Show HN: we like to work from coffee shops, so we made this

I'd be very curious about the viability of clients who approach you in a coffee shop. Seems like you'd get an awful lot of, "So hey, I have this idea that's like Facebook and Youtube combined and I think it could be the next big thing".<p>That's not to say you won't ever find a good client in a coffee shop, but I suspect it has a lower viability rate than a Craigslist ad, and at least on Craigslist I don't have to spend any real time talking to the people who are clearly not serious clients.

I've been running the sticker, "Hi, I build software. Come talk to me!" at a high end coffee shop in my town (Nashville) for 2 weeks and it's generated 3 good conversations. I would say I'm very satisfied with how it's gone so far.

How about something a little... bolder:<p><a href="https://twitter.com/iWaffles/status/256984030552129537/photo/1" rel="nofollow">https://twitter.com/iWaffles/status/256984030552129537/photo...</a>

I'm truly amazed that this made the top of Hacker News. A $5 decal that advertises services. We've officially come full circle. I hear that people have even tried approaching potential clients and <i>talking</i> to them and once one crazy person actually spent money on soliciting business in a printed periodical with somewhat widespread distribution.

This just looks like another generic meaningless sticker that people stick all over their laptops.<p>If you really want people in coffeeshops to approach you try something more personal and direct. "I'm xxxx. I build websites/applications, feel free to say hi,let's chat!" or whatever.

If you are working, do you necessarily want to be bothered?

I like the idea, but the execution not so much. A round sticker would be better in my view.

What has been your conversion rate so far using it? Since this is a marketing/sales practice, I'd love to know what the funnel looks like for this.

Do coffee shops really want this? We all use them from time to time to meet clients, or sneak in some work but I highly doubt most shops would want you building your business (by advertising your availability) around them.

I liked the video especially the bit at 0:32 seconds.

Right below this sticker you should probably list your hourly rate, otherwise you're making yourself a magnet for the wrong kinds of clients.

This is a great (and virtually free) way to pick up business. I don't see a downside.

I thought it was a new band :)<p>Wouldn't coffee shop owners use this to kick you out?

They only come in black, so you wouldn't be able to see it on my laptop.

"My laptop is full of valuable code. Please come steal it."

Would this sticker be visible on a black thinkpad?

I'd buy that for a dollar; but five? Not so much.

$5 for a sticker... Someone said profit margins?

I would rather go for "We are hiring"

To the OP:<p>Good idea but you need some <i>contact info on your site</i> and please remove the "whois privacy" from your whois record for the domain.<p>In all but a limited amount of cases you don't need that. Use a separate gmail account that forwards to your real email to filter if you are worried about spam. Put another address into the whois and google voice number if you are worried about phone calls. To begin you won't get that many with one domain and you also are preventing anyone who wants to get in touch with you from contacting you.<p>Also, why should someone give you money if you don't even have any info as to who you are that they can trace on your website? (which to repeat I like the idea).<p>Registrars (I run an ICANN registrar) typically push privacy because it's good for them. I've seen privacy on records with businesses that want the exact opposite.<p>Anyone who disagrees please post your thoughts and I will address them individually based on my years in this business. (I'd actually like to hear new reasons why people do this that I haven't heard before).