Solos

🚀 Discover how Philipp Keller, a 46-year-old side project builder, turned his SEO knowledge into a thriving indie hacker success story!In this episode, we dive deep into Philipp's journey with SEO Kickstarter, a Notion-based guide that helps indie makers boost their SEO. Learn how he:• Started with a shared flat platform and discovered the power of backlinks• Launched SEO Kickstarter and made $3,500 in just 24 hours• Balances a full-time job, family life, and side projects• Leveraged his 9-to-5 experience for indie hacker success• Overcame burnout and found renewed energy through exercise🔑 Key takeaways:The importance of starting with B2C projects to learnHow to communicate your product effectively's valueThe power of honest and open communication in salesBalancing work, life, and side projects as an older indie hackerLinks: 👉 Follow Philipp on Twitter: https://x.com/philkellr👉 Check out SEO Kickstarter: https://backl.io/directory Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 02:14 Starting as an Indie Maker 05:16 Challenges of Balancing Work and Side Projects 07:17 Discovering the Importance of Backlinks and SEO 09:06 Building Backlinks through Cold Email Outreach 19:21 Lessons Learned and Success Achieved 32:55 Automated Outreach and Messaging Strategy 40:13 The Importance of Marketing and Communication 46:45 Internal Marketing for Customer Retention 53:58 The Challenges and Importance of Marketing 01:05:06 The Benefits of Working in a 9-to-5 Job 01:07:59 Confidence and Transparency in Sales 01:12:04 Overcoming Struggles and Maintaining a Positive Mindset 01:18:06 Exploring the Benefits of Microdosing 01:23:47 The Philosophy of Free Will

🚀 Discover how Thomas Sanlis turned a simple directory for front-end developers into a thriving indie business! In this episode, we dive deep into Thomas' journey with Uneed, a platform that helps developers launch and showcases their products. Learn about: ✅ The origins of Uneed as a side project to test Nuxt.js ✅ How Thomas grew Uneed to generate $1,500-$2,000 per month ✅ The power of programmatic SEO in driving traffic and growth ✅ Balancing teaching and entrepreneurship ✅ The challenges of social media and dealing with criticism ✅ Key lessons learned on the indie hacker journey Thomas shares valuable insights on persistence, learning to delegate, and the importance of "thinking less, doing more" in the world of indie hacking. Whether you're a developer, aspiring entrepreneur, or just curious about the indie maker journey, this episode is packed with actionable advice and inspiration. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! #IndieHacking #SideProjects #Entrepreneurship #WebDevelopment Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:30 Evolution of UNIID 13:24 Teaching and Side Projects 17:43 The Power of Programmatic SEO 22:14 Automating UNIID and Building Passive Income 28:33 Launching New Projects and Embracing Challenges 32:00 Coding on Paper and the Importance of Creativity 36:15 Patience and the Indie Hacking Journey 44:52 Believing in Yourself and Overcoming Doubt 57:55 The Importance of Taking Action and Doing 01:05:41 Delegating and Focusing on the Big Picture 01:07:40 Connect with Thomas Sarlis on Twitter Links: - https://uneed.best - His twitter: https://x.com/T_Zahil

Join us for an inspiring chat with Andrei, an indie hacker extraordinaire! 🎉 🔍 Discover Andrei's entrepreneurial path: Building websites as a high school teen 👨‍💻 Learning from failures (hello, web dev agency!) 📚 Exploring side hustles in affiliate marketing and e-commerce 💼 Creating a million-dollar homepage for crypto 💰 🤖 Dive into Andrei's latest venture: Taft, an AI aggregator! Challenges of scaling a business The power of AI newsletters How AI is revolutionizing software development Plus, we explore: 📧 AI's impact on email marketing 🔧 Building Chrome extensions with AI 🔮 The future of AI tools and job markets 🗣️ Don't miss our chat about: AI managers: The future of objective decision-making? Voice chat with ChatGPT for emotional processing Apple Vision Pro: Revolutionary or just hype? 💡 Indie hacker wisdom: The importance of monitoring and notifications Why bootstrapping beats VC funding Allocating marketing budgets for success 🎙️ Memorable quote: "Only the brave" - Andrei's mantra for indie hackers Links: - His Website: http://taaft.com - His Twitter: https://x.com/imakecoolsites - Mine: https://x.com/martindonadieu - Capgo: https://capgo.app Ready to level up your indie hacker game? This episode is packed with insights you can't miss! 🔥 👍 Like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell for more indie hacker inspiration! 🔔 #IndieHacker #AITechnology #Entrepreneurship #StartupJourney

