Tweets

@chrisjarling Oh this is wonderful; thanks for sharing it!

I'm going to read the whole thing now.

I know that many startups (and indie hackers!) are doing good MRR numbers with AI-based tools, but there's still something about that space that makes me nervous.

Feels like a lot of platform risk and crazy amounts of competition...

Example of what I mean:

https://twitter.com/r00k/status/1682445334054592512

Do you ever think: "Wow, if I could buy stock in that person, I would?"

What kind of evidence (behavior, work, attributes, etc.) are you seeing in that person that leads you to that thought?

@mikeherreraTD @NOFXband @FatMike_of_NOFX @TraMilburn @ryanfurlott @mxpx @mikeherrerapod @tomisnotangry @holli_herrera @TakamineUSA @ernieball So great!

@jasonlk How is the game different now?

@Chik The latest episode of @mikerugnetta’s new podcast discusses this. He interviews @its_adamneely about how the internet hasn’t (and can’t?) replace real-life music performances.

#t=33m42s" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://share.transistor.fm/s/d11d83cd#t=33m42s

When the iPhone launched, having a "phone in your pocket" was already established, so the desire for the best version of that (the iPhone!) wasn't a big jump.

Contrast that with VR / Apple Vision Pro, and you see way less pre-existing momentum in the category.

@stephenrobles You can listen to @stephenrobles and @JasonAten discuss this in more detail on their podcast, "Primary Technology:"

https://primarytech.fm/8

Perfectly encapsulates why VR is a challenging category:

"I'll be honest: I have not used my Apple Vision Pro much in the past few weeks. I don't put it on that often.

I'm not going to be the only one wearing it when my family is watching a movie together"
– @stephenrobles

@mlafeldt Thanks for listening and sharing the episode!

Anything in particular from the episode jump out at you?

(You can also leave a voicemail here if you'd like: http://podline.fm/build-your-saas)

@iamjeremyenns Whoa! Nice.

Feels like we need to get all of our rural Alberta and Saskatchewan friends to start listening and bump up those Canadian numbers!

Committing to a mediocre idea is almost worse than committing to a bad idea because bad ideas reveal themselves as "bad" much sooner.

(Whereas folks will continue working on a mediocre idea for longer because they're seeing some results)

@cameronmoll I’ve been using @blogstatic lately, and I dig it for simple blogging. 👍

@stauffermatt @ItMeansFaith ❤️❤️❤️

@davidrosenthal @hubermanlab @FoundersPodcast @AcquiredFM @djrosent Oops! 🤦‍♂️

@growthcurrency @iamjeremyenns @SparkLoopHQ Awesome! If you have any questions / topics you'd like us to consider in the future, you can leave us a voicemail here:

http://podline.fm/trends

@growthcurrency @iamjeremyenns Thank you for subscribing! Let us know what you think of the first episode. 🙏

@chenellco @iamjeremyenns Would love for you to listen and let us know what you think.

@PodcastHelper Thank you! 🙌 I appreciate you sharing it.

(But please give it a listen! 😄)

@hubermanlab @FoundersPodcast @davidrosenthal @AcquiredFM In the same way that we're seeing the startup/VC world transition to valuing companies that are sustainable, profitable, and cash-flow positive, over in the media world, we're seeing independent brands (like @MrBeast) outcompeting traditional large (funded) media plays.

The future of podcasting is "the independent media brand."

"Right now, the shows that are thriving are the independent, boutique, bootstrapped podcasts: @hubermanlab, Tim Ferris, @FoundersPodcast."

– @davidrosenthal, @AcquiredFM

@orishnal @iamjeremyenns Both @iamjeremyenns and I are "prairie boy turned BC boys." 🤣

(Although, technically, now he's a "Spain boy.")

@leenyburger Love it! Really clear H1. 💪

@tomrossi7 @iamjeremyenns @arithisandthat @webby2001 @BryanBarletta Thanks Tom!

@JesseTayRiver @asteriskmgzn Really excellent. Thanks for writing this!

Fascinating read! https://twitter.com/emollick/status/1757641280786506180

@kaizenhacker You have to stack every advantage you can: https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1418266855064555522

@iamjeremyenns Super pumped to finally get this out in the world!

@AlbanBrooke Thanks!

