Stay ConnectedGet your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don’t miss out.
For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
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Join me as I chat with Zach Yadegari, Co-Founder of Cal AI, as we discuss his frameworks and strategies for building and scaling viral AI Apps. Learn his step-by-step formula creating viral apps.
00:00 - Intro
01:40 - Concept Behind Dr. AI and App Feature Overview
05:37 - Designing the User Experience
08:42 - Inspiration and Primitives in App Design
11:10 - User Experience and Simplicity
16:05 - Gamification and User Engagement
17:26 - Shareability and Marketing Potential
20:07 - History Feature and User Retention
21:14 - Symptoms Quiz Design
23:58 - Incorporating Sources and References
24:39 - Chatbot Functionality
25:33 - Marketing Strategy and Influencer Outreach
28:34 - Prompting for AI Responses
33:15 - Go-to-Market Strategy Discussion
37:14 - Identifying Target Influencers
41:04 - Pricing Structure and Revenue Models
1) The Core App Features:
• Skin scan for diagnosis
• Symptoms quiz
• Medical chatbot
• History tracking
Key insight: Keep it SIMPLE. Basic features done well better than complex features done poorly.
2) UX Design Strategy:
- Start with basic wireframes
• Copy "primitives" from successful apps
• Design for influencer marketing
• Put app name on key screens
• Make results instantly digestible
Pro tip: Design screens thinking about how influencers will showcase them in content.
3) Growth Strategy:
Target audience = concerned parents
Best channels:
• Mom influencers
• Family content creators
• Parenting communities
Look for creators with 250k+ views/video
Budget: $4-5k per 1M views
4)Monetization Structure:
Weekly pricing model works best:
• $4-7/week
• No free trial initially
• A/B test different prices
• Optimize for repeat users
Strategy: People will delete/resubscribe when needed
5) Technical Implementation:
- Use ChatGPT API with custom prompts
• Bypass medical disclaimers creatively
• Build clear diagnosis displays
• Include danger levels (1-5)
• Add sources for credibility
6) Marketing Angles:
- Target anxious parents
• Focus on peace of mind
• Show quick diagnosis stories
• Emphasize "should I see a doctor?" use case
• Leverage influencer storytelling
7) Key Success Factors:
• Heavy disclaimers
• Accurate diagnostics
• Simple UX
• Clear value prop
• Strong retention hooks
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND ZACH ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/zach_yadegari
In this episode, I am joined by Dan Shipper, co-Founder and CEO of Every, as we explore a wide range of AI startup ideas and business opportunities
Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:12 - Startup Idea 1: Advanced Voice Notes
08:59 - Startup Idea 2: N of 1: Personalized Data Science Marketplace
16:12 - Startup Idea 3: Great Books Reimagined
28:28 - Trend to Watch: Voice-First Products
34:33 - Distribution Strategy for AI Apps
1) Advanced Voice Notes
Imagine voice notes you can actually talk to!
- Record your thoughts while walking
• AI creates smart summaries
• Team members can "interview" the recording
• Get deeper context without endless follow-up questions
The future of media might be media you can talk to.
2) N of 1: Personalized Data Science Marketplace
Remember Netflix's $1M algorithm challenge?
Now ANYONE can be a data scientist with GPT-4.
- Post personal/business datasets
• Set bounties for predictions
• Perfect for health tracking
• New way to do personalized science
Market size: Think Kaggle but for everyone.
3) Great Books Reimagined
Classic literature is valuable but hard to digest.
The opportunity:
• AI-powered modern translations
• Format classics for specific audiences
• Create multimedia versions
• Add interactive elements
Two markets:
- Students (massive TAM)
- Business intellectuals (high willingness to pay)
4) The Luxury AI Paradox
Key insight: As AI makes things cheaper, human-made becomes luxury.
Examples:
• Broadway shows
• Handmade clothing
• Mechanical watches
Opportunity: Look for what AI is making cheap, then create premium human-made alternatives.
5) Voice-First Products
Huge trend: Kids growing up with voice interfaces (Apple Watch + Siri)
Opportunities:
• Voice-first travel booking
• Conversational commerce
• Voice-native discovery engines
TAM: Could capture 1-5% of existing markets just by being voice-first.
6) Distribution Strategy for AI Apps
Dan's approach:
• Build media presence first
• Target like-minded audience
• Use early adopters for feedback
• Start with YouTube → funnel to email
• Product-led growth after initial traction
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND DAN ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/danshipper
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danshipper/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@EveryInc/videos
Every: https://every.to
Spiral: https://spiral.computer/
Sparkle: https://makeitsparkle.co
Join me as I chat with Jacky Chou, a serial entrepreneur, as we dive deep into growth hacking opportunities. Jacky shares his strategies and frameworks for how to growth hack businesses using SEO and keyword research.
Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:46 Most AI companies are leaving money on the table
11:04 Paid Ads for InteriorAI
15:04 Jacky's million dollar SEO plan with Reddit
21:13 Other Neglected Platforms to beat VC-funded startups
24:57 Startup Idea 1: NSFW AI O.F.
35:31 Community Building in 2024
1) Most AI companies are leaving money on the table
Case study: InteriorAI (by Pieter Levels)
- Missing out on ~50K/month
- Could monetize through affiliate content
- Should create blog targeting high-value keywords
- Opportunity for "retail rank & rent" ($1-2K/month per placement)
2) Jacky's million dollar SEO plan with Reddit:
- Find keywords where Reddit ranks #2 (tons right now!)
- Share your product as a "user" (no links!)
- Target all related long-tail keywords
- Look at AI-related terms (massive growth)
- Replicate across Quora, Medium, LinkedIn
3) Keyword Research Gold:
"AI video generator" trends:
- Search volume is exploding
- Reddit ranking #2 consistently
- CBC around $1.50
- Huge opportunity for indie hackers
- Most big players ignoring UGC platforms
4) Dark Horse Opportunity: Adult AI Market
- Extremely low keyword difficulty (KD: 2)
- High search volume
- Most competitors doing poor execution
- AI chat + OF management tools needed
- Mid 6-7 figures/month potential
(Not for everyone, but opportunity exists)
5) Community Building in 2024:
- @JackieChou hitting $80K/month
- Built from 15K YouTube subs
- Key: Sell transformation, not just community
- Focus on membership benefits
- Bundle partnerships/tools
Key Takeaway:
To win in 2024: Do what VC-funded startups won't:
- Target neglected platforms
- Create authentic content
- Build real communities
- Ignore "brand concerns" early
- Focus on actual user value
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JACKY ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://x.com/indexsy
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacky-chou/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@indexsy/videos
Advise: https://advise.so/apply/
Join me as I chat with Omar Choudhry, a serial entrepreneur, as we dive deep into how to build and scale directories. Omar shares his strategies and frameworks for how to use AI and SEO to build and scale cash flowing directories.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 Intro
04:26 Overview of GuiltyChef.com
06:56 The Power of Schema in SEO
14:04 Traffic
18:07 Monetization Potential
24:34 Overview of bestdubai.com
32:09 Live Cooking Session: Building a Directory
35:47 Using Apify for Data Scraping
39:54 Using Claude for organizing information and data
44:01 Setting Up Zapier for Automation
55:26 Formatting data on Claude
1:06:42 Building a Comprehensive Directory
1) First directory: GuilteyChef.com
- AI-generated recipes from top restaurants
- Went from 0 to 100k monthly visitors in 7 months
- Built in ONE week as a side project
- Already monetizing with $2.99 recipe packs
Key insight: People want to recreate restaurant dishes at home
2) Second directory: BestDubai.com
- Bought domain for $1.2k (incredible deal)
- Competing with TripAdvisor in just 30 days
- AI-generated reviews & scores
- Automated everything
Smart move: Added referral tags to outbound links = restaurants see traffic source
3) The Tech Stack
- Webflow for website
- Zapier for automation
- Claude AI for content
- Apify for data scraping
- Google Sheets as input
- Python snippets for formatting
No coding experience needed!
4) The Secret Sauce: Schema markup
Omar uses AI to generate perfect schema for each page
Why it matters:
- Helps Google understand content
- Gets rich snippets in search
- Ranks above established sites
- Most competitors do this wrong
5) The Process:
1. Get place ID from Google Maps
2. Scrape data using Appify
3. Format data for Claude
4. Generate content with AI
5. Push to Webflow CMS
6. Auto-generate everything
One place ID = complete page with images, content & SEO
6) Monetization strategies:
- Premium recipe packs
- Restaurant partnerships
- Ingredient affiliate links
- Sponsored listings
- Brand partnerships
- Custom AI tools
Pro tip: Let restaurants find YOU through analytics
7) Key Learning:
You can now compete with giants like TripAdvisor using:
- Smart AI automation
- Proper schema markup
- Geographic targeting
- Language optimization
- Clean UX design
Budget needed: Under $2k
The future of directories is here. Time to build!
