Indie Founder

Have you ever wondered what it's like to sell or acquire a company in the indie scene? In this podcast episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing Simon, the founder of Feedhive, and Yossi, the founder of Tiny Kiwi, as they discuss the acquisition of Tiny Kiwi by Feedhive. We delve into the process of selling and acquiring a company in the indie market, as well as the benefits and challenges of being an indie entrepreneur. We also touch on the importance of balancing work and personal life. Tune in for valuable insights into the world of indie entrepreneurship and the potential for growth in the market.Simon's TwitterYossi's TwitterLinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsIntroduction [00:00:12]The host introduces the guests, Simon and Yossi, and explains that they will be discussing the acquisition of Tiny Kiwi by Feedier.Selling a company in the indie scene [00:02:32]The host and Yossi discuss the market of selling a company in the indie scene and how it differs from the startup and VC scene.Yossi's background and shift to indie hacking [00:05:36]Yossi talks about his background as a developer and his shift to indie hacking, inspired by the Building Public community on Twitter.Indie Founder Stories [00:10:13]The speakers discuss the toxic starts of good founder stories and the importance of setting your own rules as an indie founder.Managing Work Addiction [00:14:53]The speakers discuss the potential for work addiction as an indie founder and how they manage their work-life balance.Description of Tiny Kiwi [00:18:00]Simon describes Tiny Kiwi as a minimalistic and easy-to-use image editing tool for creating beautiful designs quickly.Building Tiny Kiwi [00:18:51]Yossi describes the inspiration behind building Tiny Kiwi as a tool for indie developers to share beautiful screenshots of their work quickly and with more control.Selling Tiny Kiwi [00:21:11]Yossi explains how he decided to sell Tiny Kiwi to Feedier after realizing he no longer had the time to work on it. He also discusses his lack of experience in selling companies.Attachment to Products [00:25:24]Yossi and Simon discuss the emotional attachment that comes with building and selling a product, as well as the different levels of attachment when buying a product. They also discuss the impact of having paying customers on the attachment to a product.The Canva Integration [00:27:55]Simon and Yossi discuss their failed attempts to integrate Canva into Feedier and their search for an alternative tool, which led them to Kello/Vista Create.Brand Bird Integration [00:32:14]The founders discuss their experience integrating Brand Bird into Feedier and the challenges they faced with users having to pay for the tool separately.Acquiring Tiny Kiwi [00:34:39]Simon and Yossi discuss the acquisition of Tiny Kiwi by Feedier and how it solved a problem for Feedier's image creation tool.Trust in the Acquisition [00:36:37]Yossi and Simon discuss the process of selling and acquiring a company in the indie scene, and the importance of trust in the process.Code Quality Concerns [00:38:09]Yossi expresses concerns about the quality of his code and the potential for negative feedback from Simon, while Simon discusses his expectations for the tech stack and code quality.Importance of Code Manageability [00:43:09]Simon discusses the importance of code manageability and compatibility with his team's tech stack, while also acknowledging the functionality and usability of Tiny Kiwi's code.Tech stack for indie makers [00:46:11]Yossi discusses the tech stack used for Tiny Kiwi, including Next.js with React, JavaScript, and Superbase, and how it was deployed on Digital Ocean.Choosing a tech stack for acquisition [00:49:33]Simon and the host discuss the importance of choosing a tech stack that is matchable and easy to migrate when acquiring a company, and the advice for indie makers building products to consider using a generic tech stack.Due diligence in the acquisition process [00:52:02]Yossi talks about the due diligence process in the acquisition, including sharing access to the Github repository and the nervousness he felt about showing the actual code.The Sale Process [00:53:52]Yossi and Simon discuss the process of selling and acquiring a company in the indie scene, including the potential for deal breakers and the excitement of the experience.Managing Multiple Priorities [00:57:43]Simon discusses the stress of managing multiple priorities, including the acquisition of Tiny Kiwi, while also launching a new tool and dealing with personal life events.Indie Community and Acquisitions [01:02:11]The host discusses the increasing trend of indie companies being sold for large sums of money and what it means for the indie community.The Indie Market [01:02:58]Discussion on the indie market