@stephenrobles Thank you!! 🙏

@dijonkitchen Generally, SaaS and software are about "high volume."

But even for "high cost, low volume" businesses (consulting, etc.), you still need a relatively high volume of demand in the market.

https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1316172731952492545

@tomrossi7 @iamjeremyenns @arithisandthat @webby2001 @BryanBarletta Awesome! Thank you! 🙏

@podcastharry @iamjeremyenns @ApplePodcasts @Spotify @OvercastFM @pocketcasts Thanks! Let us know what you think.

@devdcdev In the context of my tweet, "five stars" is more metaphorical:

"Give them 5-star service"
"Build a 5-star product"
"Do 5-star marketing"

Folks don't want to buy "the most average" product or go to the restaurant with "the most "average" ratings.

People want ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐.

@webby2001 Thanks Tom! 🙏

@PodcastDelivery @iamjeremyenns @ApplePodcasts @Spotify @OvercastFM @pocketcasts Awesome! Thank you.

@scottwyden @iamjeremyenns @ApplePodcasts @Spotify @OvercastFM @pocketcasts Thanks Scott! 🙌

@jayclouse @iamjeremyenns @arithisandthat @webby2001 @BryanBarletta Thanks Jay! 🙏

I'm really proud of the first episode @iamjeremyenns and I made (I just listened to it on my walk down to the office).

Would love for more people to hear it. 🙏

Calling all my podcast friends - help us spread the word!

cc @arithisandthat, @webby2001, @BryanBarletta,…

@aarondfrancis That's your elven name

Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

Here's a link:
https://link.chtbl.com/pmte-launch

The podcast I've been working on with @iamjeremyenns launched today! 🎉

It's for people who want to learn how to grow the audience for their podcast.

Search for "Podcast Marketing Trends Explained" in @ApplePodcasts, @Spotify, @OvercastFM, @pocketcasts, and more.

Rarely does a customer see an ad and think: “I’ve never thought about that before, I think I’ll buy it.”

Normally, a customer has been trying to make progress for weeks, months, or years. They’re open to spending money to move forward towards their goal.

What does customer demand look like?

It’s people *already in motion.*

They’re already searching for a solution.

They’re already trying to solve the problem.

Every successful small business owner I know has found the same thing (by luck, intuition, or iteration):

A product category where there is a high volume of customer demand.

@RaulOnRails @dagorenouf That’s not hosted software.

@dagorenouf Can you think of a “pay-once, self-hosted” software product that does this?

@climatepaige I have a little series with @iamjeremyenns where we do this!

https://youtu.be/b39E4O83PCQ?si=j1RCj-X9dPw1wCCb

@iChris @cassidoo ooh. that's a good tip.

@johnrudolphdrex @DCoulbourne This episode of Talking Businessly brought to you by CHEEZ IT

@MattPaulsonSD LOVE your executive office!

@AcquiredFM Did you get an interview with Bernard Arnault!?! 😮

@cassidoo I asked my son (who never answers my texts) and he replied in 0.3 seconds.

@EmmettNaughton @calebporzio Worth checking out!

His retelling of this adventure was especially real:

https://share.transistor.fm/s/c49a6bc2

Here's the link to add it to your podcast player: @ApplePodcasts, @pocketcasts, @OvercastFM, and @Spotify, etc...

https://lnk.to/7wsI6h

If you want an example of a solid "solo podcast," check out @calebporzio's "Notes on Work."

It's consistently good. 👍

Bought @jackmcdade's course on design. Going through it now... and it is SO well done!

Love the fun interactions/touches he put into the course dashboard.

@forgebitz What was Wenger thinking sending Walcott on that early?

@johnspurlock Is that... a lot?

Often, being average won't get you where you want to go:

On average, most new startups make very little revenue.

An average resume doesn't get picked; the above-average application does!

People don't listen to "the most average podcast." They listen to exceptional podcasts.

In most cases, "average" is not enough.

To be better than average, ask: "What does above-average look like?"

What does...

- an above-average job applicant do to get hired?
- an above-average student do to get better grades?
- an above-average business do to earn more revenue?

I always wondered how Jack developed his unique design style.

He’s just released his long-awaited course where he teaches his approach to web design.

Instant buy!

