# Product Simplification, Marketing, and Crowdfunding with Miguel Hernandez of Palocam

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2021-05-18
- Length: 43m
- Episode: 31
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc

## Summary

Miguel Hernandez, founder of Palocam, explains how he drastically simplified his remote-control camera system by reducing custom injection molded parts from 18 to zero and removing a complex pan-and-tilt feature, which cut assembly time by over 500% and saved tens of thousands in mold costs. He discusses the financial realities of bootstrapping, estimating that producing 1,000 units would cost between $250,000 and $500,000, and explores funding strategies including manufacturer financing and crowdfunding. Hernandez details his marketing approach, leveraging YouTube videos and influencer outreach to build an audience and sell prototypes directly, while emphasizing the importance of validating features with real customers before scaling production.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=0) Introduction: Miguel Hernandez and Palocam
- [4:19](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=259) Simplifying Palocam: Reducing Parts and Assembly Time
- [10:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=632) Sourcing Enclosures and Removing Pan-and-Tilt
- [16:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=970) Estimating Manufacturing Costs for 1,000 Units
- [20:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=1252) Funding Strategies: Crowdfunding and Manufacturer Financing
- [24:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=1496) Marketing Strategy: YouTube and Influencer Outreach
- [31:24](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2021-05-18-product-simplification-marketing-and-crowdfunding-with-miguel-hernandez-of-paloc#t=1884) Video Marketing and Building Customer Trust

## Topics

- [Design for manufacturing & NPI](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/design-for-manufacturing)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Palocam (product)
- GoPro (product)
- Kickstarter (other)
- Pebble (company)
- DigiKey (other)
- AliExpress (other)
- Amazon (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [16: 3,841](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-08-10-16-3-841) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [3: Onward](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-28-3-onward) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [S2E37 Defied the odds:  A Physical Product Development Firm That Focuses on Startups & Small Businesses, Mako Design + Invent –Kevin Mako](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/being-an-engineer/2021-08-23-s2e37-defied-the-odds-a-physical-product-development-firm-that-focuses-on-startu) (Being an Engineer)
- [045: Product development and Kickstarter launch of Botanium, a product that helps people grow herbs and chilis](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2017-03-21-045-product-development-and-kickstarter-launch-of-botanium-a-product-that-helps) (Product Startup)
- [S3 E7: Building Bootstrapped Hardware That Sells with Christian Reed](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-builder-circle/2026-01-13-s3-e7-building-bootstrapped-hardware-that-sells-with-christian-reed) (The Builder Circle)

## Citing this page

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