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND OMAR ON SOCIAL
5 Day Sprint - Build with AI: https://www.skool.com/5-day-sprint/about
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/omarchoudhry/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/OmarChoudhry
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omarchoudhry/?originalSubdomain=uk
Join me as I chat with Jonathan Courtney, Co-Founder and CEO of AJ&Smart, as we dive deep into Black Friday Campaign strategy. Jonathan shares his strategies and frameworks for leveraging Black Friday regardless of what type of business you run.
Episode Timestamps
00:00 - Intro
01:15 - The Importance of Black Friday for Businesses
04:21 - Types of Black Friday Sales
05:01 - Case Study: Endel's Renewal Strategy
08:49 - Comparing Strategies: MagicMind and AG1
12:48 - Apple's Unique Approach to Black Friday
14:25 - Creative E-commerce Strategies
20:12 - Bundling Products for Black Friday
22:51 - Startup Idea 1: Black Friday Agency
27:55 - Gamifying Promo Codes
29:59 - Our Black Friday Buys
31:41 - Live Streaming as a Sales Strategy
1) The Store Credit Hack
Instead of basic "20% off" - tell customers they have $21.63 in store credit expiring soon
Why it works:
• Feels like "their money"
• Specific numbers boost authenticity
• Creates urgency
2) The Premium Play
How luxury brands do Black Friday:
• No discounts
• Give gift cards with purchase
• Example: Apple gives $200 credit
Keeps brand prestige while driving sales
3) The Bundle Builder
Four Sigmatic's genius approach:
• Interactive bundle builder
• Unlocks bigger discounts at $59/$99
• Shows real-time savings
• Makes shopping fun
Steal this for your store
4) The Bonus Stack
MagicMind's approach:
• Start with core discount
• Add digital product access
• Include physical gifts
• Stack more bonuses as week progresses
Psychology: Value over Discount
5) The Subscription Push
SaaS playbook:
• Offer renewal discounts
• Add exclusive bonuses
• Example: Endel does 50% off + premium gifts
• Works for any subscription business
6) The QVC Strategy
Modern twist:
• Run 12-hour livestream sales
• Show limited quantities
• Create FOMO
• Add exclusive bundles
• Perfect for influencer brands
7) The Campaign Timeline
Smart businesses:
• Plan 6 months ahead
• Start ads 3 days before
• Build waiting lists
• Layer in bonuses
• Peak on Friday
8) The Profit Reality
Truth bomb:
• Could make 1-2 months revenue in 1 week
• Some brands make yearly revenue
• Even "bad" years saved by Black Friday
• Ignoring it = leaving millions on table
Remember: Black Friday isn't just a discount day.
It's a strategic revenue event that can make your entire year.
Don't flub it
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
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FIND JONATHAN ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jicecream
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-courtney-4510644b/
AJ&Smart: https://ajsmart.com/
In this episode, I am joined by Shahed Khan, co-founder of Loom, as we explore innovative startup ideas, and his frameworks for finding and building startups
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:50 Startup Idea 1: The Modern Travel Guide
19:25 Startup Idea 2: The anti-social social network
34:06 Startup Idea 3: Time Capsules of Shared Memories
1) The Anti-TripAdvisor Traveler
Problem: Millennials & Gen Z hate cookie-cutter travel experiences
Solution: TikTok-inspired travel app with curated, local gems
Key features:
• City-specific guides (coffee shops, bookstores, etc.)
• Video carousels showing vibes
• Monetize by unlocking full guides ($0.99)
How to build MVP:
1. Use TikTok API to pull trending local videos
2. Transcribe with Descript or Google Speech-to-Text
3. Clean up with ChatGPT
4. Auto-post to WordPress via Zapier
Pro tip: Start hyper-niche (e.g., coffeesnobs.xyz) then expand
2) The New "Path" - Dunbar's Social Network
Problem: We've lost connection with our REAL friends
Solution: Reinvent Path for 2024 - ultra-private social network
Key features:
• Max 150 connections (Dunbar's number)
• Location-based updates
• Simple, minimalist design
Why it could work:
• People crave intimate, ad-free spaces
• AI makes building faster & cheaper
• Charge $20-30/year subscription
Marketing angle: "The anti-social social network"
3) Time Capsules of Shared Memories
Problem: "Shared albums are where memories go to die"
Solution: Physical, ephemeral time capsules of shared experiences
Key features:
• Pull from connected social accounts
• Curate personalized memory boxes
• Make it EASY to send as gifts
Monetization:
• Subscription for curation
• Charge per physical time capsule sent
Inspiration: Remember Klout? Leverage nostalgia!
Bonus insight: People don't change. Our needs stay the same.
