ZeroAcquire` there it looks like he asked himself the same question and sold the solution
naeemnur · 3m ago
Haha yeah, I guess I built the problem and then sold the fix. Didn’t plan it that way, but it worked out.
naeemnur · 1h ago
I've sold through Acquire.com, Flippa, and also had people reach out to me directly
FiberBundle · 29m ago
Would you be ok with giving a range of selling prices?
naeemnur · 15m ago
Sure, Highest was $8,000 and lowest $250. Total so far is a bit over $35k. Thinking of adding the prices to the page soon.
monsieurbanana · 2h ago
Microacquistions maybe? I haven't looked much into it and I don't want to link to a random $$$ website, so instead here's the subreddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/microacquisitions
mcteamster · 1h ago
Love it, especially your latest post on bringing back fun websites. Bought a block on ‘Stack your project’!
naeemnur · 1h ago
Thank you :D
aa-jv · 1h ago
Would be cool if the URL's were clickable, site-wide, though ..
I've got a list of side projects to get on with. I've made little progress in the last year, and suspect its burn out to blame - I'm just constantly exhausted.
I think if you have the energy, this is awesome fun. It might even get to the point where one of them makes some decent income.
But if you don't, like me, just realise that there is a reason for that, and it's OK. You need rest and relaxation, and it's OK to prioritise that.
I finally have four ideas that I think worthy to build that I would like to monetize. All would be well within my abilities to build. No vision of grandeur that I'd retire from any of them and if I made $100 from one site I'd be ecstatic.
Two are simple games, one a directory and one a utility type site. No AI, no sign-up, no affiliate marketing, no upselling, just simple sites with ads.
However, my "paralysis by analysis" affliction is strong.
The solution is to remember that nothing is perfect, and that all code is eventually thrown away and replaced. So just start writing code and have fun!
But it would be so huge I can’t afford the hosting bill.
Right now, I just have my blog + github as a messy portfolio of personal projects, but I like this much better.
I'd argue there is some kind of magic here.
Otherwise, if you're solving a specific problem in a niche, start hanging out wherever those people hang out, participate in the community and share your solution if it's applicable to the discussion. Make sure not to spam/self-promote a lot though, as it comes off as really tacky in most places.
Solve a problem and people will probably find your site.