Feedback Isn’t Free

Most asks for feedback are lazy. You toss your link and hope someone bites. But people are busy. Why should they stop what they’re doing to help you?

The truth: feedback works when it’s a trade. Give me something, I’ll give you something. That’s the only win-win that scales.

Blind asks feel like chores. But if you show up with value first—“I’ll give feedback on your landing page if you check mine”—you create reciprocity. Suddenly it’s not charity, it’s collaboration.

Even better: feedback trades sharpen your own product thinking. Every time you critique someone else’s work, you train your own eye. That’s a rep you can’t outsource.

So stop spraying empty asks into the void. Build a loop: give feedback, get feedback, level up. That’s how you grow faster than waiting for random kindness.

Rep

Today, open Indie Hackers. Find one build log you respect. Leave thoughtful feedback. Then ask the author if they’ll trade feedback on yours.

Tricks

• Always lead with value: give first, then ask.

• Don’t say “Any feedback?” Be specific: “Does my headline explain what I do?”

• Limit to one clear question. People respond more when it’s easy.

• Use the other communities where reciprocity is expected (IH, X, Reddit, Discord).

• Track who trades well with you—those are your growth partners.