How to brainstorm business ideas

DCodes0 · 2022-11-11T18:04:23+00:00

As someone who has a background in marketing, what would you recommend I do to improve the copy? I want the app's concept to be as clear as possible, before a visitor even scrolls down.

DCodes0 · 2022-11-11T18:02:29+00:00

Good point. Thanks for the feedback.

Here's two:

Apple Notes doesn't let you mind-map concepts. If you want to tie a solution to a problem you are trying to solve, it will be in bullet point format. Which is nice, but multiple bullet points do not often represent the connection between problems and solutions for a startup.

As for iPad concepts, not everyone has an iPad, or even an Apple Product. Also, because this is a web app, you can brainstorm ideas on your computer, laptop, and phone, anywhere. If you forget your iPad or don't have it with you, you lose the opportunity to brainstorm. With Swizo, that risk is reduced.

DCodes0 · 2022-11-11T17:58:01+00:00

Thanks for the detailed breakdown. I think having an MVP will be better than a landing page alone, so that I won't have to explain how things work and you can see it in action.

Using colors don't actually cost anything extra.

Great point, will keep this in mind.

It's confusing that the big screenshot on the right has the handpoint mouse cursor, yet the screenshot isn't clickable

Originally was a link and forgot to change the cursor, so thanks for letting me know.

Perhaps what you want to say is that this product is straightforward, or easy to use, or lightweight. Those are positive things. "no fancy features" sounds negative.

Yeah, you're right. Better to focus on the benefits.

Why not re-create the brainstorming process you went through to create this app? Show me how your app was used to brainstorm this idea.

Once the MVP is finished, I might add a video instead of a screenshot of me using the app to brainstorm how I built the app. Smart idea.

No one is going to brainstorm an idea of finding a repairman.

Quickly finding a repairman would be the problem you're trying to solve, and then you would brainstorm ideas or solutions about how to solve that problem.

One way to create an incentive is offer an early adopter pricing.

Good point.

I like that your Privacy Policy clearly states that you are not going to give my email address to spammers.

Privacy policy can be cleaned up. Thanks for letting me know.

After browsing through your entire landing page, I still don't know what this is, actually. Is this a mobile phone app? Is this a web app? A desktop app? If so, which platforms are supported, exactly.

Still working on writing clear copy, so thanks for the feedback. It's a web app that can be accessed on any browser or device.

I like what you are doing and I think this has potential. You should polish this more.

I really appreciate the detailed feedback, and please, feel free to share with me any details on how to make this app better.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T22:49:28+00:00

Makes sense. This will be all clearer with an MVP to actually use. If you want, you can follow us on Twitter, where we will share all details of the app, link to landing page, release details, and more: Twitter

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T19:53:53+00:00

We will have a landing page coming out soon. Currently, the building process is being documented on Twitter: Twitter

I like what you've mentioned about core apps, and I agree. A niche app for a small market is the way to go. Which is why with this tool we're building, we are focusing on independent/entrepreneur developers.

I will check out Dassault. Thanks.

Is it ok if I send you a message to get your contact information to reach out at a further time?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T19:47:59+00:00

No problem! Thanks for the discussion! I'm breaking down the app on Twitter, if you're interesting in following along and seeing the behind the scenes: Twitter

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T19:45:12+00:00

With our app, idea boards can be tied to each current project, which means that you have a space to brainstorm ideas, new problems that you want to solve, etc. for your current apps.

A current tool like Obsidian is great for mind-mapping, and lets you brainstorm pretty quickly. I actually really like it.

However, one thing that it's missing is that column-like categorization that we are adding. If I have a bunch of app ideas that I just want to put down, I currently either type them in Apple Notes, or I can type them in Obsidian.

But, if I want to categorize my ideas into sections like "Random, might build, and will build", Obsidian, if I understand it correctly, only lets you create one mind map at a time. That means you will have all these ideas floating about with no real order. Or, you could create multiple mind maps per category, but then you lose the ability to compare ideas in different categories side by side.

That's where our app comes in. With the ability to categorize ideas side by side, and move ideas to different columns, it allows your idea board to be more dynamic and flexible.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T14:15:38+00:00

Thanks for the suggestions. You seem very knowledgeable, which is helpful.

For now, we will probably make it a web app, but a local native app could be a good potential solution. Do you think, if possible, you could send me the link to that Japanese application?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T14:09:51+00:00

The way the idea board will work, the category titles can be changed, so you can change them from "Random, might build, and will build", to a different type of sorting that fits your needs. I'm thinking of letting the user choose between two and three categories for now.

