Luke launched his side project with Vue.js, Firebase and Stripe.
It took him about 8 months to teach himself everything and write all the code. For the most part it was fun because he learned a ton of new things about Single Page Applications.
Here's his lessons learned 👉🏽
It took him about 8 months to teach himself everything and write all the code. For the most part it was fun because he learned a ton of new things about Single Page Applications.
Here's his lessons learned 👉🏽
1. Cold emails work but…
As he wrote he sent emails to potential clients and asked them for feedback and presence in the directory. Cold emails work but from his experience out of 100 emails you Get 10% - 20% response.
As he wrote he sent emails to potential clients and asked them for feedback and presence in the directory. Cold emails work but from his experience out of 100 emails you Get 10% - 20% response.
2. When you start a side project you become: software developer, graphics designer, customer support, sales expert and accountant
This was something he wasn't thinking of but if you don’t have strong social skills it might be difficult at first to deal with all of these things.
This was something he wasn't thinking of but if you don’t have strong social skills it might be difficult at first to deal with all of these things.
3. Don't be a perfectionist
At the beginning he had a problem with that especially when it comes to the UI and front end. Eventually he realised that an app should be functional and bring value to users, it’s great when it also looks fine but it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece
At the beginning he had a problem with that especially when it comes to the UI and front end. Eventually he realised that an app should be functional and bring value to users, it’s great when it also looks fine but it doesn’t have to be a masterpiece
4. Automate the repetitive tasks early
Very important lesson. Try to automate as much as you can. It saves a lot of time.
Very important lesson. Try to automate as much as you can. It saves a lot of time.
5. Treat your side project as an experiment
Don't try to build the best app ever, just do your best, learn new things and gain experience.
Don't try to build the best app ever, just do your best, learn new things and gain experience.
6. Think of a problem, not an app or website
Luke has often asked himself: did he just build a product that doesn't solve any problem?
Luke has often asked himself: did he just build a product that doesn't solve any problem?
7. Starting a side project during global pandemic is hard
This might be a reason why he couldn’t monetize his idea. Many companies decided to cut marketing and advertising funds during pandemic and his business model was based on those funds.
This might be a reason why he couldn’t monetize his idea. Many companies decided to cut marketing and advertising funds during pandemic and his business model was based on those funds.