Products evolve, but human nature is constant. Study the past!
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahedkhan/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_shahedk/
In this episode, I am joined by Michael Girdley, Chairman and CEO of Girdley Enterprises, as we discuss how to build a HoldCo. Michael shares his frameworks and best practices for structuring HoldCo’s.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
02:25 What is HoldCo
07:22 Types of HoldCo
09:45 Why go HoldCo
12:56 Types of HoldCo Pt 2
15:27 Frameworks for structuring your HoldCo
19:16 7 steps of starting a HoldCo
23:47 Why HoldCo’s are awesome
36:12 HoldCo’s are antifragile
43:16 Make sure HoldCo’s are right for you
45:16 HoldCo Conference
1) What's a Holdco?
It's owning multiple businesses but not running any of them day-to-day.
Think Warren Buffett lite - you're the maestro orchestrating a portfolio of companies.
2) Why go Holdco?
• Diversify risk
• Create asymmetric bets
• Design your ideal lifestyle
• Leverage your passions
Girdley: "I tap dance to work every day, even when things are sucky."
3) Types of Holdcos:
• Roll-up (same biz, diff locations)
• Platform (related businesses)
• Pure Holdco (unrelated businesses)
• Conglomerate (big daddy version)
Pick your flavor based on your interests & expertise!
4) How to start your Holdco journey:
1. Have a plan
2. Define your goals
3. Design your org structure
4. Consult lawyers & tax pros
5. Build your all-star advisory team
6. Execute & iterate
7. Optimize for happiness!
5) The secret sauce? 🤫
• Low-cost tech makes it easier than ever to incubate new businesses.
• Girdley: "You can do that same business they built off the ground for a few $1000"
• Asymmetric bets FTW!
6) Centralize or nah?
• Depends on your asset types & personal strengths.
• Girdley keeps it "radically decentralized" - know thyself!
• "Don't try to do things that I know I suck at."
7) Who's it for?
Not everyone! But if you:
• Love variety
• Hate micromanaging
• Want to build long-term wealth
• Crave a custom-designed career
...Holdco life might be your jam!
8) Ready to dive in?
Start with ONE successful biz, then expand.
And if you're serious, check out Girdley's Holdco conference in Utah next spring!
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND MICHAEL ON SOCIAL
Michael Girdley’s Website: https://www.girdley.com/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/girdley
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgirdley/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@Michael-Girdley
In this episode, I am joined by Arvid Kahl, CEO and Founder of Podscan, as we explore a wide range of AI startup ideas and business opportunities
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:09 Startup Idea 1: AI Co-Founder
21:07 Startup Idea 2: Silent Refactoring as a Service
37:00 Startup Idea 3: Niche-specific AI-powered content curation
1) AI Co-Founder: Your 24/7 virtual partner with ZERO equity
• Trains on your business data
• Handles marketing, sales, strategy
• Interacts with other AI agents for fresh ideas
• Potential pricing: $50-100/month to start
2-4) AI Co-Founder cont'd:
• Customizable personality (Elon-like? Thiel-like?)
• Reduces co-founder drama
• Ideal for solo founders wearing multiple hats
• Scalable SaaS model with potential for AI-AI interactions
5) Silent Refactoring as a Service: Your code's guardian angel
• Constantly analyzes and improves your codebase
• Runs simulations to test performance
• Suggests optimizations based on future roadmap
• Fully tested, commented code delivered via PRs
6-7) Refactoring Service cont'd:
• Pricing models:
A) Per repository
B) Frequency of experiments
C) Value-based (replacing 3 full-time devs)
• Start at $50-100/month, scale with capabilities
8) Niche-specific AI-powered content curation
• Aggregate data from various sources (podcasts, social, magazines)
• Summarize for specific industries (e.g., medical, equestrian)
• Personalize content format (text, audio, video) per user
• Potential for paid newsletters or SaaS products
9) Content curation tips:
• Choose a niche you're already part of
• Leverage AI for summarization and personalization
• Start with free content, add premium features
• Use as a wedge to build industry-specific SaaS later
10) Key takeaway: AI enables solo founders to tackle bigger problems!
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co/
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND ARVID ON SOCIAL
Podscan: https://podscan.fm
X/Twitter: https://x.com/arvidkahl
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCB6s-V1Ls4vc_mXEF-4Lz_Q
Join me as I chat with Joseph Choi, Founder of Viral App Founders Community, as we discuss his frameworks and strategies for finding and building profitable Consumer Apps. Learn his step-by-step formula to building and growth hacking apps.
