I made $800k building silly apps (this is how)

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their journey of building successful consumer apps that earned $800,000 by focusing on simple, reusable code and releasing multiple apps. Instead of chasing big ideas, they emphasized building small projects, learning by shipping, and iterating based on real feedback. Their strategy, dubbed the 'Machine Gun Approach,' encourages building fast, testing often, and using reusable code to increase the chances of success. Over time, this approach led to financial freedom and a shift from app creation to brand building, offering practical lessons for anyone looking to make a profitable living through app development.

Takeaways

• 😀 Focus on practical, profitable solutions rather than chasing big ideas or trends.
• 😀 It's important to balance hard work with strategic thinking to achieve success.
• 😀 Reusing code across multiple apps increases your chances of success and efficiency.
• 😀 Launching multiple apps, even with similar code, can increase your 'surface area of luck' and expand your opportunities.
• 😀 Start small with simple projects to learn the process, even if others think it’s already been done before.
• 😀 Don’t just learn to code; learn to ship your projects and iterate based on feedback.
• 😀 The machine gun approach—building fast and releasing often—helps you test more ideas and increase your chances of success.
• 😀 Rather than betting everything on one idea, consistently releasing small projects leads to better outcomes.
• 😀 The process of launching and iterating keeps you motivated and builds momentum.
• 😀 With consistency and experimentation, it’s possible to build a profitable portfolio, as seen with $800,000 in sales from 'silly little' apps.
• 😀 As you grow, focus on scaling your efforts and building your personal brand to gain more control over your journey.

Q & A

How much did the speaker earn from building consumer apps on the app store?

The speaker earned $800,000 from building consumer apps on the app store.

What is the speaker's main goal in building apps?

The speaker's main goal was to get out of debt and make enough money from the apps to pay the rent.

What does the speaker think about the common advice of building the next big idea like Uber or Airbnb?

The speaker disagrees with the idea that success requires building the next big thing like Uber or Airbnb, as they did not have a big idea and didn't want to pursue venture capital.

What does the speaker mean by 'lifestyle business'?

A lifestyle business is one that serves the business owner, allowing them to create freedom and flexibility in their life, rather than chasing a big, risky venture.

What does the speaker suggest about hard work?

The speaker believes that hard work should be intentional and strategic, not just for the sake of being busy. They emphasize the importance of planning and focusing efforts in a way that increases the chances of success.

How did the speaker increase their surface area of luck?

The speaker increased their surface area of luck by releasing multiple versions of their apps. For example, after creating a push-up counter app, they created a squat counter and plank counter, which led to unexpected success.

What strategy did the speaker use for building their apps?

The speaker used a strategy of reusing code across multiple apps, allowing them to build quickly and experiment with various app ideas. They applied this method to apps like the vegan identifier, Pokemon card scanner, and photo-editing apps.

Why does the speaker recommend shipping apps, even if they are simple?

The speaker recommends shipping apps, even simple ones like a to-do list app, because it teaches you how to build, launch, and iterate on products. This process is essential for learning how to succeed in app development.

What is the 'machine gun approach' that the speaker refers to?

The machine gun approach involves building and releasing many apps quickly, treating each as an experiment. This way, you increase the chances of hitting success by firing consistently, rather than betting everything on one big idea.

What happened as a result of the speaker's consistent app releases?

As a result of consistently releasing apps, the speaker built momentum and received feedback, which led to the development of a portfolio. Eventually, this led to earning $800,000 in total sales.

How does the speaker view the evolution of their journey?

The speaker views their journey as evolving from building simple apps to scaling their efforts and eventually building their own brand. At this stage, they have more control over their journey and are no longer dependent on external factors like app store algorithms.