Got a Killer App Idea? What’s Next?

As a software engineer and startup founder, our friends and family often approach us with great app ideas that they want our help to bring to life. I have learned some hard lessons along the way and wanted to share my experiences in this post. There are a ton of ways we can validate their ideas and help them. Here are a few of them that I have found to be effective.

BAD PLAN

1. Have idea: We all have killer app ideas, but it’s not until we actually execute them that they have a chance of being successful. Ideas are one thing, but execution is what really matters when it comes to creating a successful app. It’s important to remember that even the best idea won’t amount to anything if it’s not executed well.
2. Build it: This is a common problem for many of us, especially for the technical startup founder who is more focused on building the product than selling. However, if you can acquire good initial customers and revenue early on, your chances of success go up exponentially. So you have to sell.

BETTER PLAN

1. Quickly and visually map out the business model using a business model canvas. It can help you see how your different parts work together and identify potential problems or gaps in your plan. There are nine key sections on a business model canvas: customer segments, value proposition, channels, customer relationship management, revenue streams, cost structure, gross margin, operating expenses, and cash flow.
2. Assuming that your solution is viable, identify all the assumptions which must be true in order for it to work as a business.
3. If you want to create a solution to a problem, it’s important to become an expert on that problem. Talk to people who have the problem and learn as much as you can about it. Use all of Steve Blank’s customer discovery interviews techniques to gain a deep understanding of the issue.
4. In order to test and disprove your assumptions, you should create a series of prototypes. These prototypes can help you determine whether or not it is worth investing further in your product. Additionally, using a no-code platform like Bubble, Adalo, or Appgyver may help you save time and money.

RESOURCES

• Blogs: Paul Graham’s several posts about startup idea
• Book: Strategyzer’s Business Model Generation
• Book: Strategyzer’s Testing Business Ideas
• Steve Blank’s articles and videos about customer discovery interviews

Conclusions

When you have a great app idea, the most important thing to remember is that execution is key. To increase your chances of success, it’s important to validate your idea early on and make sure that all your assumptions about it are true. Talk to people who have the problem you’re trying to solve and learn as much as you can about it. Use that information to create prototypes and test your assumptions. If everything checks out, then you can start working on building your product.

I am building CopywriterPro.ai — A Writer Productivity Tool for Writers. I also tweet regularly on Twitter about my learning experience and knowledge about business, startup, and growth marketing.

If you have questions, bring them on! I wish you a successful journey. Thank you so much for your time in reading this post. Have a nice day.