How to deter developers with your craigslist ad

I recently started to look for android consulting work, but unfortunately I have to wade through the debris on Craigslist to find hopefully legitimate pay-by-the-hour/project.  Half of the “gigs” for android work are from people looking for someone to partner with for their “great idea.” Oh and they’re not a coder, so can you do all the coding work.  And they have no money to pay you with, but once the app launches, you’ll get 50% of the immense profits!

What a great opportunity!

Here’s a fine example:

I truly believe that ideas are not what makes a startup successful. Of course, the idea has to be solid and not “I need someone to build me a social network, a lot like facebook and twitter,” but once that prerequisite is fulfilled, it’s the implementation and the people that make the difference.

So maybe this guy really has some valuable assets like his “silver tongue” to bring to a partnership, but by keeping the idea so secretive it makes it seem like that’s all he has to contribute.  Furthermore, he seems to trivializes the coding aspect, and makes me think he would not be so fun to work with!

That’s not to say all non-coders should just dig a hole and cry.  But you should have something else to bring to the table other than the idea–it could be capital, design skills, business and marketing experience, whatever, but if I’m going to work with you with no guarantee of payment, it better be good.

On the flip side, this post is a great example of how to effectively go about finding a technical co-founder.  Tracy (aka limedaring) is upfront about her skills and experience, as well as her startup idea and what she needs in a co-founder. Her openness about the startup idea shows confidence that she has other skills that will make the implementation competitive.

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