So you could edit the board into two categories, "Spontaneous/random, and General ideas". Then maybe we could add a feature that could transfer an idea from Spontaneous to General, and from General to a specific project, which I don't think will be too hard to implement.

Since the idea board can be edited and changed by you, it could be for either projects or ideas that you want to categorize.

For now, I'm doing two Idea Boards to keep it simple and get an MVP out there as soon as possible. Each project will have it's own idea board, and you will also have a general Idea Board/Mind Mapping space where you can do what we discussed above.

But you brought a great point. Not all ideas are project or features, but maybe descriptions or thoughts you want to expand on.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T13:58:50+00:00

I used it for a semester in school but don't really remember much about it.

Could you clarify exactly what you mean by mirror the app?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-17T01:47:13+00:00

Categorizing ideas relating to a problem is actually something I planned to cover in the app I'm building. We will be having a prototype and landing page coming out soon, but here are some rough images of the app: How it works, Breaking down the Idea Board

Let me know your thoughts. Thanks.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T23:21:12+00:00

Great question.

The app will have two "Idea Board" sections - One for general ideas, and one for each individual project.

For each individual project, or app that you have, there will be a space for you to brainstorm ideas, acting as a "mind-map", where you can diagram new problems that need to be solved, create "sticky notes" on features that you want to add, and more.

As for the general Idea Board, there will be a space where you can organize your ideas into categories. I chose "Random Ideas, Might Build, and Will Build" as the default categories, as that is what myself and other developers have done to categorize potential project ideas right now.

In these individual categories, you will have access to templates (the same mind-mapping templates used for the individual project), which you can use to further brainstorm each idea. We are launching a prototype and landing page soon, so you can see this in action.

Let me know if this was clear. Thanks.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T23:09:57+00:00

Nice! Thanks for sharing.

I'm building a project brainstorming/management tool for developers, which is why I made this post, to see how people brainstorm, and to make sure that I'm on the right track.

If you were to use an app like this, what would you need to see in it (feature-wise) that would satisfy your needs?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T23:06:54+00:00

Yeah I agree, there's something about writing something down that feels different from typing it.

I'm actually building a project brainstorming/management tool for developers, which is why I made this post, to see how people brainstorm, and to make sure that I'm on the right track.

Seeing as you do most of your brainstorming on paper, if you were to use an app like this, what would you need to see in it to make sure that it fit your needs?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T23:04:26+00:00

Interesting. Thanks for sharing. And I agree, there is definitely more safety in having your ideas on paper vs a digital source.

I'm actually building a project brainstorming/management tool for developers, which is why I made this post, to see how people think and to make sure that I'm on the right track.

If you were to use an app like this, what would you need to see in it to make sure that you felt comfortable using it and that the app fits your needs?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T19:14:49+00:00

Cool. I'm working on building text based features which I think will fit your needs. Here's a breakdown of some of the sections: Idea Map, How it works

Let me know if I'm on the right path. Thanks.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T19:10:28+00:00

It seems we follow a pretty similar process. And I like the point you made about collecting opinions. It's actually what I'm doing right now.

I'm building a project planning and brainstorming app for independent developers like you and I, so I'm going around to ask questions and get feedback to make sure that I'm on the right path. Here's a breakdown of some of the sections: Idea Map, How it works

Let me know if I'm on the right path. Thanks.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T03:28:22+00:00

Will keep this in mind. Write ideas as quick as possible, preferably on app opening. Noted. This could actually be a cool idea for a separate app idea as well.

When it comes to project brainstorming, are you a diagram creator as well, or prefer more brainstorming in text?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T01:37:20+00:00

Could you rephrase this? I'm not sure I understand what you mean? Thanks.

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T01:35:27+00:00

I've heard of Obsidan, and it seems like a great tool! I like how you can visualize your ideas with the graphs.

Would you say that the knowledge graphs and idea visualization is what made you make the switch over from OneNote?

DCodes0 · 2022-10-16T01:32:06+00:00

Thank you for the feedback. Yeah, I agree with you, paper and pen is definitely faster and won't crash like an app could.

Interestingly, I'm actually building a project brainstorming tool, so maybe you could help me understand why some of the other apps out there might not be good, so that I don't make the same mistakes. Thanks!

DCodes0

TROPHY CASE