of selling and buying side projects, including marketplaces like MicroAcquire and Site Projects, and the potential for indie makers to build and sell profitable products.Acquiring Tiny Kiwi [01:06:22]Simon discusses the process of acquiring Tiny Kiwi, including the challenge of transferring subscriptions from Paddle to Stripe, and the value of the acquisition even if the company was not profitable.The Future of Indie Acquisitions [01:08:34]Simon and Yossi discuss the evolution of the indie community and the potential for small bootstrapped indie companies to acquire other small bootstrap tools, pointing towards a future where indie acquisitions become more common.The Indie Community [01:12:56]The host discusses the indie community and its growth, mentioning some well-known names in the community.Selling and Acquiring Companies [01:12:07]Simon and Yossi discuss the process of selling and acquiring a company in the indie scene.Consider Selling Your Project [01:14:38]The host encourages listeners to consider selling their projects if they are feeling tired or want to build something else, and mentions platforms that allow for selling SaaS.Links & MentionsGithub Gist (mentioned by Simon at 00:41:37)Symfony (mentioned by Tiago at 00:46:11)Next.js with React (mentioned by Yossi at 00:46:20)JavaScript (mentioned by Yossi at 00:46:20)Database and authentication with Superbase (mentioned by Yossi at 00:46:20)Plausible for analytics (mentioned by Yossi at 00:46:20)Digital Ocean (mentioned by Yossi at 00:46:40)AWS (mentioned by Simon at 00:47:06)Google Cloud Platform (mentioned by Simon at 00:47:06)Palomi (mentioned by Simon at 00:47:06)GraphQL (mentioned by Simon at 00:47:06)Firebase (mentioned by Simon at 00:47:06)TypeScript (mentioned by Simon at 00:49:03)Svelte (mentioned by Simon at 00:51:29)Micro Acquire (marketplace for buying and selling companies) - mentioned at 01:02:58Site Projects IO (marketplace for buying and selling side projects) - mentioned at 01:02:58Paddle (tool for managing subscriptions) - mentioned at 01:06:22Stripe (tool for managing payments) - mentioned at 01:06:22Upwork (platform for outsourcing work) - mentioned at 01:09:25Fiverr (platform for outsourcing work) - mentioned at 01:09:25

Have you ever wondered if remote work is as productive as working from an office? In this podcast episode, I, Tiago, an indie hacker and entrepreneur, share my experience with remote work and the benefits of working from a co-working space with my co-founder, João. I believe that remote work can be productive, but it depends on the type of work and how long you are doing it. In my opinion, a hybrid mode of work could be the best balance. I also discuss the challenges of running a startup and dealing with customer churn. Join me in supporting the indie hacker community and listening to this podcast.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsWorking from a co-working space [00:01:15]Tiago discusses the benefits of working from a co-working space and how it helps with loneliness and productivity.Remote work productivity [00:03:18]Tiago talks about the productivity of remote work and how it can decrease over time due to distractions.Finding a good co-founder [00:08:11]Tiago shares his experience with finding a good co-founder and how it can make or break a project.Tiago's Entrepreneurial Journey [00:09:13]Tiago shares his experience of starting out as an entrepreneur and how he connected with a successful entrepreneur who became his mentor.Importance of Compromise in Business Partnership [00:10:58]Tiago discusses the importance of compromise in his business partnership with Sean and how they deal with disagreements.Challenges of Running a Tech Product [00:13:49]Tiago talks about the challenges of running a tech product, including high churn rates and customer complaints, and the importance of putting oneself in the other person's shoes to communicate effectively.Bug prioritization [00:17:22]Tiago discusses the need for prioritizing bugs and tasks in his company and how they handle them.Churn problem [00:18:21]Tiago talks about the churn problem in his company and how they are trying to solve it by asking users for feedback.Risk and uncertainty [00:20:12]Tiago discusses the risks and uncertainties of running a business, including platform risk and competition, and his personal philosophy on living life on his own terms.Capitalism and Indie Hacking [00:25:37]Tiago discusses the negative effects of capitalism on business and how indie hacking can be a more pure way of making money.Indie Hacker Conference [00:26:34]Tiago talks about his idea of creating an indie hacker conference in Lisbon and asks for feedback from his co-founder.Focus on Pod Squeeze [00:27:25]Tiago reflects on his current focus on his project Pod Squeeze and wonders about his future projects.

