Ask HN: As a dev: learn marketing? Or start side project? (startup skills)
by mettamage on Hacker News.
TL;DR: as a dev, what’s the most valuable skill to learn when wanting to become a more well-rounded solo founder and how do you learn that skill the quickest? Some thoughts (I could be entirely off-base, hence the TL;DR):
I have a side project in mind. I know nothing about marketing other than some basic ideas (I think I read half of the book Traction at one point?). I was wondering, should I: 1. Learn marketing 2. Start a side project? Goal: in 5 years from now, I want to be well positioned to launch a startup? What startup? I’m an idea guy by heart. I studied a master CS 5 years ago + did a software engineer career, in order to implement my ideas. In other words: I’ll think of something that I find fun and will solve a problem. Also, if learning marketing first is the smarter option. Should I learn marketing by taking a course, or should I take a side step (or step back) in my career and do a marketing role?