Diary of an indie app developer

Recently I discovered I'm selfish. By recently, I mean last night. I was out for dinner with friends from church and we were talking about the side effect of the pursuit of excellence.

Today we're exploring what marketing actually is. You can trick yourself into thinking it's about the features. But it's really just about the emotional, how people feel… and tugging on those heart strings.

Welcome to season 2 of Diary of an Indie app developer. I started this podcast when I was a struggling developer who couldn't make ends meet. Now: I found success, followers and accolades. But at what cost?

In this video I take on the challenge to build 10 SwiftUI apps in just one month. Using ChatGPT for coding assistance and Midjourney for icons. I explore the capabilities (and limitations) of AI tools in app development. Along the way I reflect on my transition from JavaScript to SwiftUI and discuss the financial outcomes of my projects and offer insights into app store optimization Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developer, sharing valuable lessons and experiences to help fellow developers succeed in the competitive app market My channel is based on one simple premise: "A rising tide lifts all boats" — I share my experience, teach what I've learned and highlight the mistakes I've made along the way. Follow my journey here: Website: https://adamlyttleapps.com Twitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleapps Github: https://github.com/adamlyttleapps Instagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleapps TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps Substack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com

Adam shares his darkest secrets as an ethical hacker and delves into crucial lessons every indie app developer needs to know to protect their mobile apps from hackers. Discover the hidden vulnerabilities, learn how to safeguard your app, and understand the hacker mindset to stay one step aheadWhat You’ll Learn: The rise of hacking attempts on indie apps and how to identify vulnerabilities. How ethical hacking can help you secure your app and prevent breaches. The importance of platforms like HackerOne and BugCrowd in improving app security. Practical tips to protect your app, such as using firewalls like Cloudflare and avoiding common security pitfalls. Real-life examples of how hacking can expose weaknesses and the steps to mitigate these risks.Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developer navigating the challenges of the mobile app industry.Follow the journey:Website: https://adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com

Adam reveals a little-known App Store Optimization secret that no one else is talking about. With just one simple tweak that takes only 30 seconds, you can see tens of thousands of downloads and a massive increase in revenue.Join me as I dive into the key strategies that have helped me build over 50 apps and generate $100,000+ in revenue this year alone. Discover the power of app store discoverability and how to leverage search recommendations to skyrocket your app’s visibility. I also share my personal journey, lessons learned, and practical tips for getting your app found by the right users.If you’re an indie app developer looking to boost your app’s success, this video is a must-watch. Learn the secrets of app store optimization and start seeing explosive growth in your downloads today!Apps by Adam Lyttle chronicles the personal journey of an indie app developer, offering valuable tips and real-world experiences.Follow the journey:Website: https://adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram:https://instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.comFor App Store Optimisation, rankings and keyword research try Astro: https://tryastro.app/

Adam discovers a mobile app generating $300k/month and gets inspired to update his paywall… and sees a 230% increase in trial subscriptions!In this episode, Adam shares his insights and the specific changes he implemented. From analyzing successful apps to tweaking his own paywall, he breaks down the steps that led to this successful result. Learn how a refined onboarding process and strategic free trials can make a significant impact on your mobile app performance.Apps by Adam Lyttle chronicles the personal journey of an indie app developer, offering valuable tips and real-world experiences.Follow the journey:Website: ⁠https://adamlyttleapps.com⁠Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/adamlyttleapps⁠Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/adamlyttleapps⁠TikTok: ⁠https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleapps⁠Substack: ⁠https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com⁠

Adam discovers he's been asleep on his AI wrapper apps this whole time and puts together a plan. The Apple WWDC 2024 just finished and many developers are starting to realize their apps are… well… doomed.In this video, Adam reacts to the shocking news from Apple's WWDC 2024 that iOS 18 will have full integration with ChatGPT, effectively rendering many AI wrapper apps obsolete. As an indie app developer, Adam shares his personal experience of creating three AI scanner apps— a fish identifier, an insect identifier, and a vegan ingredient scanner— all of which now face a bleak future. He discusses the implications for developers, the challenges of monetizing in a rapidly evolving tech landscape, and his strategy moving forward to adapt to these changes.Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developer navigating the highs and lows of the app development world.Follow the journey:Website: https://adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com

Today I dive deep into my recent encounter with another copycat app developer, affectionately dubbed “Copycat Carl.” I share my thoughts on how these copycats operate, the impact they have on my revenue, and the emotional rollercoaster I go through every time I see one of my apps cloned.I also discuss the balance between finding inspiration and outright copying, reflecting on my own experiences both as a victim of copying and as someone who has made mistakes in this area. Through this journey, I’ve learned valuable lessons about maintaining integrity, innovating, and building a brand that stands out.Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developerFollow my journey:Website: https://adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com

Adam reflects on what he has learned while making YouTube videos for a month. What it takes to make a good video, to be consistent and shares helpful tips for indie app developers looking to setup their own YouTube channel…Apps by Adam Lyttle is the personal journey of an indie app developerFollow the journey:Website: https://adamlyttleapps.comTwitter: https://x.com/adamlyttleappsInstagram: https://instagram.com/adamlyttleappsTikTok: https://tiktok.com/@adamlyttleappsSubstack: https://adamlyttleapps.substack.com