I cloned 3 apps and now make $35K/month

Key Concepts

• App Validation: Identifying and confirming the viability of an app idea before development.
• 1% Better Strategy: Improving upon existing successful apps rather than creating entirely new concepts.
• Traction: Evidence of user engagement and paying customers, indicating product demand.
• Traffic Sources Analysis: Examining how a successful app acquires users (e.g., ads, SEO).
• MVP (Minimum Viable Product): A basic version of an app with core features, used for initial testing and validation.
• AI Coding Tools: Utilizing artificial intelligence to assist in app development and code generation.
• Faceless YouTube Channels: Automated YouTube channels posting content related to a product.
• Affiliate Marketing: Partnering with individuals who promote a product in exchange for a commission.
• SEO (Search Engine Optimization): Optimizing online content to rank higher in search engine results.
• Tech Stack: The combination of technologies used to build and run an application (e.g., Next.js, Node.js).

Samuel Rondo's Background and Coding Journey

Samuel Rondo, a former optician, now runs three SaaS apps generating $35,000 per month. He taught himself to code using a 15-hour YouTube course, emphasizing the importance of immediately applying learned concepts to a real project. He initially wanted to rebuild an Instagram tool. He advises aspiring app developers to leverage AI coding tools like ChatGPT to build apps, focusing on practical projects and learning step-by-step.

Idea Validation and Selection Strategy

Samuel's core strategy revolves around building upon existing successful ideas rather than inventing new ones. He seeks apps that are already working and demonstrating traction. His four key filters for app ideas are:

1. Personal Use: He must be willing to use the app himself.
2. Proven Success: Evidence that the app is already working and generating revenue.
3. Low Marketing Spend: Indicates organic demand rather than reliance on expensive advertising.
4. Maintainability: The app should be simple enough to maintain without excessive complexity.

He primarily sources ideas from Twitter, focusing on communities like solopreneurs and "building in public."

Criteria for Validating App Ideas

Samuel looks for specific criteria to validate potential app ideas:

• Traction: The most important signal is founders sharing MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue) or Stripe screenshots, which provide concrete proof of paying customers.
• Traffic Sources: He uses Ahrefs to analyze traffic sources, looking for a mix of paid ads and SEO. Reliance on both indicates strong demand and replicability.
• Technical Feasibility: He assesses whether he can build and maintain the app easily, prioritizing simplicity.
• Personal Interest: He ensures he likes the product to maintain long-term motivation.

Case Study: Story Short

Samuel's app, Story Short, exemplifies his validation strategy. He observed a post about a tool automating faceless video posting on YouTube and TikTok. The numbers were compelling, and the traffic was primarily from Facebook ads, making it easily replicable. He built the tool, launched ads, and experienced rapid growth. Story Short is an AI video generator for TikTok and YouTube, making around $20,000 per month with around 4,000 customers.

Samuel's Three Businesses

1. Usemus.com: A LinkedIn scraping tool generating approximately $15,000 per month with around 10,000 customers.
2. Storyshow.ai: An AI video generator for TikTok and YouTube generating approximately $20,000 per month with around 4,000 customers.
3. Capacity.so: A new AI coding tool generating approximately $900 per month with around 50 users.

Growth Strategies

Samuel employs a multi-faceted growth strategy:

1. Paid Ads: He starts with Google and Meta ads to quickly validate and test the market.
2. SEO: He emphasizes building SEO as soon as there's traction, aiming for compounding, free traffic. He uses tools like Ahrefs and Outrank.so for SEO analysis and automated article writing.
3. Faceless YouTube Channels: He utilizes automated YouTube channels to post UGC-style videos about his products, leveraging a feature within Story Short.
4. Affiliate Marketing: He runs affiliate programs to acquire customers at a fixed cost and generate virality through content creation and promotion by affiliates.

Tech Stack and Costs

Samuel's tech stack includes:

• Next.js and Node.js: For coding.
• Ahrefs and Outrank.so: For SEO analysis and automated article writing.
• Vercel: For deploying apps.
• Stripe: For payment processing.

Monthly costs:

• Usemus: Approximately $4,000.
• Story Short: Approximately $5,000.
• Capacity: Costs are still being determined but are expected to be high due to instance requirements.

Key Learnings and Advice

Samuel's key learning is that innovation isn't always necessary. He advises focusing on existing successful products and building alternatives. He emphasizes launching an MVP quickly and testing demand with ads.

His advice to his younger self:

1. Use AI coding tools.
2. Learn Google and Meta ads.
3. Launch as soon as possible with a minimal product.
4. Focus on SEO for compounding traffic.
5. Automate as much as possible using tools like Outrank and Story Short.
6. Once there is growth, then focus on adding new features.

Conclusion

Samuel Rondo's success stems from a pragmatic approach to app development, focusing on validation, replication, and continuous improvement. By leveraging existing successful ideas, analyzing traffic sources, and employing a diverse growth strategy, he has built a portfolio of profitable SaaS apps. His emphasis on simplicity, automation, and AI-powered tools provides a valuable framework for aspiring solopreneurs.