Peter Ramsey of Built for Mars shares his journey from accidental consultancy to viral bank study. Topics include newsletter monetization, UX gamification, and content creation challenges. He discusses the diverse audience of Built for Mars, the future of online businesses, and his disdain for social media.
Peter Ramsey started Built for Mars accidentally, focusing on simplifying complex UX concepts for readers.
Ramsey prioritizes authenticity over rapid growth, refraining from traditional monetization methods like ads or paid newsletters.
Built for Mars aims to evolve into a structured tool catering to specific user needs for competitive research and tailored resources.
Deep dives
Peter Ramsey's Journey with Built for Mars
Peter Ramsey accidentally started Built for Mars in 2018 after the company he founded at university was acquired. Initially helping friends with UX projects, he later consulted for companies like Notion, Barna, and Stripe. The content library includes 70+ case studies on various topics like Domino's dark patterns and HBO Max's ratings.
Peter Ramsey on Creating Engaging Content
Ramsey enjoys creating content that simplifies complex UX concepts for readers. By connecting research and insights, he aims to provide clarity and make topics more relatable. His approach involves making seemingly dull topics engaging, as seen in his UX study of sending parcels and creating captivating explanations.
Balancing Content Creation and Consulting
After two years of consulting following his startup acquisition, Ramsey faced the challenge of showcasing his work to clients. This led to the expansion of Built for Mars with a focus on storytelling in the software realm. Ramsey's content creation methods aim to bring value to readers while juggling the balance between generating new ideas and completing existing projects.
Peter Ramsey's Approach to Monetization
Initially hesitant about introducing ads or paid subscriptions, Ramsey's focus is on ensuring authenticity and trust with his audience. By refraining from traditional monetization methods like ads or paid newsletters, he prioritizes sustainability and quality content creation over rapid growth. Ramsey's commitment lies in providing valuable content without compromising on integrity.
Future of Built for Mars
Ramsey envisions Built for Mars evolving into a structured tool rather than a traditional content subscription. The objective is to transform the platform into a curated ecosystem that guides users based on their specific needs. The future entails transitioning towards a productized tool for competitive research, catering to user demands effectively and providing tailored resources for in-depth understanding.
Building Sustainable Audience Engagement
Ramsey's focus on sustainability and genuine engagement sets Built for Mars apart, emphasizing quality over growth metrics. While considering possible paths for expansion, Ramsey remains committed to offering valuable content while maintaining the site as a tool for continuous learning and exploration for its users.
Today’s guest is Peter Ramsey. He runs Built for Mars, a UX consultancy and content library he started almost by accident after the company he founded during university was acquired in 2018. I was drawn both to his story and the undeniable quality of his content.
Peter is a rare type — an obsessively detailed researcher but not pedantic about it. He’s just as talented at spinning that research into fun, useful, and easy-to-digest narratives.
In this episode:
00:00 Who is Peter Ramsey and what is Built for Mars
05:30 The MrBeast of UX
09:47 Using every bank in the UK
13:19 Who are Built for Mars readers?
16:30 How Peter monetizes the newsletter
19:30 Is the website fantastic, or does it suck?
25:20 Why start a newsletter?
27:43 The stats
30:23 Peter’s most viral posts
31:40 Why Peter hates social media
33:38 The gamification of education sites/apps
38:11 The different types of written content
40:46 Growing an online business
47:00 The future of Built for Mars
Intro music produced by J. & Doug Organ.
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