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
04:01 Ecom Marketing Strategies applied to Consumer Apps
11:07 TikTok Shop Affiliate Center = goldmine for app ideas
22:16 Profitable Niches that are Underserved
33:26 Influencer Marketing 2.0
40:58 Capitalize on internet "cults" & movements
1) TikTok organic = BIGGEST underpriced distribution channel right now
- Cost of creating & distributing content = low
- Potential reach for consumer apps = high
- Time to leverage this opportunity!
2) E-commerce tactics are invading the app world
- Remember Tabs Chocolate? 0 to $10M/year with mass UGC creators
- Now these tactics are being used for consumer SaaS
- Higher margins + better exit multiples = Bigger Opportunity
3) Carousels perform better than Short-form video on TikTok?!
- Surprising trend: Photo carousels are CRUSHING IT
- Easier to create + more scalable than talking head vids
- Pro tip: Use Midjourney for quick, eye-catching visuals
4) TikTok Shop Affiliate Center = goldmine for app ideas
- Find top performers in any niche
- Build apps to help them sell better
- Get free marketing from influencers
Win-win-win situation!
5) High LTV niches are UNDERSERVED on TikTok
Think: Golfers, poker players, niche sports
Example: Golf swing analysis app
- 10k downloads / month
- $70k revenue / month
- Huge potential for more!
6) Myth: TikTok users are all young
- Reality: Diverse demographics, especially in niche content
- Serve content to underserved niches = Underpriced reach
7) Rethink influencer marketing for TikTok
- Old way: Pay for followers
- New way: Hire creators as ACTORS, not for their audience
- TikTok algorithm favors good content, not follower count
8) Capitalize on internet "cults" & movements
Examples:
- Looksmaxing (YouMax app)
- Make money online (Crayo app)
1. Find passionate communities without products
2. Build the app they need
3. Profit
Bonus tip: Product quality is CRUCIAL
Nail your metrics before scaling marketing efforts!
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
Work with me and my team: LCA — world’s best product design firm to build apps, websites and brands people love. https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co/
Stop Building Websites That Look Good But Don’t Sell: https://www.designscientist.com/design-store?b=https://www.designscientist.com/
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Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JOSEPH ON SOCIAL
Viral App Founders Community: https://whop.com/viral-app-founders/
X/Twitter: https://x.com/JosephKChoi
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/choi-joseph/
Join us for an engaging conversation with John Coogan, Entrepreneur in Residence at Founders Fund, as we explore a wide range of moonshot ideas from Cybersecurity to moon Colonization to humanoid military robots
Episode Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
01:57 Startup Idea 1: Cybersecurity for AI companies
11:37 Startup Idea 2: Moon-focused space startup
21:33 Startup Idea 3: Kid-friendly smartphone alternative
36:02 Startup Idea 4: Humanoid military robots
1) Cybersecurity for AI companies
• AI models = new high-value digital assets
• Estimated $500M to train GPT-4
• Potential for theft/espionage
• Opportunity: Build Fort Knox-level security for AI weights
• Think Chainalysis, but for AI
2) Moon-focused space startup
• SpaceX focused on Mars, opportunity on the Moon
• Easier access, always visible from Earth
• Ideas: Moon tourism, mining, asset placement
• Leverage SpaceX's falling launch costs
• Be the "Varda" or "Planet Labs" of the Moon
3) Kid-friendly smartphone alternative
• Parents want device control, kids need connectivity
• Opportunity: Build ruggedized, fun, limited-feature phone
• No addictive apps, basic communication + learning tools
• Counter-position against Apple's sleek designs
• Target millennial parents via Instagram ads\
4) Humanoid military robots
• Combine trends: AI, robotics, defense tech
• Controversial but attention-grabbing
• Potential uses: Tele-operated missions, security
• Ethical concerns, but tech seems inevitable
• Opportunity to lead in emerging field
Want more free ideas? I collect the best ideas from the pod and give them to you for free in a database. Most of them cost $0 to start (my fav)
Get access: https://www.gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
Work with me and my team: LCA — world’s best product design firm to build apps, websites and brands people love. https://latecheckout.agency/
BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/
BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/
Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co/
Stop Building Websites That Look Good But Don’t Sell: https://www.designscientist.com/design-store?b=https://www.designscientist.com/
FIND ME ON SOCIAL
X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg
Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/
FIND JOHN ON SOCIAL
John’s Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2L6WMqY3GUPCGBD0dX6p00?si=7TdH3TuJQWmsTt53e9s7Rg&nd=1&dlsi=ab2bcd252c4847cc
X/Twitter: https://x.com/johncoogan
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacoogan/
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