5 steps to make profitable apps with ai (I did it)

Key Concepts:

• WO App: An application built within the WO platform ecosystem.
• B2B Creator Tools: Applications designed to help creators manage and grow their businesses.
• Consumer Tools: Applications that provide value or entertainment to a creator's community members.
• Vibe Coding: Using AI tools like Cursor to build applications through prompting.
• MCP (Machine Comprehension Package): An instruction manual that teaches AI how to code WO apps.
• Next.js Template: A pre-built structure for creating React-based web applications.
• API Keys: Codes that allow your application to access WO's services and data.
• Localhost: A local server environment used for testing applications during development.
• UGC Creators: Users who create and share content about a product or service.
• Content Market Fit: Finding the right content format that resonates with the target audience.

1. Finding a WO App Idea:

• Main Point: The first step is identifying a viable app idea that caters to creators within the WO ecosystem.
• Types of Apps:
  • B2B Creator Tools: Examples include automated email marketing tools, link-in-bio stores, and lead capture tools. The strategy is to adapt existing tools into app versions.
  • Consumer Tools: Examples include AI video generators, YouTube thumbnail testers, and crypto wallet trackers. These tools enhance the value creators offer to their members.
  • Games: Examples include head-to-head chess, poker tournaments, and pay-to-play games. Entertainment is a key aspect of community engagement.
• Qualities of a Good App Idea:
  • Simple to understand.
  • Offers recurring value.
  • Has scalable pricing (e.g., B2B tools where pricing scales with community size).
• Idea Validation: Directly DM creators on the WO platform to ask what apps they need.

2. Identifying a Target Creator/Community:

• Main Point: Focus on building for a specific creator or community type to ensure product-market fit.
• Process:
  • Browse the WO marketplace and select a category of interest.
  • Identify the most active communities within that category.
  • Contact the creators and pitch app ideas or ask about their needs.
• Example: Before building the clipping WO app content rewards, the creator observed similar functionality being used in Discord with a janky Discord bot.
• Validation: Secure verbal commitments from creators to use the app before development.
• Emphasis: Prioritize market feedback and evidence of demand before building.

3. Vibe Coding with AI (Cursor):

• Main Point: Using AI tools like Cursor to build WO apps, regardless of coding experience.
• Tools: Cursor (an AI-powered code editor).
• Process:
  1. Install Cursor: Download and install the Cursor code editor.
  2. Install MCP: Download the MCP (Machine Comprehension Package) from dev.wop.com using a command in the Cursor terminal. This teaches the AI how to code WO apps.
  3. Install Next.js Template: Use a provided prompt in the Cursor chat to install the Next.js template.
  4. Get API Keys: Create an app on WO (wp.com/sell), go to the developer tab, and copy the environment details.
  5. Paste Environment Details: Paste the environment details into the .env.development or .env.local file in Cursor.
  6. Prompting Cursor: Use ChatGPT to generate detailed prompts for Cursor, providing references (screenshots, descriptions) to guide the AI.
  7. Connect to Localhost: Install the app into a WO that you own, then run the command npm run dev in the Cursor terminal to publish the app on localhost 3000.
  8. Test and Edit: Access the app's UI within WO and make live edits by prompting Cursor.
  9. Error Handling: Copy error messages back into Cursor and ask the AI to fix them.
• Pushing to Production: The video does not cover pushing to production but recommends joining the WO app accelerator for a step-by-step tutorial on hosting on Vercel and adding a domain link.

4. Getting on the WO App Store:

• Main Point: Listing the app on the WO app store to gain organic users.
• Process:
  1. Go to the developer dashboard and click on the "Discover" tab.
  2. Add app information:
     • Professional logo.
     • App name.
     • Detailed description explaining the app's functionality and use cases.
     • Screenshots showcasing the app's UI.
  3. Apply to the app store by clicking the "Publish to the app store" button.
• Emphasis: The app store listing serves as the app's store page, so it should be well-crafted.

5. Getting Users and Marketing the App:

• Main Point: A three-step growth framework for marketing WO apps.
• Framework:
  1. Direct Outreach:
     • Create a list of every creator on WO.
     • DM them directly on WO, Instagram, email, and Twitter.
     • Keep messages concise and focus on the app's value.
     • Contact hundreds of creators per day.
  2. Content Creation:
     • Partner with a creator or create content yourself.
     • Create videos explaining the product step-by-step, showcasing creator use cases, and presenting the app as a solution to a problem.
  3. UGC Creators and Paid Ads:
     • Work with 3 UGC creators on a retainer ($500/month) to post daily.
     • Incentivize them with $1 per 1000 views.
     • Experiment to find content market fit before running paid ads.
• Emphasis: Focus on getting a few key creators to install the app before scaling marketing efforts.

Notable Quotes:

• "Building an app inside of an app ecosystem is one of the best ways to get customers organically."
• "Every creator wants custom apps built for the community. They just don't know any developers."
• "It's always best to frontload work and gather market feedback before you start building something that no one wants."
• "Remember, the beauty of WO apps is you really only need one creator to install your app that can get you thousands of users."

Conclusion:

The video outlines a five-step process for building and marketing WO apps, emphasizing the unique opportunity presented by the WO ecosystem's low competition and high potential for organic growth. The key takeaways are the importance of validating app ideas with creators, leveraging AI tools like Cursor for development, and focusing on direct outreach and content creation to acquire initial users. The WO app accelerator is presented as a resource for further learning and support.