Update along with my 300th user!
v1.0.8 of How to Convert is out now!
Bringing the number of file conversions this tool can make from 2111 -> 2114
This update comes after loads of feedback that came with a flood of users from a post to Threads👇
For those that don't know: I made an app that converts almost any file to any other file locally. Coinciding with this update, I just crossed my 300th user!
It’s a universal file converter that performs conversions locally on your device.
There are plenty of file conversion sites, but when you use them, you’re sending your files and data to their servers.
I didn’t like that and I wanted to use local tools with a drag-and-drop app so non-programmers could use it.
We're getting one step closer to converting almost any file with one app. I'm building in public and adding support for more files as people request them!
Specifically, we:
- Added PDF to DOCX and ODT
- Added PDF to PPTX
- Added setup loading indicator and improve setup menu
- Fixed a LibreOffice conversion bug
Congrats on the milestone! 🎉 Quick question: do you plan to add support for more niche file formats, like certain image or audio types, in future updates? Keep up the awesome work!
Yeah, I'm adding file types as my users are suggesting them. It's been great for building a good interaction with my customers
This is super inspiring — congrats on the early traction! 🚀
I’m in an earlier stage with a tool I’m building (focused on helping people who manage messy Excel files), and right now I’m trying to better define my ICP. The hardest part so far has honestly been getting people to talk — even just short user interviews have been tough to land.
Any tips on how you got those initial users to engage and try the product? Would love to hear what worked for you!
I'm so happy to inspire someone else. That's very kind of you to say.
I would honestly recommend the build a simple one feature version of it where you users can give it an input and it gives the user the output to solve their problem.
Make a nice demo video with a tool like screen studio and then post it to subreddits like r/SideProject, on threads/X and on hacker news and see if people like it.
I've found people don't really care about just an idea. They want something real to test and if it helps them solve a problem that is a pain, they'll pay for it.
Build a prototype in less than a month, along with a landing page and pay button and just try and test it
Jake, this is awesome! How has user acquisition been?
Been quite good, especially on Reddit and Threads. I haven't had much luck on X or other social medias. SEO is starting to kick in now too, which is a great feeling after ~2 months of not ranking well
Nice, this is very cool! How’d you validate your idea? Did you make any mock ups or talk to any people, or did you just launch?
I thought of the idea because I have to convert a lot of media files for work and had friends and family always ask me how to convert certain files. I then checked whether people search for this using tools like ahrefs. It was a mix between my need and a need I see a lot of others have too.
I made my app a little different - it does the conversions without your files leaving your computer. And, I built it as fast as possible. I made a nice demo video and posted it to reddit, threads and hacker news. I found if it gets paying users at that point, with a scrappy prototype, then you know it's validated