Ask HN: With so many copy-cat tools, how do you show your exp is still relevant?

[parsoj]

Working as a consultant right now. I just keep running into clients who are almost painfully specific in their requirements.

For example they want a pretty standard data pipeline set up (done that before, in AWS and GCP) - but specifically in Azure (womp womp).

Or they want someone to set up a data warehouse (done that one before) - but they want this specific 3rd party company's clone/packaging of it (womp womp).

For all of these - you can kinda go "yep that sounds simple enough" (and in reality it probably is simple enough) - but if the client wants that specific experience, you are sometimes SOL and won't get the contract.

I keep running into this roadblock it seems. Trying to get actual "flight hours" with every copycat/similar tool that crops up sounds exhausting and intractable (not to mention boring).Is there a good "trick" to selling yourself in this situation?

[uberman]

It can be difficult to present yourself as a consultant when a client does not use a toolset you are familiar with. Focus on what you bring to the problem domain. A pertinent set of architectural skills and perspectives that your client can leverage. You an an expert in this domain with experience that transcends platform specifics.

Alternatively, if your skill set frames you as more like a contractor who is a great programmer and not a consultant, then you are likely SOL as your client is likely looking for a programmer who can hit the ground running with their platform.

[verdverm]

"exaggerating" is typical in sales

You'd need one client to back up that experience

You can speak to higher level concepts and customer concerns that are there besides the tech and sell as to why you are better to handle those.

Showing that you've seen numerous situations, and point out pitfalls they haven't considered can help

Read The Challenger Sale if you haven't