How I Built It: $20K/Month Chrome Extension

Summary

Sadi, a solopreneur and software engineer, shares his journey of creating a successful AI browser extension called 'Super Power Chat GPT' that generates $20,000-$30,000 in monthly revenue. He emphasizes the importance of building on popular platforms with existing user bases and targeting niche markets with fewer competitors. Sadi's strategy involved listening to user needs, launching quickly, and monetizing through newsletter sponsorships before introducing paid features. He advises aspiring developers to validate their ideas quickly and leverage their strengths for rapid growth.

Takeaways

• 😀 Sadi, a solopreneur, built a browser extension called Super Power Chat GPT that adds extra features to Chat GPT and earns him $20,000 to $30,000 monthly.
• 💡 The best strategies for building a successful extension are targeting large platforms with existing user bases or smaller platforms with marketplaces but less competition.
• 🚀 Building for an existing marketplace is advantageous because it's faster, less crowded, and easier to validate ideas compared to launching a traditional SaaS with its own website.
• 🤖 Sadi found ideas for his extension by listening to user needs in communities like subreddits, Discord channels, and Facebook groups, emphasizing the importance of understanding customer demands.
• 💼 Sadi's initial approach was to offer his extension for free to grow his user base before introducing a paid model for additional features after the first 9 months.
• 💬 He leveraged organic growth through word of mouth and social media reviews, avoiding paid advertising and allowing users to market his product.
• 🛠️ To build the extension, Sadi used JavaScript, HTML, and CSS, and for backend services, he relied on AWS, showcasing the simplicity of the required tech stack.
• 💼 Sadi monetized his project initially through a newsletter, which he sponsored, before introducing a paid model for the extension's advanced features.
• 🔒 Despite the success, Sadi is aware of the dependency on OpenAI and the potential risks of his product being shut down, highlighting the importance of contingency planning.
• 💡 His advice for aspiring solopreneurs is to validate their project quickly, focus on their strengths, and take action to build and launch their product as soon as possible.

Q & A

How much revenue does Sadi's browser extension generate monthly?

Sadi's browser extension generates a monthly revenue of about $20,000 to $30,000.

What is the name of Sadi's browser extension?

The name of Sadi's browser extension is 'Super Power Chat GPT'.

How long has Sadi been working on his browser extension?

Sadi started working on his browser extension about a year and a half ago.

How many times has Sadi's extension been downloaded?

Sadi's extension has been downloaded close to 260,000 times.

What is the strategy Sadi suggests for building a successful browser extension?

Sadi suggests building for existing large platforms with established user bases or targeting platforms with smaller user bases but less competition.

Why did Sadi choose to build on the Chat GPT platform?

Sadi chose to build on the Chat GPT platform because he saw missing features and opportunities to enhance the user experience.

How does Sadi come up with new ideas for his extension?

Sadi comes up with new ideas by engaging with potential customers in communities like subreddits, Discord channels, and Facebook groups, listening to their needs and feedback.

What is the significance of building for an existing marketplace according to Sadi?

Building for an existing marketplace is advantageous because it's less crowded, faster, and easier to validate ideas compared to launching a traditional SaaS with its own website.

How did Sadi grow his user base without spending on marketing?

Sadi grew his user base organically through word of mouth and by posting on various platforms. His extension was also featured in reviews by social media users, which helped in its growth.

How does Sadi monetize his browser extension?

Initially, Sadi monetized through a newsletter with sponsorships. After the first 9 or 10 months, he introduced paid features for the extension, keeping the existing features free.

What are the technical skills and tools Sadi used to build his extension?

Sadi used JavaScript, HTML, and CSS to build the extension. He used VS Code as his code editor, AWS for backend services, and Beehive for the newsletter with monetization features.

What advice does Sadi have for someone starting out in building a software business or plugin?

Sadi advises validating the project quickly by building and launching the first version to see if it attracts users. He also emphasizes focusing on one's strengths to gain initial traction.