Indie Interviews
Welcome to another episode of Indie Interview. Today I'm happy to introduce you Minh, a young developer with lots of potential. He makes WallCal, a very interesting calendar on desktop Mac app.
Can you tell us more about yourself and what led you to become an indie maker
Certainly! I'm originally born and raised in Hanoi, Vietnam but I moved to Japan after graduating from university to pursue my love for anime and all things weebish! 😂 Now, I'm happily settled in Japan with my family, and we're all enjoying our cozy home that we bought together.
Regarding my journey as an indie maker, it all started when I was using a desktop background calendar called Blotter. Unfortunately, it stopped working after macOS Big Sur came out. I was totally bummed when I couldn't find any good alternatives. But instead of giving up, I decided to take matters into my own hands and create my own app to solve this problem. And you know what? Thanks to some inspiring indie maker role models I found on Twitter, I decided to share my app with the world. Since then it has been received very good reception from users worldwide! It turns out, I'm not the only one who loves having my schedule right on my computer desktop 😂
How did you come up with the idea? How do you generate ideas for your apps or projects, and how do you identify the problems or needs your app can address?
Since I have a full-time job and don't have much time for other apps besides WallCal, I prioritize choosing to work on something that genuinely excites me, just like when I'm eager to play games.
One of the ways I come up with ideas is by identifying repetitive tasks or obligations that I dislike doing. I ask myself if there's a way to make those tasks less painful or more enjoyable, even if it's just a partial improvement. By focusing on addressing such needs or problems that I personally experience, I can create apps or projects that make a difference in my own life and hopefully in the lives of others too.
Another way is that I choose to work on something I always want to do regardless of external demands (like working on my own blog 😅). I treat this the same as playing video games, and at least I get something useful out of doing that, like knowledge about tinkering around certain techs. Who knows what gold mine I could hit with this in the future if I kept going, like whoever would think that some game as dumb as Flappy Bird could become a world hit after one night 😬
I must say, having a seemingly stable 9-5 job with low demands has been a blessing for me. It has allowed me to pursue my indie endeavors without stress, and for that, I'm truly grateful. One crucial factor that keeps me motivated and prevents burnout is being oblivious to the outcome or results. I believe it's essential for indie makers to have a solid foundation before diving into their projects. It's challenging to be successful when faced with a stressful environment and the pressure to make ends meet. Therefore, I highly recommend establishing a stable and supportive foundation before embarking on the indie journey.
How does your day-to-day app development workflow look like?
In my day-to-day app development workflow, I prioritize my tasks based on the limited time I have available. Here's how it typically looks:
- • Critical bugfixes come first. These are any issues that have a significant impact on the app's functionality and need immediate attention.
- • Next, I tackle bugfixes that are relatively quick and don't require too much time and concentration. These are the smaller issues that can be addressed without disrupting the overall development process.
- • Then, I focus on implementing features that I personally need. These are functionalities that enhance my own experience with the app and align with my requirements.
- • Additionally, I work on features that I'm excited about and genuinely want to explore. These are the aspects of the app that spark my interest and drive my motivation to further develop and improve it.
- • I also take into account features or functionalities that other users need, as long as they are not too time-consuming to implement. If it benefits both the users and aligns with my own interests, I prioritize incorporating these features.
By following this workflow, I ensure a balanced approach to app development that caters to critical fixes, personal requirements, user needs, and my own interests.
How do you launch and market your app?
At the time WallCal was released, I kept it simple and low-key. I typically announced it by tweeting about it on Twitter, doing some shameless plugs on relevant subreddits, and creating a landing page dedicated to the app. I have to admit, the effort I put into the launch was minimal.
As for marketing, I have to be honest - it's practically non-existent. I haven't actively pursued marketing strategies or campaigns to promote the app. However, I believe that word-of-mouth and organic growth can still play a significant role in reaching potential users and gaining traction.
While my approach may seem minimalistic, I focus more on creating a valuable and high-quality app that speaks for itself, rather than investing heavily in marketing efforts.
What are the future plans for your app?
I'm thrilled to share my future plans for the app! While I want to be realistic and not make any extravagant promises, I have a vision of introducing multiple calendar screens with customizable options to seamlessly blend in with different desktop setups. It's all about creating a visually stunning and user-friendly experience. And guess what? I also plan to implement the ability to manipulate calendars right on the desktop itself. It's going to be a gradual process, considering my limited time, but rest assured, I'm committed to making steady progress.
But that's not all! I'm also planning to dive into blogging more. I have a deep passion for writing about coding, life, and the indie journey, sharing personal experiences and insights. Even though finding dedicated time for it can be a challenge, my passion for writing never ceases. So, stay tuned for some exciting blog posts coming your way!
Do you have any interesting lessons learned or tips for other indie makers?
If you don't have any paying products, it's important to find a stable, low-stress 9-5 job first. A strong foundation is crucial. I have never seen a successful indie maker thrive while struggling to make ends meet.
Next, allocate half an hour each day to explore ideas and develop a prototype. If you find it engaging, gradually increase the time. Begin by focusing on things you genuinely enjoy to keep your motivation alive.
Looking back, are there any decisions or actions you regret not taking before or during the development and launch of your apps? Is there anything you would have done differently?
I should have quit playing games and launched the app sooner 😂
Are there any indie makers or creators whose work you admire and follow closely?
You were literally the first indie maker I came across by chance on Google, and literally the reason I started following the indie community on Twitter and made something myself. Thanks a Khoa! 🙏 The other creator that significantly affected my mental model is @dvassalo. His tweets literally taught me how to make my life better. Awesome dude!
Could you recommend any specific tools or resources that you believe are helpful for other indie makers, especially those just starting out?
I highly recommend Next.js as a framework choice. It's a fantastic web development tool that I personally love and have found to be incredibly helpful.
Next.js offers a smooth learning curve, making it accessible for indie makers with varying levels of experience. It also provides low friction when it comes to choosing development methods and integrating with other tools. This versatility and ease of use make it a perfect choice for quickly building and launching web applications.
I've personally embraced Next.js and have never looked back. It has greatly simplified my development process and allowed me to focus more on creating great experiences.
If you're an indie maker looking for a powerful yet user-friendly web development tool, I highly recommend giving Next.js a try.
Thanks for reading til the end. Hope you enjoy the interview as much as we did. Below are some useful links mentioned throughout the interview
Indie Interviews by Indie Goodies is all about discovering and showcasing indie makers. We firmly believe that behind every app, there's an inspiring tale of passion, creativity, and perseverance. We're always on the lookout for aspiring indie makers to feature in our series, and if you have any suggestions or recommendations, we'd love to hear from you.
Once again, thank you for joining us on this journey. Your support means the world to us. Until next time, keep supporting indie makers, keep exploring innovative apps, and subscribe to Indie Goodies interviews for more.