In this episode, we dive deep into Alexander Isora's fascinating journey as a maker! 💡 🔍 Discover how Alexander went from selling newspapers as a kid to creating successful SaaS products 🎯 Learn why niche-down tools are the secret sauce to building a thriving business 🌟 Explore the power of building in public and leveraging communities like IndieHackers We also chat about: 📊 The magic of side projects and free tools for attracting users 📱 Brainstorming ideas for Martin's mobile app builder platform, CapGo 📜 The potential of displaying changelogs in apps and creating a changelog directory 🖼️ Alexander's side project, SaaS Pages - a stunning showcase of website screenshots Plus, don't miss our discussions on: 💰 Finding purpose beyond money in your projects 💼 Pricing strategies and making products accessible 🏡 Our dreams of building sustainable villages 🌍 The importance of seeing the good in others Packed with valuable insights, this episode is a must-watch for aspiring makers and seasoned entrepreneurs alike! 🎉 Links: 📺 Check out Alexander's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@alexanderisorax 🐦 Follow him on Twitter for more wisdom: https://x.com/alexanderisorax 👽 Check Alexander's SaaS: https://paracast.io/ Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit that notification bell to stay updated on more inspiring maker stories! 🔔 Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Alexander's Journey as a Maker 15:37 Creating Unicorn Platform and the Power of Niche Down Tools 23:46 Using Side Projects as Free Tools for Growth 28:08 Brainstorming Ideas for Free Tools in the Mobile App Builder Space 33:54 Changelogs and Interesting Examples 38:32 SaaS Pages: Showcasing Beautiful Screenshots 41:50 Finding Purpose Beyond Money 49:27 Pricing and Revenue Optimization 53:38 Making CapGo Affordable and Accessible 01:03:36 Building Relationships with Other Companies 01:04:26 Navigating the Challenges of Companies and Investors 01:07:27 Building a Village and Embracing a Natural Lifestyle 01:09:24 Seeing the Good in People and Avoiding Labels 01:12:08 The Effort Behind Creating Content on YouTube 01:31:14 Supporting the Podcast: Rate and Review

