Wow, this was super interesting and helpful! My latest failed product was a long-form AI writing tool that helps AI write coherently without losing the plot for 3K or more words. Alas, my ICP turned out to be high school and college students who want to cheat on their essays, so I stopped promoting it.
Some of these products sound like things I’d use! Pinkypartner caught my eye. It sounds fun, although my wife might get pissed at me if I tried to make her use it. My wife didn’t grow up in the American hustle culture, so she wonders why I work all the time. The opposite of Pinkypartner, though, might be something like Relaxpartner, an app for couples to unwind together. Honestly, I could use that, and it might make my wife happy. We’re supposed to rest on the Sabbath, but I’m terrible at it, aside from my Sunday nap. Weekends are packed with errands and keeping the kids entertained, so rest gets pushed to the side. When I think about the apps I subscribe to, they all slot neatly into my day. If you can create something like that, even with a spiritual or religious undertone, it’s a niche worth exploring.
The only thing I would ask you: If you forget about money or having success in any of these proyects, would you keep doing what you are doing? Are you happy on that journey?
Your post reminded me of https://mtlynch.io/. He quit google and started an indie journey too. He started writing a famous blog post about quitting google and wrote a yearly update ever since (last one: https://mtlynch.io/solo-developer-year-6/)
What stuck to me is that the first few years nothing was a success. But the outcome was always that he was happy doing what he did.
This inspired me to write a yearly update too! I didn't start any indie project, just the social media, but it's good to reflect on the journey. My 365 days will be in a month!
Wow, this was super interesting and helpful! My latest failed product was a long-form AI writing tool that helps AI write coherently without losing the plot for 3K or more words. Alas, my ICP turned out to be high school and college students who want to cheat on their essays, so I stopped promoting it.
Hahahaha funny!
Well, at least you managed to build a valuable product. That's more than 95% of other people who try.
So good for you for both things!
Some of these products sound like things I’d use! Pinkypartner caught my eye. It sounds fun, although my wife might get pissed at me if I tried to make her use it. My wife didn’t grow up in the American hustle culture, so she wonders why I work all the time. The opposite of Pinkypartner, though, might be something like Relaxpartner, an app for couples to unwind together. Honestly, I could use that, and it might make my wife happy. We’re supposed to rest on the Sabbath, but I’m terrible at it, aside from my Sunday nap. Weekends are packed with errands and keeping the kids entertained, so rest gets pushed to the side. When I think about the apps I subscribe to, they all slot neatly into my day. If you can create something like that, even with a spiritual or religious undertone, it’s a niche worth exploring.
Interesting idea.
I might explore it as my next product.
Currently working hard on an amazing product that's going to be a game changer for Substack writers!
Inspired by your consistency and I wanna have the same type of consistency as I am just starting out.
Wow, that's exciting man!
Let's talk :)
Thanks a lot for sharing your journey.
The only thing I would ask you: If you forget about money or having success in any of these proyects, would you keep doing what you are doing? Are you happy on that journey?
Your post reminded me of https://mtlynch.io/. He quit google and started an indie journey too. He started writing a famous blog post about quitting google and wrote a yearly update ever since (last one: https://mtlynch.io/solo-developer-year-6/)
What stuck to me is that the first few years nothing was a success. But the outcome was always that he was happy doing what he did.
This inspired me to write a yearly update too! I didn't start any indie project, just the social media, but it's good to reflect on the journey. My 365 days will be in a month!
Best of luck in your next 365 days, Orel!
His journey is so interesting. Thanks for sharing it! I will binge it this Saturday :)
To answer your question, I think that the fact that I think about the best way to make money is what sometimes make the journey hard to sustain.
The pressure "forces" me to work and feel bad whenever I don't.
But it's a work in progress, to be okay with doing nothing.
So all in all, I enjoy most of the journey, and I am going to enjoy it more the next one.
What about you? How was your journey?
Waiting to read about it! :)
Thanks for sharing the journey, Orel!
I know you covered mistakes in a separate article, but...
If you were able to send a short tweet of advice to your past self from 12 months ago:
What would it be?
Hey Michal :)
I would advise myself this:
Don't try to force it. Go on a walk.
I used to stare at the computer screen for weeks, trying to come up with something to do and it sent me into a bad spiral of burnout and depression.
Saved as a quote!
That's important to detach, even for a moment. Thanks for the distillation!
Happy you loved it :)
Thanks for sharing your journey so far, Orel -- Your transparency and positive focus on learning from each experience is really inspiring.
Keep it up, and good luck with the upcoming projects!
Thank you Rohan :)
I appreciate your support man
Awesome piece, shows what you can learn from "failures" that contribute to your success, cheers for the great info!
Indeed you can learn!
Thanks man :)