User Power
Value/Post Ratio
83%
- Sep 15, 2016
- 59
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I'm a 40s software dev in Chicago. I've been working a slow lane job as a consultant, building enterprise applications for corporations. My main expertise is full stack development and architecture, but in my spare time for the past few years I've been working on mobile apps in my spare time for enjoyment.
I'd like to turn my interest in mobile apps and my experience in the industry into a fast lane business. My main motivations are ... money, I'm tired of being dependent on a fixed salary for my income, I'd like the ability to radically increase my earning potential. And I'm tired of working for other people, eventually I'd like to quit my job and be my own boss.
I have a lot of expertise in IT, and don't want to go into a completely different field for my fast lane business. For this reason right now I'm putting my efforts into starting my own mobile app development studio. I'm doing a lot of my own coding right now, to cut down on expenses, but eventually I'd like to spend more time managing developers and focusing on marketing and business management. And I'm not against using outsourced contractors as a way to speed up development.
As I see it I can -
1) Develop my own ideas for apps that generate profit through 'freemium' model, or in app advertising. I know of a couple of devs who have a large number of profitable apps (20-30) in the app store that make in range of $30k-$40k annually.
2) I can use the apps that I release as a portfolio and start marketing my services as a 'mobile app dev studio for hire', writing apps for small businesses. I know of a couple of devs who charge $50 or so per hour and make a sizable side income working for various clients.
My short term goals are to get a solid portfolio together and establishing the company. My medium term goals are to grow my profits til I'm generating a sizable side income. My long term goal would be to quit my job and do this full time, hiring additional employees, and eventually focusing on running the company and letting others do the sales and dev work.
I guess I'm on this forum to learn. I feel like I have solid technical skills, but I am lacking in - business knowledge, and knowledge of sales and marketing. I am also lacking in truly great ideas for apps that I can totally get behind, I'm especially interested in process of how to generate good app ideas and validate them before beginning development.
Thanks. I appreciate any comments on my 'plan' from people who have gone down this road. Cheers.
I'd like to turn my interest in mobile apps and my experience in the industry into a fast lane business. My main motivations are ... money, I'm tired of being dependent on a fixed salary for my income, I'd like the ability to radically increase my earning potential. And I'm tired of working for other people, eventually I'd like to quit my job and be my own boss.
I have a lot of expertise in IT, and don't want to go into a completely different field for my fast lane business. For this reason right now I'm putting my efforts into starting my own mobile app development studio. I'm doing a lot of my own coding right now, to cut down on expenses, but eventually I'd like to spend more time managing developers and focusing on marketing and business management. And I'm not against using outsourced contractors as a way to speed up development.
As I see it I can -
1) Develop my own ideas for apps that generate profit through 'freemium' model, or in app advertising. I know of a couple of devs who have a large number of profitable apps (20-30) in the app store that make in range of $30k-$40k annually.
2) I can use the apps that I release as a portfolio and start marketing my services as a 'mobile app dev studio for hire', writing apps for small businesses. I know of a couple of devs who charge $50 or so per hour and make a sizable side income working for various clients.
My short term goals are to get a solid portfolio together and establishing the company. My medium term goals are to grow my profits til I'm generating a sizable side income. My long term goal would be to quit my job and do this full time, hiring additional employees, and eventually focusing on running the company and letting others do the sales and dev work.
I guess I'm on this forum to learn. I feel like I have solid technical skills, but I am lacking in - business knowledge, and knowledge of sales and marketing. I am also lacking in truly great ideas for apps that I can totally get behind, I'm especially interested in process of how to generate good app ideas and validate them before beginning development.
Thanks. I appreciate any comments on my 'plan' from people who have gone down this road. Cheers.
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