John Rush shares his journey from bootstrapping startups to entering the VC world and eventually discovering the joy of bootstrapping again. He discusses the challenges and drawbacks of the VC world, such as the pressure to have a large team and the need to constantly raise money. He also reflects on his experiences as an angel investor and the lessons he learned from his investments. John emphasizes the importance of being passionate about the work you do and the value of having a strong family and community. The conversation explores the satisfaction and fulfillment that comes from creating products that bring value and happiness to users. The speakers discuss the joy they feel when users express gratitude for their products and how it motivates them to continue improving. They also touch on the importance of solving real problems and making a positive impact. The conversation delves into the advantages of bootstrapping and the potential of the bootstrap world to compete with VC-backed startups. They envision a future where open source and micro-SaaS tools thrive, allowing for specialization and innovation. They also discuss the idea of implementing a royalty system for open-source projects. The conversation explores the potential for increased innovation and faster evolution in software development. The guests discuss the benefits of open-source collaboration and the ability to quickly adjust and improve existing software. They highlight the importance of finding meaning and purpose in one's work, and the value of owning and creating something. They also touch on the negative effects of sedentary computer work and the need for a balanced lifestyle. The conversation concludes with a discussion on building products for future trends rather than past trends. The conversation concludes with a discussion about the importance of creating a community focused on making and producing rather than consuming. The concept of the Indie Maker Village is introduced as a place where the mainstream agenda is centered around creation. The conversation also touches on the negative effects of excessive consumption and the need to limit access to cheap dopamine. The benefits of open-source projects and the trustworthiness of bootstrapped companies are highlighted. The importance of enjoying the journey and finding happiness in the process rather than solely focusing on the outcome is emphasized. The episode ends with a recommendation for the next guest and the invitation for listeners to reach out with feedback or questions. Links: → Marsx.dev → Unicornplatform.com website builder. → Devhunt.org Open Source PH alternative for dev tools → SeoBotAI.com SEO on 100% autopilot. zero actions needed. → Listingbott.com lists a tool on up to 1000 directories with 1 click for traffic/backlinks → AllGPTs.co most popular custom GPT directory in the world → filmgrail.com cinema SaaS platform. Powers cinemas on all continents, processing over $50M in ticket sales a year → lorem.space image placeholder api → marketsy.ai e-commerce and marketplaces powered by AI → uigenerator.org generate UI mockups for your website → cofondr.com cofounder as a service for busy solo makers → indexrusher.com index your new pages really fast, in just hours → saasemailer.com dead simple emailers/CRM for solo makers → nextjsstarter.com directory of all NextJS starters and boilerplates → startupstools.com startup tools used by famous makers → osssoftware.org vetted OSS alternatives for the tool you pay for - https://capgo.app - https://solos.ventures Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:16 From Bootstrapping to the VC World 08:48 Discovering the Value of Bootstrapping 12:16 The Importance of Honesty in Business 15:19 The Challenges of Investing 28:22 The Value of Passion and Building 28:49 Creating Value and Happiness for Users 34:19 The Motivation of User Gratitude 43:34 The Advantages of Bootstrapping 52:28 The Potential of the Bootstrap World 57:11 The Rise of Open Source and Micro-SaaS 01:00:13 Incentivizing Collaboration with Royalties 01:03:04 Accelerating Innovation 01:05:38 The Power of Collaboration 01:09:18 Helping Each Other Out 01:13:34 Finding Meaning in Work 01:16:55 Balancing Work and Life 01:21:09 Building for the Future 01:35:45 Creating a Community of Makers 01:37:12 The Negative Effects of Excessive Consumption 01:42:23 The Importance of Enjoying the Journey 02:02:46 Invitation for Feedback and Questions

Summary Dan Kulkov shares his journey as an entrepreneur, from building indie products with his wife to focusing on AI wrappers around marketing. He discusses the challenges and lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of customer support and the value of niche-focused products. The conversation also delves into the dynamics of working as a couple and the mindset of growth in startups. The conversation covers various topics related to product development, marketing, AI tools, and the use of no-code/low-code platforms. It delves into the importance of understanding user needs, the value of research, and the significance of asking the right questions. The discussion also explores the business model of Founderpal and the challenges and benefits of using AI and no-code tools in product development. The conversation covers topics such as product focus, marketing strategies, pricing, and traffic generation. Dan Kulkov shares insights on building a second paid product, the importance of email collection, and the significance of marketing funnels. He also discusses the limitations of relying on Twitter and Product Hunt for marketing, and the value of SEO in the early stages of a product. Links: - https://founderpal.ai - https://makerbox.club - https://smooz.co - https://x.com/DanKulkov - https://capgo.app - https://solos.ventures

Summary Elston shares his journey from being a software engineer to becoming a successful solo entrepreneur. He discusses his early projects, the challenges he faced, and the strategies he employed to achieve success. The conversation also delves into the importance of marketing, the role of SEO, and the value of releasing features in beta. Elston emphasizes the need for iterative development and the significance of user feedback in product improvement. The conversation covers a range of topics including user experience, product development, project management, startup experiences, and the importance of bootstrapping. It delves into the challenges and insights of building and managing software products, as well as the significance of user feedback and market validation. The conversation also explores the dynamics of exiting a project, the impact of VC funding, and the value of building niche, bootstrapped businesses. Additionally, it highlights the role of expertise and interest in driving successful product development. The conversation covers topics related to revenue optimization, the introduction of free plans, the importance of mentorship, and the significance of community in entrepreneurship. It also delves into the concept of IndieMaker journey and the value of finding a mentor who is slightly ahead of you. The conversation concludes with a discussion on favorite quotes and recommendations for future podcast guests. Links: - https://x.com/_baretto - https://tiiny.host/ - https://x.com/RamenClubHQ - https://capgo.app - https://solos.ventures Chapters 00:00 Navigating User Experience and Product Development 52:10 The Dynamics of Startup Experiences and Project Exit 59:52 The Impact of VC Funding and Bootstrapping in Niche Businesses 01:03:46 Optimizing Revenue and Free Plans 01:13:04 The Power of Mentorship and Community in Entrepreneurship 01:13:49 IndieMaker Journey and Founder Vision 01:24:50 Favorite Quotes and Future Podcast Guests

