How to start as an indie maker?
Hi there! I’m Alejandro, starting on this amazing journey to become an entrepreneur.
I have 6 years of experience as a full-stack developer and these days I can dedicate free time to make something.
I have a few ideas for websites and apps, but I lack experience in designing a full product, so I feel kind of lost right now.
I know I want to create an MVP to validate my ideas, but it’s hard to know where to start!
Do you know any good sites or comprehensive guides on how to get from software developer to maker?
Trending on Indie Hackers
The Indie Hackers platform just recently got a new section: Indie Hackers Start. There are many amazing resources there.
What I'd personally suggest: find your audience first. Find the people who you want to help. Make sure it's a niche that works for you. Figure out if they have critical problems you can solve for them. Think of solutions and validate them by talking to your audience. THEN, and only then, think about a product and an MVP.
As developers, we think product-first. But that is a problem, as you can see on Product Hunt: many products are looking for a market, but no one wants to use them. They don't solve a problem. If you go for audience -> problem -> solution -> product/MVP and validate on every step of the way, you will end up with a verified audience ready to pay for a validated solution to a critical problem when you're done building your MVP. If you don't, you'll end up with a product that may not help anyone and will make no money.
Ah yes, another resource you might like is awesome-indie.
@arvidkahl Thanks a lot for your words. What you describe sounds like the approach I'd love to practice from now on, getting out of the developer mindset of building something because it's cool or just because I can, and really create solutions to real problems.
But I couldn't have articulated it as clearly as you did!! I will be definitely reading all the links you added, thanks a lot!
Here is a great resource I think could help you: https://makebook.io/
It's by a fellow IndieHacker (Pieter Levels).
Great! Thanks a lot, I'll check it out!
The articles and podcasts on IH are invaluable. Dedicate some time to digging into that goldmine of information. You won’t regret it!
Hey thanks! Completely agree, I've been reading IndieHackers for a long time and it's great!
I was wondering if there is something out there like a complete guide... I know many of the steps and strategies that exist, but it's hard to see them as a coherent path to move forward.
This is a pretty good bird’s eye view of the process:
https://www.netsolutions.com/insights/how-to-build-an-mvp-minimum-viable-product-a-step-by-step-guide/
That's amazing! Really great overview, I'll be going deeper on each step for sure.
I loved this visualization of the process in particular: https://www.netsolutions.com/insights/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Design-thinking-Lean-UX-helps-to-build-an-MVP.jpg
Thanks a lot!
👍 No problem!
We built a developer tool, Hosted API's to develop your app for free, featured in Product Hunt, became #9 product of the day, got featured in Product Hunt Newsletter as well. https://www.producthunt.com/posts/json-api
https://www.producthunt.com/newsletter/6133
Congrats on the little step Alejandro!
Ideas are great, but it’s useless without execution. Try to find a problem you want to solve and a problem where you see others feel the same.
Regarding recourses, I would recommend Techstars Entrepreneurs Toolkit, or Design Sprint by Google Ventures.
All the best!
Thanks!!! I will check them out!
I think starting with what you know first is good so that the idea does not die. Do the iteration as you get into any problem. This may include learning the new skills or asking for help with things you don’t want to do yourselves.
Thanks for answering! Jumping into building has always been my approach, but today I have more time and I'm looking for some kind of guide or process, to map the way ahead and feel motivated.