How To Think of, Build, and Market an App

TL;DR

• Don’t chase originality. Copy a validated idea, ship a simple version, then differentiate.

• Use a popular stack: Next.js + Vercel, Expo for mobile, Supabase for auth/db/storage, Stripe for payments, PostHog for product analytics.

• For marketing, lean on short-form video and Reddit. Fast feedback, real reach.

1) Idea: Copy What Works, Differentiate Later

Originality is overrated. Validation isn’t.

Why copy first

• Someone already proved there’s demand.

• You can focus on execution, UX, and distribution instead of guessing.

How to find ideas

• Scroll your feeds (TikTok/IG/Twitter/Reddit) and note which apps you keep seeing.

• List 3–5 you could rebuild. Prioritize ones with clear pricing and simple onboarding.

Differentiate after launch

• Start with table-stakes features.

• Add one opinionated, high-value feature once you have users (e.g., a real-time “meeting copilot,” smarter automation, or a better data import).

Sanity checks

• Do users already pay for solutions like this?

• Can you explain the value in one sentence?

• Would you personally use it weekly?

2) Scope: Build the Smallest Thing That Delivers Value

Ship a Minimum Sellable Feature-set (MSF): the smallest feature bundle that delivers the promised outcome.

What goes in v1

• Authentication, basic settings, core action (the thing people pay for).

• A simple dashboard that shows the result (proof of value).

• Self-serve upgrade/checkout.

What stays out

• Edge cases, complex roles/permissions, bulk actions, deep reporting.

• Anything you can solve with a default, a script, or an email.

3) Stack: Pick Popular, Well-Supported Tools

You’re optimizing for speed and community support, not novelty.

Web app

• Framework: Next.js

• Hosting: Vercel (easy deploys, previews)

• Payments: Stripe (best docs, robust tooling)

• Product analytics: PostHog (events, funnels, session replay, A/B tests)

Mobile app

• Framework: Expo (React Native, one codebase for iOS + Android)

• Use native (Swift/Kotlin) only if you’re truly platform-specific.

Backend

• Supabase for auth, database (Postgres), and storage. One pane of glass, solid DX, active community.

Why this matters

• Larger communities = faster answers (and better LLM help).

• Less time yak-shaving infra, more time shipping features.

4) Prototype: Clickable First, Code Second

Don’t learn with code. Validate flow and language with a clickable prototype.

Simple path

1. Wireframe the happy path (sign-up → core action → result).

2. Build a clickable in Figma/InVision.

3. Put it in front of 5–10 target users and watch them click.

Goal: “Click, click, value.” If they can’t reach value in 2–3 steps, simplify.

5) Build: Ship in Weeks, Not Months

Set a hard deadline (2–6 weeks). Work backwards.

V1 checklist

• ✅ OAuth/Email auth

• ✅ One obvious “Do the thing” CTA

• ✅ One result screen that proves value

• ✅ Billing (Stripe checkout + dunning)

• ✅ Basic product analytics (PostHog events for sign-up, first action, success)

Nice-to-have (later)

• Team seats, SSO, complex reporting, API for customers, webhooks.

6) Price: Keep It Frictionless

Simple model

• Free trial or freemium with clear limits (usage-based works well).

• 2 paid tiers max at launch (Core, Pro).

• Annual option with 2 months free.

• Publish pricing. No mystery calls for a $20 tool.

Anchors that convert

• Tie price to value metric: minutes transcribed, projects, seats, messages, etc.

• Use one obvious “unlocks” to nudge upgrades (e.g., more usage + one premium feature).

7) Market: Two Channels That Actually Work Early

There’s a million growth tactics. Start with the two that give you fast signal.

A) Short-form video (TikTok & Instagram Reels)

• Format: Hook → Pain → 15-sec demo → Result → CTA.

• Angle ideas:

  • “I rebuilt X in 2 weeks; here’s the difference.”

  • “Stop wasting 3 hours on Y. Try this.”

  • “I tested the top 3 tools; here’s what none of them do.”

• Cadence: 3–5 clips/week. Same message, different hooks.

• CTA: One link only (landing page with a 30–60 sec product tour).

B) Reddit (Problem-First Replies)

• Find subs where your users complain (search by keywords).

• Leave helpful, non-spammy replies with a one-line value proposition + link.

• Use tools to alert you to new threads with your keywords.

• Bonus: Google surfaces Reddit threads; your comment can drive long-tail traffic for months.

Other channels (use sparingly at first)

• SEO: Valuable but slower. Publish 1 evergreen post/week (comparison, how-to, template).

• Influencers: High upside, high cost. Test small creators first; pay on performance if possible.

• Product Hunt: Good for a launch pulse. Prepare assets, GIFs, and a credible story.

8) Onboarding: Time-to-Value Wins

Your first job after sign-up: remove thinking.

Pattern

1. Connect source(s) (OAuth, one click).

2. Push the core action (pre-filled).

3. Show the result with a “next best step.”

Nudges

• In-app checklist with 3 items max.

• Email/SMS nudges based on stalls, not timers (e.g., signed up but didn’t connect).

9) Measure: Instrument the Right Moments

Don’t guess. Track the few events that matter early.

Core events (PostHog)

• signed_up

• connected_source

• first_core_action

• first_value_realized (e.g., transcript created, report sent)

• upgraded

• churned (with reason)

Weekly ritual

• Review funnels (sign-up → FTUE → value).

• Watch 3 session replays to spot friction.

• Ship one fix that reduces steps or removes a form.

10) Iterate: Improve What Changes Behavior

Prioritize work that increases:

• Activation (more first-value moments)

• Retention (more weekly usage)

• Expansion (usage or seat-based growth)

Skip requests that:

• Only help one loud user

• Don’t move an outcome metric

• Require complex new surfaces

11) Common Traps to Avoid

• “I need a brand-new idea.” You need a paid problem and clean execution.

• “I’ll launch when it’s perfect.” Launch when it works for the basic job.

• “We need advanced infra first.” No, you need users first.

• “Let’s add more features.” Fix onboarding and copy; cut steps; improve defaults.

12) A Simple 30-Day Plan

Week 1

• Pick a validated app concept.

• Map the happy path.

• Build a clickable prototype and get 5 target users to click through.

Week 2

• Build v1: auth, core action, result, billing.

• Set up PostHog and Stripe.

Week 3

• Launch quietly to first users.

• Publish 3–5 short-form videos.

• Leave 10 helpful Reddit replies.

Week 4

• Watch session replays; ship one friction fix.

• Add one differentiator feature (small, useful, visible).

• Publish one SEO-worthy post (comparison or template).

Example Landing Page Structure

• Hero: “Turn [pain] into [result] in 2 clicks.”

• Subhead: “Connect [source]. Run [action]. Get [result]—fast.”

• Proof bar: Logos/quotes or numbers (time saved, users, reviews).

• 3-step graphic: Connect → Run → Result.

• Interactive demo or 45-sec video.

• Pricing: Free (limited) + 2 paid tiers + annual toggle.

• FAQ: Limits, privacy, refunds, roadmap teaser.

• CTA: “Try it free” + “Watch demo” as secondary.

Conclusion

Stop hunting for the perfect idea. Pick a validated one, ship the smallest version that delivers value, and put it in front of people where they already are. You can get your first paying user with a simple build, a clear landing page, three short videos, and a handful of helpful Reddit comments.

Ready to execute?

• Stack: Next.js + Vercel + Supabase + Stripe + PostHog

• Channels: Short-form video + Reddit

• Goal this week: Click, click, value for 10 users.