Nico Jinen shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting from selling Steam keys in middle school to running a successful Minecraft server and eventually becoming an app developer. He emphasizes the importance of creating something useful and valuable to customers, rather than focusing solely on making money. Nico also discusses his decision to drop out of college and pursue entrepreneurship, despite initial resistance from his parents. He highlights the significance of finding a unique advantage and specializing in a specific niche to stand out in the market. Martin shares his experience of attending a school that focused on practical skills rather than traditional classes. He discusses the high cost of education in France and the lack of teachers at his school. Nico reflects on his own experience of starting a WordPress website company without any marketing knowledge. They both discuss the importance of learning from failures and the mindset of entrepreneurs. They also talk about the challenges of being perceived as arrogant when sharing successes and the importance of learning from others. In this final part of the conversation, Martin and Nico discuss the importance of community and connection on Twitter, the challenges of being an entrepreneur, and Nico's current project, TalkNotes. They also touch on the topic of spammy DMs and the value of specialization in products. Nico shares his plans to sell TalkNotes and potentially start a productized agency focused on advertising. They end the conversation with a discussion on the power of creativity in entrepreneurship and share some interesting examples of unique businesses. Links: - https://Makerads.guide : “Facebook ads for SaaS” - https://SalesPopup.io - https://Jeannen.com - https://youtube.com/@Jeannen - https://talknotes.io/ - https://capgo.app - https://solos.ventures 00:00 Introduction and Name Confusion 07:27 Starting a Minecraft Server and Selling In-Game Items 09:53 Dropping Out of College and Starting a Web Development Business 14:34 The Power of Creating Something Useful and Valuable 16:18 Finding a Unique Advantage and Specializing in a Niche 28:12 Dropping Out of College: A Risk Worth Taking 32:24 Practical Skills vs Traditional Education 37:11 Learning from Failures and Having a Growth Mindset 41:33 The Challenges of Perceived Arrogance 48:32 The Importance of Marketing and Creativity in Entrepreneurship 53:44 Not Getting Emotionally Attached to a Product 01:02:41 The Value of Networking on Twitter 01:06:48 The Power of Community and Connection on Twitter 01:13:52 The Challenges of Being an Entrepreneur 01:19:32 Selling TalkNotes and Starting a Productized Agency 01:25:00 The Value of Specialization in Products 01:28:15 Creativity and Unique Business Ideas

OMG, you guys won't believe what I just recorded on this podcast episode! 😍 I was totally geeking out as I interviewed tech entrepreneur Peter about his journey in entrepreneurship, his experiences with startups, and his current project, Pineapple Builder. 🤖 It's an AI website builder for busy business owners - how cool is that?! 🤯 And get this, we even talked about money and how our upbringing can influence our mindset towards it. Crazy, right? 💰 But it was so interesting to hear our different perspectives. We covered a ton of topics, like Twitter tactics and the importance of flexibility and iteration in entrepreneurship. Plus, we talked about the limitations of AI and the benefits of open source. 🤔 And let's not forget the importance of reducing decision-making in our lives - I definitely need to work on that! The best part was when we talked about reflecting on our actions and learning from failures. It was such a great reminder that we all make mistakes, but it's how we handle them that really matters. 💪 Overall, this episode was a total blast and I can't wait to listen to more! 🎉 Links: https://CapGo.app : update system for capacitor apps https://CapTime.app : crossfit timer for people doing crossfit at home https://www.pineapplebuilder.com/ : ultra MVP of a project builder https://www.indiehackers.com/podcastshttps://OpenAI.com

