Ayush Kumar's progress thread.

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper">Hi there,<br /> I have been lurking around the forum for the past 4 years. I have attempted to freelance in my local area, but the rates are meager, so I switched to selling web design to international markets last year, but I failed miserably.<br /> Right now, I am focused on launching a digital product with a goal of making $5k by the end of the year. I have already launched my first product. <a href="https://spiralsaas.dev" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">spiralsaas</a><br /> <br /> <b>How did I come up with the idea?</b><br /> After failing at web design I started finding other methods to make money, and that&#039;s when I stumbled on solopreneurship on Twitter. I saw that people are selling boilerplates and making money, I discovered a gap where people are selling boilerplates without offering Appwrite integration (Appwrite is a Backend As a Service company). This is my main point of differentiation.<br /> <br /> <b>How am I going to acquire users?</b><br /> I will acquire users by posting content on social media (Reddit, Twitter, discord). I have posted content on Twitter and Reddit but nobody seems to be interested.<br /> What am I doing wrong?</div>

 

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[Asaah]

<div class="bbWrapper">Goodluck man!<br /> <br /> Do you know the number of clients or sales that will earn you 5k? I found setting goals to get x clients within x period more effective and realistic at the initial stage of business. <br /> <br /> Your failure in the web design business might have just been a mindset limitation. I run a web design business in my less developed African country, and it is doing well. You can hardly get clients internationally without working for local clients first.</div>

 

[MJ DeMarco]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 98816" data-quote="Ayush6543" data-source="post: 1136999" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1136999" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1136999">Ayush6543 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> What am I doing wrong? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Sounds like you are chasing money, not offering genuine value, with value skews.<br /> <br /> Also, how do you reach your target audience effectively? Seems like shooting goldfish in an ocean.</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 1" data-quote="MJ DeMarco" data-source="post: 1137248" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137248" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137248">MJ DeMarco said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Sounds like you are chasing money, not offering genuine value, with value skews.<br /> <br /> Also, how do you reach your target audience effectively? Seems like shooting goldfish in an ocean. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>I&#039;m emulating other entrepreneurs&#039; marketing strategies by creating and sharing videos on social media, as well as writing posts on Reddit communities. I am planning to launch it on product hunt to gain some customers.</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 103465" data-quote="Asaah" data-source="post: 1137168" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137168" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137168">Asaah said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Goodluck man!<br /> <br /> Do you know the number of clients or sales that will earn you 5k? I found setting goals to get x clients within x period more effective and realistic at the initial stage of business.<br /> <br /> Your failure in the web design business might have just been a mindset limitation. I run a web design business in my less developed African country, and it is doing well. You can hardly get clients internationally without working for local clients first. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Currently, my pricing is $39. It&#039;s a one-time fee, so to reach $5k I need 129 customers.</div>

 

[MJ DeMarco]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 98816" data-quote="Ayush6543" data-source="post: 1137287" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137287" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137287">Ayush6543 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I&#039;m emulating other entrepreneurs&#039; marketing strategies by creating and sharing videos on social media, as well as writing posts on Reddit communities. I am planning to launch it on product hunt to gain some customers. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> None of this speaks to your product.<br /> <br /> Again, the first clue that you are chasing money is you only want to talk about marketing, but you have nothing much to say about your product.</div>

 

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[BizyDad]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 98816" data-quote="Ayush6543" data-source="post: 1137287" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137287" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137287">Ayush6543 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I&#039;m emulating other entrepreneurs&#039; marketing strategies by creating and sharing videos on social media, as well as writing posts on Reddit communities. I am planning to launch it on product hunt to gain some customers. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> What problem are you actually solving?</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 72777" data-quote="BizyDad" data-source="post: 1137342" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137342" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137342">BizyDad said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> What problem are you actually solving? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Setting up authentication, databases, and other services can be time-consuming. I want to simplify the process for developers creating their own SAAS using Appwrite.</div>

 