Have you ever started a company and had to pay taxes? In this episode, I, Tiago, the host of "Wannabe Entrepreneur", share my personal experiences of setting up a company in Portugal. I talk about the challenges I faced with the complicated tax system and how I found ways to reduce the taxes my business had to pay. I also reflect on the decision of whether to raise money through venture capital or continue bootstrapping my company. Plus, I share the benefits of hiring a cleaning service and discuss my company's affiliate program and the creation of a special case called "business partners".LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsLiving in Germany [00:01:30]Tiago talks about his experience living in Germany for seven years and how it changed his perspective on rules and cultural differences.Tax System in Portugal [00:06:30]Tiago discusses the complicated tax system in Portugal and his decision to hire an accountant to properly set up his company and navigate the high taxes.50% Taxes in Portugal [00:08:57]Tiago expresses his frustration with the high taxes in Portugal, which he calculates to be more than 50% of his revenue, and his belief that it is too much even though he supports contributing to the country.Overview [00:09:56]Tiago talks about his experience living in Portugal and Germany, and his decision to hire an accountant to properly set up his company and navigate the complicated tax system in Portugal.Types of Taxes [00:10:43]Tiago explains the different types of taxes in Portugal, including VAT and taxes on profits, and how to reduce them by declaring expenses.Gray Area of Expenses [00:11:47]Tiago discusses the gray area of what can be considered an expense in Portugal, and how it can be difficult to prove that certain expenses are related to the job.Bootstrapping vs VC [00:18:55]Tiago discusses the pros and cons of raising money through venture capital versus bootstrapping, and how it aligns with his company's values and lifestyle.Making Decisions as a Bootstrapped Company [00:21:00]Tiago talks about how every decision they make as a bootstrapped company needs to align with their lifestyle and values, and gives an example of how they turned down a lifetime deal with AppSumo.Savings and Life-Changing Money [00:25:14]Tiago shares how they were able to save enough money to cover a minimal wage in Portugal just by changing providers, and reflects on how this amount of money can be life-changing for many people.Hiring a cleaning service [00:27:09]Tiago talks about his experience hiring a cleaning service and how it changed his perspective on the value of time and money.Applying logic to hiring [00:31:01]Tiago discusses his approach to hiring someone for a task and how he calculates the value of his time and money.Making a difference [00:34:50]Tiago expresses his desire to contribute to society and help people by raising money to hire more people and pay them better.Pod Squeeze's business partners [00:36:01]Tiago explains how Pod Squeeze's business partners work and how they can represent the company in their markets.Upcoming interview release and community invitation [00:37:59]Tiago announces the upcoming release of an interview with Simon and Yosi and invites listeners to join the community to support the podcast.