Hey there! So, in this awesome podcast episode, I got to interview Matt, who is an amazing Indie maker. He shared his journey as a developer and his experience building Shopify apps. It was so cool to hear about how he started coding at a young age and pursued a classic French path to become an engineer. Matt was super honest about his failures and successes in building Shopify apps and even gave some great advice to aspiring entrepreneurs. We talked about the importance of tracking data, understanding metrics, and mitigating risks when building on top of a platform like Shopify. Matt also emphasized the importance of starting small, focusing on solving a specific problem, and staying up-to-date with the platform's updates and trends. Overall, it was a super fun and informative conversation! Links: The Mom Test book: https://www.momtestbook.com/ Mixpanel.com Crisp.com Landingai.com Shopify.com Wide Bundle: https://apps.shopify.com/widebundle

Hey there! So, in this awesome podcast episode, I got to interview Lillian, a super cool 21-year-old computer science student and part-time developer at a startup. We talked about her background, experiences working in a startup, and her journey as a solo project creator. It was so interesting to hear about the challenges of working in a corporate environment and the benefits of being a solo creator. Lillian even shared some tips on keeping organizational structures simple - so helpful! We also got to chat about some of her amazing projects, like creating an NFT marketplace and monetizing her Twitter automation tool. And let me tell you, the technical aspects of Side Bird are seriously impressive. We even talked about conversion rates and analytics tools - so much to learn! But, of course, we also talked about the importance of taking breaks. Gotta keep that work-life balance in check, am I right? Overall, it was such an informative and engaging conversation, and I think everyone can take something valuable away from it. Links: Cloudflare workers: Superbase: https://supabase.com Ionic: https://ionic.com Capacitor: https://capacitor.com Capgo: https://capgo.app Lending AI: https://landing-ai.com Split Bee (conversion optimization tool): https://splitbee.io/ Charge Bee (payment tool): https://www.chargebee.com/ Logsnag (analytics tool) : https://logsnag.com/

In this podcast episode, I discuss various topics related to my product, Capgo, and my experiences with open source and the Ionic community. I talk about my struggles with monetization and my decision to switch from Ionic to Capacitor and Konsa UI. I also share my strategy for growing Capgo and my belief in open source.I discuss my recent experiences with my projects, including my experimentation with GPT-4 and my struggles with translating a React library to Vue.js. I also invite feedback on my new landing page for Capgo and encourage listeners to continue improving their communication skills.Links:https://capgo.app

Hey there, I am so excited to share with you this podcast episode where I had the pleasure of interviewing Giancarlo, a software engineer who shared his inspiring journey with us. As a fellow software engineer, I was thrilled to hear about his transition from working for big companies to becoming an independent contractor and building his own solo product. Giancarlo also shared his experience with learning English as a non-native speaker and how crucial it is to know English as a software engineer. I couldn't agree more with him on this point. He also gave some valuable advice on using templates and shortcuts for makers and not overthinking future problems. We also discussed the future of engineering and the importance of marketing oneself as a developer. It was an eye-opening conversation that left me feeling motivated and inspired. Finally, we talked about the importance of building a supportive community as a solo maker. This is something that resonated with me deeply, and I hope it does the same for you. Overall, this was an incredible episode that I am thrilled to share with you. So, grab your headphones and get ready to be inspired! Important links:  Where to find him: Twitter His projects: Makerkit Formtoro Youtube : https://youtu.be/UmBQpgyhCJo Podcast:

I'm so excited to share with you this amazing podcast episode where I had the chance to chat with Julian, a French entrepreneur, about his journey in entrepreneurship and the lessons he has learned along the way. Julian is such an inspiring person, and we talked about his past projects, including a train ticket marketplace and a food delivery app, as well as his current project, Notion Forms. We also touched on some interesting topics such as language learning, pricing strategies, building on top of another tool, customer support, and the importance of embracing uncertainty in pursuing one's goals. I learned so much from our conversation, and I'm sure you will too. Overall, this podcast episode provides valuable insights into the challenges and rewards of entrepreneurship. Julian's story is a true testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and a willingness to take risks. I hope you enjoy listening to it as much as I did! Important links:  https://notionforms.io/https://quicklinks.chat/https://capgo.app/ Youtube : https://youtu.be/raSvFV2wgeA Podcast: Timestamps: 01:11:08 - Julian shares his advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, including the importance of starting small, validating your idea, and being persistent. 01:12:54 - We discuss the importance of networking and building relationships in the startup world. 01:14:29 - Julian talks about his future plans for Notion Forms, including expanding to other platforms and integrating with other tools. 01:16:08 - We discuss the importance of staying up-to-date with technology and trends in the industry. 01:18:02 - Julian shares his thoughts on the future of technology and the potential for AI and automation to change the way we work.

