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An update on my challenge
Last time I mentioned I’d been feeling stuck and really wanted to just launch something without overthinking it.
So I set myself a 4-week challenge to choose an idea, Build it, Launch it, And Monetise it (get a couple of paying users). “The BLAM Challenge” for short.
I’ve got until 8th October to launch my MVP.
And until 22nd October to find at least 3 paying customers.
An added bonus is after asking in my last newsletter, 12 people came forward who are also doing the challenge with me. We have a nice little Whatsapp group where we support and motivate each other.
It’s great to meet other makers 🙂
Choosing an idea
The idea I settled on was something I personally need. Or at least, I think I do.
It’s a way to automate the gathering of interviews for newsletters and blogs.
The problem: If you run a newsletter which features regular interviews, you spend a lot of time chasing people asking them to complete a Google Doc interview. I know because I’ve run a few of these newsletters.
The solution: A kind of CRM for interviews. Create an interview template. Add in a bunch of interviewee targets. The app sends them emails and reminders until they complete the interview. Then it gets the interview ready for you to publish.
It’s not one of my favourite ideas.
In fact it ignores several of my idea selection criteria:
- It’s not B2B
- It’s not something I’ve seen anyone asking for
- I’ve never heard of any competitors (always a bad sign)
In fact it’s completely unvalidated. I even spoke to my friend Katt who writes the newsletter NoCode Exits.
She faces the exact problems I listed above.
But even Katt didn’t seem very excited about it.
I know I know.
But I genuinely think this tool will be useful for me! I have a few websites which I want to start interview-based blogs for, and this will help me.
So even if nobody else uses it, I will.
A potential second use-case: Case studies
It’s funny how as soon as you settle on an idea, your brain comes to the rescue with all kinds of confirmation bias.
My brain conceived of a potential pivot: Automated case study interviews for businesses, which can be repurposed with AI into blog posts, newsletters, how-to guides, and testimonials.
This would make it a B2B app… the best kind.
Sounds great, right?
Maybe not…
Today I spoke to two business founders who have case studies on their website. I asked about their process for getting them.
Both said they get them from trusted customers who they have a relationship with. They organise an interview over a video call.
Both said the quality of the case study is more important than the quantity.
Both said the video call was a valuable experience for them and the customer, and not something they’d want to dispense with.
Essentially they both said they’re pretty happy with the way they do it now.
Damn.
Still, I’m very glad I had these discussions now instead of later.
And 2 founders is not a statistically significant sample.
But it is a bit of a motivation dampener.
The build is going well
I’ve spent 8hrs 18mins building the app and the functionality is working fairly well so far!
I’ve also really enjoyed the build process… it’s like taking my brain to the gym (except unlike the gym, I actually enjoy this workout).
Here’s a sneak peek video update of the build so far, bugs included!
Overall I think I’m on track to launch something by the deadline of 8th October.
And I will be using it myself which will be a great way to iron out any bugs.
More BLAM challenges?
I’m finding giving myself these short deadlines is really helping my motivation and productivity.
Rushing to choose an idea is not a great tactic but it’s served its purpose this time as I need this app.
Next time I’ll spend longer choosing and researching the idea, but timeboxing the build is going to be an ongoing thing.
Maybe you can join next time?
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