[BizyDad]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 98816" data-quote="Ayush6543" data-source="post: 1137393" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137393" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137393">Ayush6543 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Setting up authentication, databases, and other services can be time-consuming. I want to simplify the process for developers creating their own SAAS using Appwrite. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> Aren&#039;t they capable of using appwrite themselves? <br /> <br /> And you said other people are already offering this service? <br /> <br /> So why should someone hire you? What are you bringing to the table that is more than just being a copy?</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 72777" data-quote="BizyDad" data-source="post: 1137399" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137399" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137399">BizyDad said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Aren&#039;t they capable of using appwrite themselves? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Yes, they can also develop solutions independently, but it&#039;s like hiring a window cleaner to clean my windows so I don&#039;t have to.<br /> <blockquote data-attributes="" data-quote="" data-source="" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> And you said other people are already offering this service?<br /> <br /> So why should someone hire you? What are you bringing to the table that is more than just being a copy? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>I think you misunderstood. I am selling a product that they can buy and use. There&#039;s no need for me.</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper">Just launched Spiralsaas on product hunt. <a href="https://www.producthunt.com/posts/spiralsaas" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">spiralsaas</a></div>

 

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[Cano]

<div class="bbWrapper">MJ and Bizydad said it already but let me answer your question &quot;What am i doing wrong?&quot;.<br /> <br /> <blockquote data-attributes="member: 98816" data-quote="Ayush6543" data-source="post: 1136999" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1136999" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1136999">Ayush6543 said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I discovered a gap where people are selling boilerplates without offering Appwrite integration.<br /> <br /> What am I doing wrong? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> How many people did you talked to (outside your own mind) that said to you &quot;YES, I NEED THAT!&quot;?<br /> <br /> Let me guess...<b>Zero? </b><br /> <br /> That means: You didn&#039;t discover a need, you didn&#039;t discover a gap, you dont even have ONE screaming potential customer.<br /> <br /> If you launch and you have not even one person that wants to use it to solve their problem. DON&#039;T BUILD IT.<br /> <br /> I&#039;m building a software business myself and before writing one line of code i contacted 20+ people in my target audience.<br /> <br /> Asked them in a call questions about their current processes, problems and explained a potential solution.<br /> <br /> 90% of them screamed &quot;I NEED THIS. Please tell me once its ready!&quot; and gave me a lot of feedback on the product.<br /> <br /> The list is growing everyday because i reach out to as many new people as i can that my tool can provide value to.<br /> <br /> We dont have a product yet, but i have <i>20+ people waiting to use it and pay us money</i>. Let that sink in.<br /> <br /> I had other products before where i did the same and had negativ feedback and realized they dont want it.<br /> <br /> Not always is the idea in your head a real problem to anyone. You need to realize this or you will fail a lot.<br /> <br /> -<br /> <br /> Conclusion: you find out if you product is solving a real problem <b>only by talking to other people</b>.</div>

 

[Cano]

<div class="bbWrapper"><a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/members/72777/" class="username" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" data-user-id="72777" data-username="@BizyDad">@BizyDad</a> i read a long time ago that you also build software for your agencys real estate clients.<br /> <br /> Do you mind sharing if you talked with you clients before you built your software product?<br /> <br /> &amp; how many interested ones did you had before you even had it ready? How big was your &quot;list&quot;?<br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/members/1/" class="username" data-xf-init="member-tooltip" data-user-id="1" data-username="@MJ DeMarco">@MJ DeMarco</a> how was it for you building goalsumo? <br /> <br /> I think it could be very valuable for others to see how important this step is (even after the books)</div>

 

[MJ DeMarco]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 109752" data-quote="Cano" data-source="post: 1137888" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1137888" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1137888">Cano said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> @MJ DeMarco how was it for you building <a href="https://goalsumo.com/?utm_source=TFFkw" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="nofollow ugc noopener">GoalSumo.com</a>? </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote><br /> I built what I would use and went from there.<br /> <br /> If I can&#039;t use it, I can&#039;t sell it.</div>

 

