Pitching app ideas
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- mg33
Curious for some feedback on something. If you had an idea for an app that you felt could be very solid, it solved an interesting problem, and it didn't exist yet, how would you personally go about approaching an existing brand or app development group to see if they are interested in building it?
Obviously you'd want to get a bit of a plan, mockups and wireframes of the idea. How much would you need to ensure that it was a "thing" and if the business/group didn't want to work with you, they couldn't steal the idea?
I can't get into details, but there's an idea I'm kicking around that would fit well into an existing company's niche, and would be a good companion app/tool to other ones they have.
But on the other hand, if I worked with people to develop it as my own app, it could probably be something all its own.
Let's say I take the first route though, approaching an existing company to pitch it as something they could build within their existing tools. what would I need to prevent IP infringement/theft if they declined, but later came out with something similar?
- dbloc0
a non disclosure agreement would be a step in the right direction
- BabySnakes0
Not sure what you can do about clones in general. It seems that they could just change it in a way that you wouldn't be able get them for it.
At least how I see all the apps and app clones out there.
- meffid0
A more productive approach:
Do you have backing ie is this an agency going forward with this idea, or is it off your own back?
If you go to them with "hey, sign this saying you can't do it in the future because it's my idea - it solves a problem for you and I want you to buy it" - they will say fuck off.
Develop a relationship within the company you're trying to place your idea first. Ask questions then, and feel it out from there.
Alternatively rock up with your idea, costs involved and pitch it as a product already made they could use. They'll buy it or not, or steal it. If they don't buy, get it to their competitor the same day and say someone else passed.
An NDA is unlikely. Almost everyone has a "submissions" claimer. Normally they won't be considered or even opened in case they do the same idea down the track unknowingly.
If you've redesigned Yahoo homepage, good luck to you.
- albums0
I'd get past wireframes and get as much of the UI/UX appflow polished, so that only functionality was left to add. Make the design so tight it can answer all the possible development functionality questions relatively easily.
People patent App concepts all the time though, so if you want to invest in your idea first, you can protect it that way.
Or just team up with an overseas team so you can get your functionality "working" at a lower cost than the patent, then with that "working" example, your pitch can be made and further development can take place if necessary.
I keep saying "working" as it may not be final functionality, but at least the app is more than a bunch of screen mock ups with detailed explanation of interaction.
I would love to see an app that actually solves a problem though. That right there (if true) makes it worth at least $1.99. ;)
- MrT0
Has anyone on here got an app out there?
- I do. www.thumb.itMHDC
- Has about 2 million users and way over a billion votes. Moving on to the next thing though. whatever that might beMHDC
- Nice looking app MHDC23kon
- Maaku0
Is it a bi-monthly web magazine about photographers and their adventures?
It's been done.
- 23kon0
mg33,
If you truly believe the idea could make you good money then invest the time and money yourself into taking it forward so you reap all the end cash.
You could try and excite a developer friend about the idea, he/she might want in on the action and are willing to put their own time in too.
Showing to a company though is always going to be risky, particularly if they've got a bit of cash or a dev team behind them and would be able to beat you to market with the idea.
- <this - you're better off bootstrapping it, and then seeking investors once you've got an mvp.jtb26
- omg0
I would think that great ideas are patent first, or great marketing concepts have been copyrighted beforehand. Otherwise you're just giving your great design ideas away for the taking. That's what school is for.
- bainbridge0
There's more apps to be made?
- benfal990
i wish i could code apps. apps are the future.
- mg330
Thanks for the feedback!