My Indie Hacker Journey in 2023
Building Projects, Health, and Lessons Learned
In January 2023, I made a big decision - I left my job. While I enjoyed my work, I wanted to focus more on my projects and improve my health. Sitting for long hours in front of the computer had taken a toll on my back, leading to a cervical issue in September 2022. This became a significant factor in my choice to take a break, focus on my well-being, and embark on a journey of self-discovery.
During the early months of the year, I invested my time in Bonetflix and embarked on a new project, Bmoat, short for "Best Movies Of All Time" (I will write more about it in future issues). I used the data extracted from Bonetflix to build a similar website, shifting the focus away from a specific streaming platform. As my back health improved, I reintroduced exercise, joining the gym and incorporating swimming into my routine. By February, I was pain-free but committed to strengthening my back further.
From January to May, I dedicated myself to technical aspects and code improvement for Bonetflix and Bmoat. I even ran Google ads for Bonetflix from 18th February to 22nd April ( You can read more about it in my past issue). In June, I took a break, contemplating new ideas for the next chapter of my journey.
July brought the inception of Curl2Url, a project born out of a desire to create something simple yet useful—enabling users to share curl commands without the need to open a terminal and run them. Saving approximately 8 seconds each time someone accesses a curl. This allows an easy way to run curl commands from phones. I saw that there wasn’t something similar online and decided to go for it.
August marked another milestone as my girlfriend and I adopted our dog. Despite initial skepticism led by the time it could require, I saw the benefits of having a dog, especially in promoting a healthier lifestyle away from the computer screen. Today I’m grateful for this experience I never had, even though I admit the investment in time is considerable.
From September to November, I worked on Curl2Url, encountering challenges in the final stages of development. Even now, I’m tweaking the last beta features (I will write more about Curl2Url in future issues). As the year concluded, I realized the need to shift my focus to marketing.
In December, I became a member of the Small Bets community, a network supporting solopreneurs in achieving their first small wins. The insights I gained and the experiences shared by fellow community members not only inspired me but also provided the necessary encouragement to kickstart my Substack newsletter and X. I consider these first two months inside the community worth it and made me realize I approached my indie hacker journey with two significant errors.
Lessons Learned
Firstly, every action is a form of marketing, and building projects publicly could have cultivated an audience from the start. Secondly, my projects may have been too ambitious, leading to a longer-than-expected investment of time. Looking forward, I plan to adopt a more minimalistic approach, creating projects with shorter timelines for quicker feedback and adjustments.
emphasizes a crucial aspect: the inevitability of failure. Our world is filled with uncertainties, and every project we undertake carries the potential for setbacks. To navigate this unpredictable journey, one effective strategy is to embrace the concept of "Small Bets." Instead of putting all your resources into a single endeavor, diversify your efforts by exploring various opportunities.By taking smaller, calculated risks in different areas, you can spread out the chances of both success and failure. This approach ensures that you're not putting all your eggs in one basket, reducing the overall risk associated with any one project. This diversification allows you to allocate your time more efficiently, focusing on initiatives that yield positive outcomes. In essence, the Small Bets strategy becomes a valuable tool for managing uncertainties and maximizing your chances of success across multiple endeavors.
Thanks for sharing David. I could relate to a lot of aspects of your journey - personal health, small bets, marketing. https://curl2url.com/ looks pretty neat. Good luck!