Hi Peter, great comment. Thanks. I'd love to hear more from you and you can add me to Skype on "robertlobue" or "applingua" if you want. Or rlobue at gmail . com
Unfortunately the vast majority of iOS/Mac OS developers are individuals/small teams. Prices do matter to them, especially if they are taking a chance with localization.
The 20% rule is interesting. And I'll definitely consider this. Thanks.
Also provide the developers with a stats plugin that can collect usages based on languages. Tell them it will help you and them figure out which languages are worthwhile targetting and which aren't.
Later, use this data as a differentiator since you have a lot of aggregate behavior.
Thanks for all the answers so far - much much appreciated. A few points I should clear up.
1) I do outsource translation. I work closely with a group of freelance translators who I interviewed back in January when I started up. I wish I could speak 20 languages, but I don't ;-)
2) Running a business unfortunately isn't just Project Management and Project QA. There's also finances, marketing, the website to maintain. Certain things can be outsourced, and I have for the smaller jobs.
3) I am happy to make some investments to improve long term returns. Indeed, I didn't pay myself last month to pay for a few improvements. Not ideal when you have rent, but sometimes sacrifices have to be made and I'm ok with that.
4) After reading your comments I'm a little less nervous about increasing prices. I worry, of course I do, that'll I'll be too expensive. Pricing is definitely something I am learning, it isn't easy.
What do you guys think about partnering with someone? Perhaps taking on a junior partner so we can work together towards common aim of Applingua… Is this ever a good idea?
If you are really concerned about raising prices (I wouldn't be; I think you should raise them across the board), you could try just charging new clients/users the higher rate. Adds complexity to your system, however.
Edit - just saw the question. The problem right now is not that you don't have a partner; it's that you don't charge enough for the work you're doing. Adding a partner is going to create another set of distractions and issues.
That's exactly what I am doing. Translation agencies nearly always operate by employing freelance translators. All of my translators are freelance (though have all gone through my trainings and we enjoy a very close relationship during the work day via Skype). My job is business (and everything that goes with it), project management, development (xib customization), QA and proof reader. I'm "doing" too much, but like I said, can't afford the time / money at the moment to get someone else on board.
I'm a recent grad (just over 2 years ago now) and I have a startup in the UK. I'll be honest this is the first time I've heard about the event.
I think grads / final years are even more scared now than ever about finding a job and while that makes it a perfect time to try and start you own thing, I worry it just adds even more risk to a what they feel is already a dismal employment situation.
At Bath Uni we had an excellent Career's service however and if you wanted to do campus events or even just mailers, I would recommend getting in touch with university career centres. You can even ask them to pass your details on to the CS department and getting them the mail the event (yes, spam in a way) it to all the CS students. They did that at Bath if it was particularly relevant.
It may just be a case of students getting tired of all these career fairs which often don't amount to anything. I know in my final year, by the time I'd seen KPMG/Accenture/Deloitte/Barclays/BT/HP/etc I couldn't take any more being deceived about "fantastic opportunities". Perhaps posting this question to HN and undertaking some Twitter buzz if you can will attract the right sort of people to your event more than career emails.
Anyway, good luck with the event! Great that these things even happen in the UK,
Rob
You've already done what so many don't do: admit to their mistakes.
You are right to say others shouldn't rush into quitting their day job. Anything where you have to move back in with your parents and eat your savings isn't an easy decision. It's easy to get caught up in all these success stories on TechCrunch and Hacker News, when, in reality, they are a very small percentage of people.
However, nothing ventured, nothing gained. And while it hasn't worked out for you financially, it doesn't mean you haven't learnt from the whole experience. You will be wiser next time to the process of going at it alone - this isn't a bad thing.
I quit my job at 23 to start my own company and, while it is for me, I think at our age it doesn't matter if it doesn't work out. I imagine it's the same for you: I have no kids, no partner, no responsibilities that require a stable income other than rent. There is no better time to experiment really.
I can understand you're finding it difficult to get back into the job market: what are your skills? Perhaps we could suggest a few things?
If getting your high-school diploma is important to you, think about going back to get the grades. You are older and wiser now, you will do well.
We are young enough to make these mistakes. Decide what you want to do and go for it.
I put 40-50 hours as real client work + essential other activities (finances, website work, etc) but in reality as a small business starting out I never stop thinking about what next to do with my company.
As far as I know employee protection law, at least in the UK, doesn't like these post-contractual obligations. I would ask a lawyer specialising in employment law for confirmation but it is my understanding that you are under no obligation whatsoever to sign this and should they ever do anything that detriments future employment you would have grounds to sue.
