Ask HN: What's a niche problem you'd pay someone to solve?

3 points by cheesepaint 121 days ago | 3 comments

I'm a computer science student thinking about building and maintaining a small service or tool alongside my studies. Ideally, it would generate a bit of extra income to help cover tuition.

I haven't found an idea yet, so maybe one of you has a specific idea or knows a way to get one.

I do not try to find a million-dollar startup idea (more than enough people are doing that), just small, genuine pain points that might translate into a simple, paid solution.

Thanks in advance!

marginalia_nu 121 days ago |

I'd recommend you try solving a problem you're having. Not only is this some degree of verification (you're unlikely to be alone in the world having any given problem), it's also easier to find motivation working on something you yourself find helpful.

verdverm 121 days ago |

I'd recommend, since you are at university, to visit other departments and ask how you can help. You'll find much more engagement and exciting projects that can better the world.

If your goal is primarily to make money, and not understand a problem deeply enough to have some answers already, you will struggle with the goal. People who deeply understand it will out compete you.

beasthacker 121 days ago |

Anki, but a pseudo-terminal that drills you on a programming language's syntax. Utilizes spaced repetition.

Aims to cement fundamentals needed before leet code.