date: 'Tuesday, August 27 2024' title: 'What Is Indie Hacking?' description: "A deep dive into indie hacking, indie hacking tips, and whether or not it's right for you." image: 'indie-hacking-pros_opipco' author: 'Brian T. Sullivan' editor: 'Lindsey Woldt'

category: 'learn'

What Is Indie Hacking?

Written by Brian T. Sullivan • Edited by Lindsey Woldt

Let's just clarify this right off the bat: An indie hacker is not a person who breaks into other people's computer systems. Instead, indie hacking is an approach to creating and selling tech products outside of the typical industry system of either large, established firms or traditional startups funded by venture capital.

The "indie" refers to being independent, in the same way that you have things like indie movies, indie music, or indie comic books. In many ways, even if the products of indie hacking are technological, the underlying philosophy and motivation is largely the same. Even if it isn't a straightforward way to get rich quick (or even ever), this path can really appeal to some people.

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Benefits of Indie Hacking

As I said, the reasons for becoming an indie hacker are often quite similar to the reasons for being an independent creator or maker of anything else. Although there are almost certainly an infinite number of specific reasons, a few of the major reasons could be:

Freedom

This could also be thought of as the typical "being your own boss." You don't have to answer to anybody as an indie hacker. You can make your own decisions about what you want to make and how it should be made. There aren't managers or investors breathing down your neck and asking you to change things before they're even finished.

Speed

As with freedom, by not having to work within an organization, you can make things more quickly by not having to jump through bureaucratic hoops. This lets you see your idea become a reality and then you can iterate and revise it while the first version is (ideally) making you money.

Ownership

As an indie hacker, whatever you create is the product of your own time and money. This means you get to keep any profits you earn with your product(s). It also means you have more control over how your creations are presented and sold.

Portfolio and Reputation

By spending time making products independently, you can build up a portfolio and have greater opportunities to get recognized for your work. Doing so provides the business with additional opportunities to grow said business or transition into more mainstream work.

Cons of Indie Hacking

No matter your reasons for being an indie hacker, you've got to remember that success is no guarantee. Even the pros of having freedom and ownership can come with caveats. After all, you may be free to do whatever you want conceptually but without a secret billion dollars lying around, you will almost certainly be limited in what you can afford to do.

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Money

Money is a major issue that indie hackers need to account for. The price you pay for your independence is that all funds come from you. This situation can be highly stressful, as you rely on turning a profit to sustain your business and also cover your living expenses.

On top of that precarious reality, you probably won't be able to acquire all the tools and resources for creating and selling your products that venture capital-backed startups or established companies can use. You don't want to be stuck in a loop of inability to make or advertise your products, meaning that you're not procuring sales and as a result, you're not making money.

Wearing Too Many Hats

This can be a benefit or a drawback, depending on the situation and your point of view. Having a variety of things to do can be both stimulating and exciting. In other ways, it can be overwhelming and inhibit your productivity. Plus, you'll need to develop outside skills you might not have learned if you worked at a larger organization. (I'm inclined to view these as opportunities, rather than drawbacks, but sometimes you just want to "do the work" and not become a Jack of All Trades.)

Perception of Your Work

Like other types of indie creators, indie hackers often have many small projects that they work on. This can lead to a reputation for being flaky or unserious about their work. Given the seriousness of making something from scratch with your money on the line, this perception is a little unfair, but it exists all the same.

If your indie hacking endeavors are proving to be successful and you have a healthy sense of self-worth, these opinions won't bother you that much. Issues arise, though, when the perception of indie hackers deters people from buying your products or from hiring you to do work for them.

Indie Hacking Tips

Choosing to pursue indie hacking can be a major decision. Nonetheless, there are some strategies to consider, to increase your chances of success:

Speed > Perfection

Your products won't have an army of people to create and maintain them, so don't try to make something perfect. Instead, make small, simple products quickly, so that they can start being used and hopefully earning you money. Later, if something really catches on, you can refine and improve it.

Outside Employment

It can take a very long time for an indie hacking endeavor to turn a profit. Since the money for it is all coming out of your own wallet, you may want to consider finding other ways to earn money, either at a traditional job or as a freelancer and consultant.

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Is Indie Hacking in Your Future?

If, after reading this, you want to try being an indie hacker, I applaud you. If you've decided it isn't for you, that's fine too. The desire to create things independently requires a certain kind of personality, and being successful at it can involve as much luck as strategy. I'm personally in the middle of my own journey as an independent maker.

The path, in my experience, is not always straightforward, and the uncertainty can be crushing at times. The ability to see your ideas come to life without compromise is so exciting, though. I can't say I recommend or discourage you from being an indie hacker, but hopefully you know a little more now about that world.

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