How to know if your software idea is any good

Summary

In this video, the creator shares insights on how developers can successfully build and market side projects. Instead of relying on traditional, expensive market research or ads, the key is to build an audience by documenting your journey. By engaging with potential users through platforms like YouTube, developers can gather feedback and validate ideas in real-time, while also creating a built-in audience to market their products. This approach has proven successful for indie hackers and can significantly increase the chances of a project's success. The creator offers a free course to help developers start building their own audience on YouTube.

Takeaways

• 😀 Build it and they will come is a misleading idea for developers. It often leads to wasted effort on software that nobody will use.
• 😀 The key challenge for developers working on side projects is selecting the right idea to avoid wasting time and resources.
• 😀 Traditional market research methods like surveys and calls may not be feasible for solo developers without a team or budget.
• 😀 ChatGPT and other suggestions often recommend time-consuming and uncomfortable market research methods like trolling through Reddit or cold calling.
• 😀 A better approach is to build an audience first, rather than just focusing on product development and traditional marketing.
• 😀 By documenting your journey as a developer online (e.g., on YouTube), you can naturally attract a community of people who are interested in what you're working on.
• 😀 Sharing challenges and progress helps to build a following of people who are invested in your work, without having to become an influencer or create irrelevant content.
• 😀 A built-in audience can help with market research by providing feedback, challenges, and ideas directly in the comments or through deeper discussions.
• 😀 Building an audience online not only provides valuable market insight but also serves as a ready-made marketing tool for when your product is ready.
• 😀 Successful developers like Peter Levels (Nomad List) and Mark Lou (Shipfast) have proven that documenting their journey and building an audience is an effective marketing strategy.
• 😀 With a small amount of market research and audience engagement, your project has a much higher chance of success than relying on traditional methods alone.
• 😀 To start building an audience as a developer, consider publishing your first YouTube video, and you can find resources to help you get started.

Q & A

What is the main issue developers face when trying to build a side project?

The main issue developers face is choosing the right idea. Many developers waste weeks coding software that no one will use because they haven't done proper market research to validate the demand for their product.

Why is traditional market research difficult for most developers?

Traditional market research often requires a team of professionals, like surveyors and analysts, which most developers don’t have. Additionally, it can be hard for developers to know how to conduct research effectively online, such as using forums or cold calling businesses.

What is the traditional business approach to product development?

The traditional business approach involves three steps: market research, product development, and marketing. These steps are aimed at understanding customer needs, creating a product to meet those needs, and promoting the product effectively.

What is the problem with the phrase 'Build it and they will come'?

The phrase is unrealistic because it suggests that creating a product alone will automatically attract customers. In reality, developers need to ensure they understand the market demand and have a strategy for reaching potential users through proper marketing efforts.

What are some common marketing methods, and why do they seem unattractive to developers?

Common marketing methods include running ads, working with influencers, and using SEO. These methods can be expensive, slow, and somewhat disengaging for developers who prefer to focus on building their products rather than learning complex marketing strategies.

What alternative marketing strategy does the speaker recommend for developers?

The speaker recommends building an audience by documenting your journey online. This approach involves sharing your experiences, challenges, and solutions through platforms like YouTube, which can naturally attract followers who are interested in your progress and ideas.

How does building an audience help with market research?

By sharing your progress online, especially through platforms like YouTube, you can engage with your audience in real-time. People in your audience will share their problems in the comments, giving you valuable insights into the issues they face, which you can then address with your product.

How does building an audience also solve the marketing problem?

When you have an engaged audience, marketing becomes easier. Since you’ve already interacted with potential customers and developed solutions based on their needs, you don't need to rely on traditional advertising. Your audience is already interested in what you’re offering, and they are likely to promote it through word of mouth.

Can you give examples of developers who successfully marketed their products using this approach?

Yes, the speaker mentions Peter Levels, who marketed his Nomad List website, and Mark Lou, who marketed his Shipfast website, using this method of documenting their journey and engaging with an online audience. Both of them built strong followings that helped market their products effectively.

What does the speaker recommend to developers who want to start building their own audience?

The speaker recommends watching their free course, which shows step-by-step how to publish your first YouTube video as a developer. This is aimed at helping developers get started with documenting their journey and building an audience around their work.