The 10k Bootstrap Challenge

Re:The 10k Bootstrap Challenge by bignoggins on Wednesday May 16, 2012 @07:05PM (#3984533)

I haven't spent any money and barely any time on marketing. Development I did all the coding myself and eventually hired a graphic designer part time. The thing is I'm not usually on the Top 100 list (or even Top 300 for that matter), I just charge more for my apps (my price points are $3, $5, $8). That's the best kept secret of the app store. Sure the Top 100 apps make a ton of money, but there is a growing class of niche apps that can make just as much money by charging more and catering to a smaller niche audience.

My advice is to not create the next Angry Birds, but try and find a niche that is underserved and create a great app and charge as much as you can get away with. And get a great designer too, that's the best ROI I can think of.

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Re:The 10k Bootstrap Challenge by sayemm on Wednesday May 16, 2012 @08:10PM (#3984736)

I think it's very smart, and not just for the risk-averse and lazy... starting small and earning your first stripes as an entrepreneur may prove to be a solid stepping stone to pursue bigger ventures in the future, I think. And now that you're financially independent, you won't have to worry about money holding you back. Gabriel Weinberg (DuckDuckGo founder), Ben Milne (Dwolla founder), Nat Turner (Invite Media founder), the list goes on... were all proven bootstrapped entrepreneurs before they worked on their first venture-backed startup.

Congrats on your success, do you recommend any good books or resources for bootstrapping/marketing apps?

I'm a big fan of Rob Walling's book/blog.

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Re:The 10k Bootstrap Challenge by bignoggins on Wednesday May 16, 2012 @08:16PM (#3984750)

pretty much followed Rob's advice to the T

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Re:The 10k Bootstrap Challenge by sayemm on Wednesday May 16, 2012 @08:47PM (#3984827)

good to know! thanks

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