(He’s the one who designed and built my personal site) https://twitter.com/jackmcdade/status/1757030319746674749

Our marketing site has some pages that generate enormous amounts of traffic, but don’t lead to customer signups.

Other pages get far less traffic, but consistently lead to sales.

The goal is to get more of the latter!

The goal of marketing isn’t to “get more traffic.”

The goal is to “get more of the traffic that leads to revenue.”

@adamwathan But you don’t have to find a new customer for every sale (~97% of your previous month’s sales are already spoken for).

With SaaS, you have “prebuilt sales volume” every month.

@p_millerd Printful is the best I’ve tried.

@robwalling Yup.

I don’t see a lot of demand for this (from customers), and the model isn’t great for indie entrepreneurs.

@successfulsw You sell software that people have to host on their own server?

@steveofmcleod Yup - and I don’t think most customers want it either!

@tropianhs Fundamentally different in a number of ways: requires hosting, requires security, requires bug fixes, benefits from customer support.

I can’t think of a software product category (hosted) where this could work (other than a CMS).

@dvassallo My guess is you’re in category b.

(You’ve got strong product-market-channel-founder fit) https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1756729687441580525

"Pay-once" works if:

a) you're selling a high-ticket $$$ item ($100k, custom install), but most small bootstrappers aren't set up for that.

b) you have a very high volume of interest with a strong built-in distribution channel (@tailwindcss and @tailwindui)

This is why I'm skeptical about the "pay-once, self-hosted" sales model for indie hackers.

It doesn't matter how many sales you made last month; this month, you're starting at zero and have to find a whole new set of customers.

People underestimate the volume of sales you need for a software business to work.

You need a constant stream of customers who find your product and pay for it (and finding new customers is hard)!

One reason the SaaS model works is that you're not starting at 0 every month.

@rezzz Got it! Thanks! I appreciate your response.

If you're not on my newsletter yet, you can subscribe here:

http://justinjackson.ca/newsletter

(Then DM me and I'll send a copy of yesterday's newsletter)

@climatepaige Haha. Didn't mean to scare you!

I know it's Superbowl Sunday, but I'm curious:

If you got my Saturday newsletter, could you hit reply with a few of your thoughts?

I've already got a bunch of replies, and I'd like to collect as many as I can for a follow-up next week. 👍

@neuranne ennui?

Great advice on giving feedback to children. https://twitter.com/mattragland/status/1756670103788122262

@abigailotwell You all look fantastic!

@saasmakermac Have you read my newsletter yet? I'd love for you to reply. Feels like we could go deep on this one!

@zackgilbert @EmmettNaughton Those two (@ianlandsman & @tylertringas) have a standing invitation to record with me any time, any day.

@Bonini84 I'll DM you.

@climatepaige I'll DM you that issue.

If you do listen to the latest episode of @buildyoursaas ("Is ONCE enough?"), I'd love it if you left me a voicemail:

https://podline.fm/build-your-saas

☝️ using @arvidkahl's new podcast voicemail tool for this!

You should definitely listen to the episode I did with @tylertringas and @ianlandsman, where we evaluate the idea/potential of "Once" (pay-once, on-prem software).

Available now on the @buildyoursaas feed:

https://lnk.to/7wNC3l

Just published my weekly newsletter. (Sorry it's late!)

You should see it in your inbox with the subject line:

"Is ONCE enough?"

Eager to hear your thoughts.

@gilbert 😱

🎯 https://twitter.com/p_millerd/status/1756144466228855065

@yongfook Nice 🧘

@jeremyvaught @cnorm35 @mxpx I'm still a fan! I've bought both of their new albums and participated in the Kickstarter.

@ianlandsman This was a good one!

RT @ianlandsman: Fun convo about on-premise software, Once, and more

Holy crap: @iChris edited this super fast!

The episode is out now! 🎉

https://saas.transistor.fm/episodes/is-once-going-to-disrupt-the-indie-saas-world

On the podcast front, @iamjeremyenns and I did a podcast teardown for @witsandweights.

We looked at his podcast branding on @ApplePodcasts and @Spotify and broke down what's working, and how folks can improve their cover art, title, show description, SEO, and episode titles.

@warsh33p 🤣

@aarondfrancis @tylertringas @ianlandsman @buildyoursaas Ian was remarkably well-behaved.