Ask HN: What to do about competitors on my mailing list? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What to do about competitors on my mailing list?

10 pointsghostaccount13 comments

I'm posting this under a ghost account because I don't want to draw the attention to my startup. I'm currently in the "landing page phase." As such I have a newsletter signup form on the page to keep people updated. I haven't sent the first newsletter out yet, and I'm not sure if I want all my competitors keeping track of my progress. I've confirmed at least 3 direct competitors who have joined the list as well as another in a similar space (possibly looking to move into my territory). Today I'm preparing the initial newsletter to send out.

What would you do?

View on HN

The bottom line is - they know you exist. If you are a real threat to them then they will find out anyway - how hard is it to ask a mate to sign up on your behalf and forward the email or use a disposable account.

They aren't doing their job properly if they aren't watching you like a hawk. (and, by the same token, you of course you clearly are doing yours properly because you know who your competitors are and and paying attention - which is a good)

You need to measure everything you say in public as if it is lowering barriers to entry/ giving a competitive advantage to someone else. If you are in a really competitive space then its going to be like this from here on in.

However its good to remember - its the execution that counts and not the ideas.

Good luck

I agree completely, I'm working on a startup that is in 'stealth' right now not by choice but just because we haven't launched yet :) We've held off from posting screenshots until we have something that people can click on, but at that point our jackets will be completely open and all secrets revealed.

It's scary, but honestly... it will take people 2x as long to implement anything and once they do, you need the confidence that you can do it better.

There are alot of great articles on 'first mover' advantage and that being the 'first' to do something isn't important. It's doing it right!

Thanks, I found your comment quite motivating. (I'm doing something right!)

I would write them off as a competitive threat if they're paying attention to startups in the landing page phase for good ideas to steal.

This is probably the answer I wanted to hear from someone. Confirmation that they indeed have no good intentioned reason for joining my mailing list.

Send them a different email than the one that everyone else gets to send them in the wrong direction.

I think I would enjoy that quite a bit actually.

All this time and effort you're spending on worrying about potential competitors doing trivial stuff is time not spent on making your startup successful.

While I'm sure there are exceptions, all the startups that I'm familiar with that were paranoid about competitors failed, due to being in stealth mode, a lack of focus, etc.

If your competitors are really watching then I'm sure they'll find out regardless of an email from you.

... but you are completely within your rights to remove them. I don't see an ethical issue with that (I mean I do see the ethical issue, but after thinking about it I do not believe removing them is unethical).

By removing you might by a little (or no) time before they find out.

Is it worth it?

Is what you have to say going to be a huge tip off?

At the end of the day, this is your startup, your job, your company and livelihood and completely your call to make.

my2c

Indeed, they could just as easily use a throwaway email address to get to my newsletter. In that case I'll have no choice but to send it to them. :)

You want to keep your startup a secret but you have a newsletter sign up? Are you stealth or not?

My startup is actually not a secret at all, I simply didn't want this thread's outcome to reflect on it. I'm not stealth as I have a landing page and am actively advertising it online to get people to sign up. I just don't want my competitors knowing what I'm telling my potential customers just before launch.

Delete them off the list if it makes you feel better. It won't make a bit of difference in the long run though.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com