I'm working on a pre-revenue startup and I'm trying to figure out the best ways to appeal to developers for help. Here are some options I'm considering: 1. Offering bounties for smaller, defined tasks. 2. Hiring on a short-term contract basis. 3. Bringing on part-time employees with the potential for full-time work when revenue starts coming in. 4. Seeking open-source contributions without pay. 5. I'm also open to hearing any other ideas you might have. On top of that, where should I look to find developers who are proactive and ready to execute, rather than just learn?
3 Answers
Consider how much work you actually need and how you present your project. Try to keep security, IP risks, and opportunity concerns in mind while recruiting. Make sure to showcase your startup's potential with something real that excites developers without too many risks.
It really boils down to what you can offer, but bounties and short contracts often work well for pre-revenue startups. Bounties let developers know exactly what they'll earn and reduce risk for both sides. Short contracts are ideal if you need someone to stick around for a few sprints and genuinely contribute. Part-time employees could be trickier since they often want stability or some income upfront. Open-source participation can attract some, especially if your project has something unique or exciting about it, but don't expect it to lead to quick progress.
What platforms are best for finding those developers?
I've seen success with Twitter and LinkedIn for finding freelance devs who share their projects!
From my experience with startups, you might want to avoid bounties for core features since those require a deep understanding of your product. For specific tasks, bounties can work great. I found hiring part-time employees can be beneficial, as it allows developers to invest in the long-term vision without your startup suffering from a huge upfront expense. Keep in mind that building a good personal network can also help you find talented developers who won't just ghost you after a few gigs.
I've had good luck finding developers through referrals and personal connections.
Interested to hear more about how you manage those concerns!