Last week, I was supposed to do a solo episode, but I didn't because I was on vacation in Bangkok and India!   The trip was full of adventure, and I ended up spending way more money than I planned, so now I need to focus on making some cash.   I've published my prices to help people build the capacitor app, and I'm hoping to get some clients on the side to live more abundantly.   I also did some marketing, including creating some wonderful new screenshots using a Figma template made by a friend. So, that's what's been happening in my life lately - lots of travel, work, and fun! YouTube version :  https://youtu.be/8U3tuj52SC4 Podcast version: https://solos.ventures/episode/adventures-across-continents-from-bali-to-india-to-paris-a-solo-podcast-update  Important links:  My twitter: https://twitter.com/martindonadieu  Capgo: https://capgo.app Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️ Join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakers Know more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures/

This week, I welcome Luca. He got recommended in a twitter post, I discovered his twitter tool and started using it soon after. It was interesting to chat with him about the different strategy to start and how you can potentially quit your 9 to5 at one point.   YouTube version : https://youtu.be/603R6QIxLO0Important links: His twitter:   https://twitter.com/ikoichi Hivoe — Twitter Leads Generation Platform http://hivoe.com Inboxs — Twitter DM CRM & Productivity Inbox  http://inboxs.io  Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️ join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakersKnow more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures

This week, I welcome Marc. I meet him by twitter and his good marketing strategy. so, the evidence was to ask him his secret about it, the first part of the podcast is linked to his path as a maker, who shaped who he is now. YouTube version : https://youtu.be/rcmAnomI1rI Important links: His twitter:  https://twitter.com/marc_louvion https://HabitsGarden.com https://GamifyList.com   https://decisiongame.co/   https://50Hacks.co https://VisualizeHabit.com   https://DecisionGame.co https://BooksCalculator.com https://Mood2Movie.com Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️ join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakers Know more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures/

This week I share my personal experience on bug and downtime and how I handle it. I also shared the vision for the future of my project, Capgo and the strategy to growth. YouTube version :  https://youtu.be/e82Y0q1qGDI  Important links: My twitter:  https://twitter.com/martindonadieu Capgo: https://capgo.app Status page: https://status.capgo.app/ Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️ join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakers Know more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures/

For this second episode in duo, I welcome the most productive solo maker of all time! Shayan is a solopreneur, bootstrapping Logsnag his own startup while sharing his mistakes and learnings on Twitter.  I had chance to talk multiple time with him on Discord, since we are both user to our own SaaS.  We had many conversions about design and marketing, so I asked him to come in the podcast to shared it publicly. Enjoy this episode as I enjoyed it, and don't forget to send him a few words at the end that help us know sharing our journey help others. YouTube version : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJesPkW6E9A Important links: His twitter: https://twitter.com/ImSh4yy Logsnag: https://logsnag.com/ Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️ join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakers Know more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures/

 Hello makers,  It's time for a second episode in solo !  I will share in this episode:  - My insecurities with money as solo maker  - The tech choices I made to build my new project https://aiholiday.cards in 5 days - What I optimized in https://capgo.app to have better SEO and get big clients - Presentation of Mimesis, an old app of mine who got many downloads for Christmas just with ASO and world or mouth And some surprise for next episode! Erratum: - it's not 3 000 euro of cost but 300, I'm still struggling with numbers in English Links: - https://logsnag.com/ Thanks for listening 🧞‍♂️, join the solos makers community : https://t.me/solosmakers Know more about me : https://martin.solos.ventures/