Have you ever wondered what the millennial generation is capable of achieving? In this episode of "The Wannabe Entrepreneur," I discuss the potential of millennials to accomplish great things and the importance of pursuing our dreams. I also share personal stories about a volleyball game and my experience working at a co-working space in Lisbon. Additionally, I talk about unexpected events that happened to my business, including hiring an influencer that did not generate as much traffic as I had hoped and trying to switch to a cheaper API provider that did not work as expected.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsIntroduction [00:00:14]Tiago introduces himself and his podcast, which is about bootstrapping a company. He talks about his journey and the indie community.Millennial Generation [00:01:36]Tiago discusses the millennial generation and how they were taught that they could accomplish anything. He talks about the criticism that millennials face and how they are starting to accomplish things that were never accomplished before.Volleyball Game [00:09:01]Tiago shares a personal anecdote about a volleyball game he watched, where his cousin's team made a comeback and won in the last minute.Lesson from a Volleyball Game [00:11:15]Tiago shares a personal anecdote about a volleyball game he watched and the lesson he learned from his 12-year-old cousin.Sponsorship from an Influencer [00:12:28]Tiago and Joe receive an email from an influencer offering to do a sketch for them for only $100, and they discuss whether it's legit or spam.The Video is Online [00:19:10]Tiago shares that the video made by the influencer is well-made and explains their product, but they realize that the influencer's audience is not interested in AI tools.Changing API Providers [00:22:42]Tiago talks about finding a cheaper API provider for transcription and the excitement of waiting for the new model to be in production, only to be disappointed when it didn't work.Celebrating Too Soon [00:27:03]Tiago shares his frustration with a transcription model that didn't work after celebrating too soon and trusting the team behind it.Office Day [00:29:28]Tiago talks about his desire to work outside of his home and his plan to convince his co-founder to have an office day at a co-working space, specifically Selena in Lisbon.Co-working space and exploring Lisbon [00:31:03]Tiago talks about his experience working in a co-working space in Lisbon and exploring the city with his friend.One day per week to work from a coffee place [00:31:53]Tiago suggests the idea of having one day per week to work from a coffee place or co-working space and invites listeners to join him in Lisbon.Supporting the podcast and community [00:33:27]Tiago encourages listeners to support his podcast by joining his community for indie makers, which costs 10 bucks per month and offers access to events and support from people all over the world.

Have you ever felt like you're living life on someone else's terms? In this episode, I'll be discussing some important topics, including societal biases around gender roles, my journey as an indie hacker, and my idea of sharing profits with partners who believe in a company. I'll also be reflecting on the challenges of being a leader without a clear hierarchy and the importance of being true to oneself. As Frank Sinatra said, "I did it my way." So, let's dive in and explore how we can all live life on our own terms. And of course, thank you for tuning in - I can't wait for you to hear the next episode!LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsPablo Escobar's portrayal in Narcos [00:00:27]Tiago talks about the TV series Narcos and how it portrays Pablo Escobar as an empty hero in the first season, and how it changes later on.Macho culture and its effects [00:02:50]Tiago discusses the macho culture that exists in society and how it affects both men and women.Escobar's desire for respect and fear [00:10:19]Tiago discusses why Pablo Escobar didn't stop his criminal activities even though he had enough money to live a comfortable life, and how it relates to the alpha culture and the desire for respect and fear from others.Tiago's goal [00:12:16]Tiago talks about his initial goal of making enough money to pay his bills and how it changed after the success of his product.Bringing people to help [00:17:14]Tiago discusses his idea of bringing more people to help with marketing and conquering new markets, but faces the challenge of not being able to pay them.Sharing profits [00:20:16]Tiago proposes the idea of sharing profits with partners who help them conquer new markets, but acknowledges the risks involved for both parties.The Challenge of Living Outside Society's Rules [00:26:41]Tiago discusses the challenges of living outside society's rules and how it affects decision-making and work culture.Ignoring Negative Comments and Criticism [00:29:36]Tiago talks about the exercise of not letting negative comments and criticism affect him and how it helps him live a happier life.Ending with Frank Sinatra's "My Way" [00:31:27]Tiago ends the episode by reading the lyrics of Frank Sinatra's "My Way" as a poem.Pablo Escobar in Narcos [00:32:31]Tiago discusses how Pablo Escobar was portrayed in the TV series Narcos.Macho culture [00:33:50]Tiago talks about the macho culture that exists in society and how it affects both men and women.Alpha culture and desire for respect [00:36:45]Tiago discusses why Escobar didn't stop his criminal activities even though he had enough money to live a comfortable life, and how it relates to the alpha culture and the desire for respect and fear from others.