[Tilos]

<div class="bbWrapper">This. From above post. 100 %<br /> <br /> &quot;Conclusion: you find out if your product is solving a real problem <b>only by talking to other people</b>.&quot;</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper">Guys, I made a sale 2 days ago, but Lemon-Squeezy wouldn&#039;t let me withdraw it until it reached $50. <br /> <br /> <a href="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/attachments/pika-1726885783200-1x-webp.58736/" target="_blank"><img src="https://www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/data/attachments/55/55352-41dbe7744e29dcce8a36092743d538af.jpg?hash=VP_NYC9wIB" class="bbImage " style="" alt="pika-1726885783200-1x.webp" title="pika-1726885783200-1x.webp" width="382" height="200" loading="lazy" /></a><br /> <br /> I got another idea while promoting my product on Reddit. After posting in a few subreddits related to my niche, I realized that people on Reddit don&#039;t like promotional posts and consider them spam.<br /> However, some people were still promoting their business but not making it look like they were doing so. <br /> I am sure others like me would like to have a tool that would let them promote their products like pros and not be marked as spam. Has anyone experienced this problem?</div>

 

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[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper">Hey guys,<br /> <br /> It has been a while since I last posted; essentially, I am going to university now that my high school exams are over. Since Spiralsaas had only made two sales thus far, I made the decision to close it. Another project I am working on is <a href="https://chucklepost.com" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">chucklepost</a>. It is an AI content writer that has been trained on Reddit data to write viral posts and titles. All features have been developed, and I am awaiting approval from my payment processor. <br /> My marketing strategy to promote this product is:<br /> <br /> Content marketing:<br /> X.com (sharing progress, feature updates, development)<br /> Reddit (sharing the tool on different subreddits)<br /> TikTok (ai UGC )<br /> Youtube (ai UGC - Long form)<br /> Sharing the tool on different platforms: Product hunt, ai directories etc.<br /> <br /> I plan to get 10 customers within the first month. I charge $9 a month at the moment, and I hope to make $4 in net profit from each sale.</div>

 

[Acelewis]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 1" data-quote="MJ DeMarco" data-source="post: 1138204" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1138204" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1138204">MJ DeMarco said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> I built what I would use and went from there.<br /> <br /> If I can&#039;t use it, I can&#039;t sell it. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Can’t agree more. Using this method is what worked for me in the end. I needed a way of tracking my employees careers and projecting them out so that I could have succession planning working within the company. Only after loosing some key employees did I realise how critical that was. So I made a tool that I could use, then did some market research on who else needs it. if I couldn’t use it they would be no way that I could sell the value.</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper"><blockquote data-attributes="member: 111242" data-quote="Acelewis" data-source="post: 1167210" class="bbCodeBlock bbCodeBlock--expandable bbCodeBlock--quote js-expandWatch"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-title"> <a href="/community/goto/post?id=1167210" class="bbCodeBlock-sourceJump" rel="nofollow" data-xf-click="attribution" data-content-selector="#post-1167210">Acelewis said:</a> </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-content"> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandContent js-expandContent "> Can’t agree more. Using this method is what worked for me in the end. I needed a way of tracking my employees careers and projecting them out so that I could have succession planning working within the company. Only after loosing some key employees did I realise how critical that was. So I made a tool that I could use, then did some market research on who else needs it. if I couldn’t use it they would be no way that I could sell the value. </div> <div class="bbCodeBlock-expandLink js-expandLink"><a role="button" tabindex="0">Click to expand...</a></div> </div> </blockquote>Same with me, I didn&#039;t know how to go viral on Reddit. So I used popular posts to fine-tune an AI. By the way, I would love to know your marketing strategies. I only have $500. What should I do?</div>

 

[Ayush6543]

<div class="bbWrapper">The product is <a href="https://chucklepost.com" target="_blank" class="link link--external" rel="noopener">live</a>. Within a week, I hope to get my first five customers. My tactics include posting on Reddit and Twitter and sending cold direct messages.</div>