275: I’m starting a new SaaS Journey

The Bootstrapped Founder

12/08/23

•

35m

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I'm working on a new SaaS, and I'm sharing the journey from day one.

Today, I'll introduce you to my market, early tech stack choices, the financials of the business, and how I am setting deadlines to make sure I don't over-engineer the whole thing.

Say hello to https://podline.fm, my newest project! A voice messaging system that focuses on podcasters who need to manage significant amounts of audio messages.

Step by step, I'll take you along the journey of idea, market validation, budget analysis, tech selection, and early implementation challenges. If you want to follow a seasoned developer along the path of building a profitable software business, this is a great place to start. Oh, and I'll share just how impactful AI tooling has been for my first week of prototyping!

If you want to check it out and actively help me make it better, please leave a voice message at https://podline.fm/arvid 🥰

00:00:00 Building a SaaS Business
00:07:44 AI Integration for Coding and Transcription
00:14:14 Server-Side Services With Whisper and Laravel
00:20:57 Laravel Ecosystem and Monetization Exploration
00:31:04 Setting Deadlines and Gathering Feedback

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/im-starting-a-new-saas-journey/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/275-i-m-starting-a-new-saas-journey

The video: no video this week, I recorded this on the road!

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Here are a few tools I use. Using my affiliate links will support my work at no additional cost to you.
- Notion (which I use to organize, write, coordinate, and archive my podcast + newsletter): https://affiliate.notion.so/465mv1536drx
- Riverside.fm (that's what I recorded this episode with): https://riverside.fm/?via=arvid
- TweetHunter (for speedy scheduling and writing Tweets): http://tweethunter.io/?via=arvid
- HypeFury (for massive Twitter analytics and scheduling): https://hypefury.com/?via=arvid60
- AudioPen (for taking voice notes and getting amazing summaries): https://audiopen.ai/?aff=PXErZ
- Descript (for word-based video editing, subtitles, and clips): https://www.descript.com/?lmref=3cf39Q
- ConvertKit (for email lists, newsletters, even finding sponsors): https://convertkit.com?lmref=bN9CZw

(00:00) - Building a SaaS Business
(07:44) - AI Integration for Coding and Transcription
(14:14) - Server-Side Services With Whisper and Laravel
(20:57) - Laravel Ecosystem and Monetization Exploration
(31:04) - Setting Deadlines and Gathering Feedback

Previous Episode

274: Amanda Natividad — Mastering Content Creation and Audience Engagement

December 6, 2023

•

64m

Amanda Natividad (@amandanat) is an expert in marketing and writing. She talks about using humor and strong marketing skills to understand what people on social media like — and what resonates strongly enough to make them do things. We discuss making content that's not just different, but interesting and true to your audience. Among many intriguing stories, one cool thing she mentions is how Rand Fishkin started following her (and how she overreacted to it!). But it worked out. She quickly found herself working with Rand on SparkToro. Amanda even shares a few tips on using tools like SparkToro to better understand what people want to see, who they interact with, and where they are.

We talk about the future of making content, including using AI for new ideas. Amanda believes in growing your audience by being liked, not just being the best. She's planning to grow her marketing course and talks about how a fractional marketing director can help small businesses and solo workers. This chat with Amanda is full of easy-to-use advice for improving your marketing. Enjoy!

Amanda on Twitter: https://twitter.com/amandanat

00:00:00 Creating Unique and Engaging Content
00:14:20 Refresh vs Different in Content Creation
00:26:01 Advice on Using Social Media Platforms
00:36:45 AI in Ideation and Meal Planning
00:44:06 Future Audience Growth and Marketing Exploration
00:52:50 Fractional Marketing Director's Importance

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/amanda-natividad-mastering-content-creation-and-audience-engagement/

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/274-amanda-natividad-mastering-content-creation-and-audience-engagement

The video: https://youtu.be/h94Hu8Ngr5c

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

(00:00) - Creating Unique and Engaging Content
(14:20) - Refresh vs Different in Content Creation
(26:01) - Advice on Using Social Media Platforms
(36:45) - AI in Ideation and Meal Planning
(44:06) - Future Audience Growth and Marketing Exploration
(52:50) - Fractional Marketing Director's Importance

Next Episode

276: Khe Hy — Breaking Free from the Rat Race

December 13, 2023

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58m

Khe Hy (@khemaridh), the brilliant mind behind Rad Reads and the Examined Life podcast, shares his introspective journey through the multifaceted world of perceived success, happiness, and self-imposed barriers. We talk about the emotional toll of public scrutiny, and we dive deep into our personal narratives, examining the cost of chasing success and the true value of contentment.

This episode also delves into the subject of mental health, authenticity in the digital age, and the unique experiences of first-generation Asians. Khe introduces us to the empowering concept of "having enough," and we reflect on how our own lifestyle designs can pave the way for a genuinely fulfilling life. Get ready for a transformative conversation that will prompt you to reconsider your definitions of success and happiness and possibly break free from the self-created prisons of your own stories.

Khe on Twitter: https://twitter.com/khemaridh

00:00:00 The Journey to Finding Contentment

00:07:40 Reevaluating Success and Money's Limitations

00:15:26 Navigating Personal Worth and Validation

00:28:22 Mental Health and Authenticity Online

00:34:26 Lifestyle Design and Playing the Game

00:45:38 Overcoming Self-Created Prisons and Envy

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

The blog post:

The podcast episode: https://tbf.fm/episodes/276-khe-hy-breaking-free-from-the-rat-race

The video: https://youtu.be/eJIj7qy98NA

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com