Have you ever wondered how technology and communication have evolved over the years? In this episode of "WBE Entrepreneur," I reflect on this topic and share my insights on the effectiveness of cold emailing. I discuss how my cold email strategy has contributed to the success of my current venture, Podsqueeze, and share my recipe for a successful cold email. Additionally, I explain how email providers determine whether a message is spam or not and the process of warming up a new email server to gain trust from potential recipients. Tune in to learn more about the power of cold emailing in today's digital age.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsThe days before the internet [00:01:21]Tiago reflects on the times before the internet and computers, and how he used encyclopedias and attended a computer course during his childhood.The rise of email [00:04:34]Tiago discusses the introduction of email and how it changed the world, allowing people to send letters in seconds.Email as a crucial tool for Pod Squeeze [00:09:45]Tiago talks about how email marketing is the main source for new customers for his current venture, Pod Squeeze, and how cold emailing can be effective with the right product.Evolution of Cold Emailing [00:10:44]Tiago discusses the success of cold emailing and how he filtered a list of 5 million emails to 500,000. He also explains the recipe for a successful cold email.Email Marketing and Spam [00:17:16]Tiago explains how email marketing works and how SMTP servers communicate with each other. He also discusses how email providers use public and internal lists to filter spam.Reputation and Deliverability [00:20:34]Tiago explains how email providers use reputation to determine whether a message is spam or not. He also discusses how difficult it is to get off an internal list once you're on it.How email servers determine spam [00:21:23]Tiago explains the technical indicators that email servers use to determine if a message is spam or not.Options for sending cold emails [00:29:35]Tiago discusses three options for sending cold emails: lying to email service providers, creating multiple domains and email accounts, or creating your own server.Creating your own email server [00:30:42]Tiago shares his experience creating his own email server using a virtual machine and Mail Cow.Warmup process [00:31:39]Tiago explains the warmup process, which involves sending a small number of messages to other email accounts to gain trust and avoid being marked as spam.Mail Reach service [00:32:38]Tiago mentions Mail Reach, a service that helps warm up email servers and provides information on how many emails went to spam.Impact of GPT on education [00:35:25]Tiago shares his experience introducing GPT to English teachers and discusses how it could change education, including the idea of using it to recreate a student's room.Links & MentionsEmails and Email Services:List of emails of people that have podcasts: 00:10:44Gmail: 00:19:26Yahoo: 00:19:26Zoho: 00:19:26SendGrid (email or transaction email service): 00:26:42Amazon SES: 00:26:42Mailgun: 00:26:42Gmail: 00:28:39Outlook: 00:30:42Zoho: 00:30:42Yahoo: 00:30:42Mailcow (service that uses Docker to install): 00:31:56Mail Reach (website): 00:32:38Podcasting Tools and Services:AI tool to help podcasters repurpose their audio content and generate titles, show notes, timestamps, posts, mentions with just one click: 00:13:50PodSqueeze: 00:13:50Mailchimp: 00:28:39Woodpecker: 00:28:39Spam Emails:Public lists for spam emails: 00:20:34Internal lists for spam emails: 00:20:34Other Mentions:"The Warmup" (process): 00:31:39GPT (tool): 00:35:25Mid Journey (website): 00:36:17Tiago's Twitter handle (@wbe_tiago): 00:37:25Tiago's email (tiago@podsqueeze.com): 00:37:25

Have you ever started something from scratch and worked your way up? As someone who practices Muay Thai, I can attest to the importance of gradual improvement in both martial arts and entrepreneurship. In this episode, I'll be sharing my personal experience and how it relates to building a business. I'll also be discussing my financial goals for PodSqueeze and how I plan to balance creating a product that is both enjoyable and useful for podcasters while also generating revenue. Additionally, I'll be diving into the two main focuses of my business: marketing and product improvement.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterConsistent Release Schedule [00:00:12]Tiago apologizes for not sticking to a consistent release schedule for his podcast and pledges to release new episodes every Wednesday.Martial Arts Journey [00:02:11]Tiago talks about his experience practicing Muay Thai, a martial art, for the past year and how it has humbled him.Entrepreneurial Journey [00:07:49]Tiago relates his journey as an entrepreneur to his experience in martial arts, acknowledging that he still has much to learn and that he is now in uncharted territory with a business that is actually paying the bills.Reaching financial goals [00:09:52]Tiago discusses his financial goals for his business and how he plans to achieve them.Selling the company [00:13:08]Tiago talks about the possibility of selling his company and the factors that go into valuing a company.Balancing work and enjoyment [00:17:03]Tiago discusses his desire to build and grow his business while also enjoying life and pursuing other projects that bring value to the community.Marketing and CRM [00:19:29]Tiago discusses the two sides of their business, marketing and product improvement, and how they are focusing on creating their own CRM to improve B2B sales.Cold emailing and potential SEO strategies [00:21:40]Tiago talks about how cold emailing has been successful for their business and potential SEO strategies they can implement, such as using user-generated content for their podcast.Attending a conference [00:26:35]Tiago and Joan discuss the pros and cons of attending a conference as exhibitors or visitors, and how it can help them make connections with big companies in the podcasting world.Tiago's conference plans [00:29:39]Tiago talks about his plans to attend a conference and how it will provide great content for his podcast.Tiago's Spanish live stream [00:31:12]Tiago mentions that he and his team will be doing a live stream in Spanish, despite not speaking the language, which he finds interesting.

What should you consider when negotiating a deal? In this podcast episode, I share my experience playing football in Portugal and how owning a ball made me popular among my friends. I then dive into my business, PodSqueeze, and the process of finding the right transcription service. João and I tested various services and found a partner that reduced our costs significantly. I also talk about my decision not to go for a deal with AppSumo for PodSqueeze. My partner and I considered whether we had enough information about our business to ensure a good deal. Tune in to learn more about my journey as an entrepreneur.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsPlaying Football in Portugal [00:00:12]Growing up in Portugal, I loved playing football with my friends. Having the ball made me popular among my peers, and we would spend hours playing and practicing our skills.Negotiating API Prices for PodSqueeze [00:07:00]As the founder of PodSqueeze, I faced the challenge of negotiating prices for APIs for my business. Finding the right provider was crucial, and I had to carefully consider the costs and benefits of each option.Interviewing API Providers [00:08:54]During my search for the right API provider for PodSqueeze, I interviewed with different companies. It was important to me that they made me feel wanted as a client and understood the unique needs of my business.Transcription Accuracy [00:10:53]One of the challenges I faced when transcribing an interview was accurately identifying speakers and removing filler words. It was crucial to ensure the accuracy of the transcription to avoid any misunderstandings.Negotiating with AppSumo [00:15:18]When negotiating with AppSumo, a lifetime deal marketplace, I had to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits of offering a one-time payment deal for PodSqueeze. It was a tough decision, but ultimately, we decided to go for it.Crunching the Numbers [00:17:31]To predict the potential profits and risks of the AppSumo deal, I crunched the numbers and analyzed the data. Negotiating better pricing could make the deal more profitable, so I had to carefully consider all the options.Negotiating with API Sales Representative [00:21:17]As the founder of PodSqueeze, I had to negotiate with an API sales representative to ensure that we were getting the best deal for our business. It was a challenging process, but we were able to come to an agreement that worked for both parties.Benefits and Downsides of Having a Bootstrap Company [00:22:11]As the founder of a bootstrap company, I have experienced both the benefits and downsides of investing our own money and not having to justify our decisions to investors. It's a unique experience, but one that I wouldn't trade for anything.Growing a Bootstrap Business [00:24:00]To grow our bootstrap business, we are doubling down on our marketing efforts and exploring new opportunities. It's a challenging process, but one that we are excited to take on.

Have you ever felt lost in your career journey, unsure of what job you truly love? In this episode, I share my personal journey through different jobs and how it led me to my current project, Podsqueeze. I reflect on my experiences working at Trivago and Weekend, and how they shaped my perspective on entrepreneurship.As I continue to grow and develop Podsqueeze, I am exploring new avenues to reach a wider audience. One possibility is launching Podsqueeze on AppSumo, a platform that helps entrepreneurs promote and sell their products.I discuss the excitement of reaching product-market fit with Podsqueeze, and the challenges of running a bootstrapped company. Despite the difficulties, I am passionate about my indie projects and the potential they hold.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on Twitter

Have you ever wondered what it takes to launch a successful product on Product Hunt? Well, let me tell you about my experience with launching my own product, Podsqueeze. As the founder, I understand the importance of optimizing processes and conversion rates before launching on ProductHunt. In this podcast episode, I share my journey of scaling up my product and turning it into a proper company. Running a business comes with its own set of challenges, such as high costs for services. However, I am determined to expand into non-English speaking markets and have already developed a new feature for Podsqueeze.LinksTry PodSqueezeJoin The WBE CommunitySponsor the podcastBut WBE MerchBuy The Bootstrapper's GuideDM me on TwitterTimestampsProduct Hunt Launch [00:02:34]I remember when we launched our product on Product Hunt. It was a nerve-wracking experience, but it ended up being a game-changer for us. The audience on Product Hunt is incredibly engaged and passionate, and we saw a significant increase in traffic and sales after our launch. Timing is also crucial, and we made sure to launch at a time when our target audience was most active.Soft Launch [00:07:29]Before launching on Product Hunt, we did a soft launch to test our product and optimize conversion rates. It was essential to get feedback from early adopters and make any necessary changes before the big launch. This helped us ensure that we were putting our best foot forward and presenting our product in the best possible light.Launching on Product Hunt [00:09:21]When we launched on Product Hunt, we saw firsthand the impact it can have on a product. Being in the top five versus the top two can make a significant difference in terms of exposure and sales. It's essential to have a solid strategy in place and to engage with the Product Hunt community to maximize your chances of success.Scaling up Bot Squeeze [00:15:52]As we worked to scale up our product, Bot Squeeze, we focused heavily on customer feedback and support. We knew that our customers were our biggest advocates, and we wanted to make sure they were happy with our product. By listening to their feedback and addressing their concerns, we were able to improve our product and build a loyal customer base.Connecting with Customers [00:16:57]One thing that sets us apart from our competitors is our approach to customer support. We strive to create a personal connection with our customers and make them feel valued. By doing so, we've been able to build a strong community around our product and establish ourselves as a trusted brand.Product prioritization [00:17:55]Prioritizing features based on user feedback has been crucial to our success. We want our customers to feel heard and valued, and we believe that by addressing their needs, we can build a better product. Being approachable and transparent with our customers has helped us gain their trust and loyalty.Reducing costs [00:18:54]We've faced challenges with the high costs of our product, but we're always looking for ways to reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Finding providers with better pricing has been one way we've been able to do this, and we're constantly exploring new options to make our product more affordable for our customers.Expanding sales team [00:20:46]Our goal is to expand to non-English speaking markets, and we're exploring different options for doing so. Translating our website and using affiliates are just a few of the strategies we're considering. We know that expanding our sales team will be crucial to our success in these markets, and we're excited about the opportunities ahead.Engaging affiliates [00:23:39]Keeping affiliates engaged is essential to our success, and we're considering creating a community for podcasters and affiliates. By doing so, we can build stronger relationships with our affiliates and provide them with the support they need to be successful.New features [00:26:26]We're always working on new features to improve our product, and we're excited about a new feature we're developing to apply tuning prompts automatically to new episodes. We believe this will be a game-changer for our customers and help them save time and improve the quality of their podcasts.Developing a new feature [00:27:13]Developing a new feature for Podsqueeze was a challenging experience, and it caused a lot of anxiety. But we knew that it was essential to keep innovating and improving our product. We're excited about the new feature and can't wait to see how our customers respond to it.Community and podcast updates [00:29:34]We're heavily involved in the WBE community and are always looking for ways to support our podcast. We believe that building a strong community around our product is essential to our success, and we're excited about the opportunities ahead.Creating a plugin for Twitter [00:31:07]Creating a plugin that replaces the Doge logo on Twitter was a fun project, and we were thrilled to launch it on Product Hunt. It was a great way to showcase our creativity and engage with the Product Hunt community. We're always looking for new ways to innovate and stand out from the crowd.Background MusicMusic: https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all/