commit 86abd88706d1c18ec8b735c51e3ab3eb2b3eff6b Author: Daniel Covington Date: Fri Jun 5 07:19:14 2026 -0400 init diff --git a/DicoveryTips.md b/DicoveryTips.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..48dfc69 --- /dev/null +++ b/DicoveryTips.md @@ -0,0 +1,141 @@ +As a professional developer, the best app idea is usually **not** found by asking “what app should I build?” It is found by asking: + +> “What painful, repeated, expensive problem do I understand better than most people?” + +A good web app idea sits where these overlap: + +1. **You understand the domain** +2. **People already struggle with the problem** +3. **They are already paying with time, money, spreadsheets, Access databases, manual work, or frustration** +4. **You can build a simpler tool for a narrow audience** + +YC’s “Requests for Startups” is useful for seeing broad market demand, but for you I would start closer to your real-world experience: print workflows, campaign tracking, Access-to-web migrations, internal tools, appointment systems, CSV/data cleanup, dashboards, and legacy-system modernization. ([Y Combinator][1]) + +## A practical way to find what to build + +Start with a **problem inventory**. + +For one week, write down every annoying workflow you see at work, at home, in congregation/volunteer work, or in your own development process. Look for phrases like: + +> “We always have to manually…” +> “This spreadsheet keeps breaking…” +> “Only Bob knows how to do this…” +> “We need Access, Excel, email, and a shared folder just to finish this…” +> “Customers keep asking the same thing…” + +Those are app ideas. + +Then score each idea from 1–5: + +| Question | Score | +| -------------------------------------------------- | ----: | +| Do I personally understand this problem? | 1–5 | +| Does it happen repeatedly? | 1–5 | +| Does it cost time or money? | 1–5 | +| Are people already using a bad workaround? | 1–5 | +| Could I build a small useful version in 2–4 weeks? | 1–5 | +| Is there a clear buyer or user? | 1–5 | + +Anything scoring **22+ out of 30** is worth exploring. + +## Use “Jobs to Be Done” + +A helpful format is: + +> “When ___ happens, I want to ___, so I can ___.” + +Example: + +> “When I receive messy customer CSV files, I want to clean and validate them before import, so I can avoid production errors.” + +That could become a web app. + +Jobs-to-be-Done interviews are useful because they focus on the user’s real situation, not just feature requests. A common JTBD structure is: “When [situation], I want to [motivation], so I can [desired outcome].” ([agileseekers.com][2]) + +## Ideas that fit your background + +Based on the type of work you do, these are stronger than random SaaS ideas: + +### 1. CSV/Data Cleanup Web App + +Upload CSV, validate columns, fix casing, quote fields, detect bad rows, export clean file. + +Good for print shops, mail houses, nonprofits, agencies, and small businesses. + +### 2. Access-to-Web App Generator + +A tool that reads an Access schema and helps generate CRUD screens, reports, import/export pages, and migration SQL. + +This fits your Access, Classic ASP, C#, SQL Server, and internal-tool background. + +### 3. Campaign Tracker SaaS + +You already created something in this space. Turn it into a focused app for small print/mail/marketing teams: + +> jobs, due dates, client files, proofs, mail dates, status, notes, and reporting. + +### 4. Variable Print Job Dashboard + +A web app for tracking print jobs from data receipt → proof → approval → production → mailing. + +This is niche, but niche is good. + +### 5. Small Business Appointment + Intake App + +Not just scheduling. Add forms, file uploads, payment, reminders, and simple CRM. + +### 6. “Excel/Access Replacement for One Workflow” + +Pick one painful workflow and replace only that. For example: + +> donor survey entry, resident list cleanup, jurisdiction mailing exports, print proof approval, customer data intake. + +This is often better than building a big generic platform. + +## Validate before coding too much + +Before building, talk to 5–10 people who might use it. Do not ask, “Would you use my app?” Ask: + +> “How do you do this today?” +> “What is annoying about it?” +> “How often does it happen?” +> “What happens if it goes wrong?” +> “What do you use now?” +> “Have you paid for anything to solve this?” + +The goal is to find pain, frequency, and budget. Recent startup validation advice still emphasizes not skipping the validation process before committing to an idea. ([Indie Hackers][3]) + +## My recommendation for you + +I would not start with a consumer app. I would start with a **boring business web app**. + +Your strongest lane is: + +> **Internal business workflow tools for companies still using Excel, Access, email, shared folders, and manual data cleanup.** + +That is where your professional experience gives you an advantage. + +A very strong first product could be: + +## “Data Intake & Cleanup Portal for Print/Mail Shops” + +Customers upload CSV/Excel files. The app validates required columns, detects bad addresses, flags missing fields, previews records, creates an approval report, and exports a production-ready file. + +Why this is good: + +It solves a real business problem. +It fits your print/data background. +It can start small. +It can be sold B2B. +It is not dependent on hype. +It gives you room to add features later. + +Start with one narrow promise: + +> “Upload messy customer data and get a clean, validated production file in minutes.” + +That is much better than “a platform for managing everything.” + +[1]: https://www.ycombinator.com/rfs?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Requests for Startups" +[2]: https://agileseekers.com/blog/applying-jobs-to-be-done-jtbd-framework-to-tech-product-discovery?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Applying Jobs-to-be-Done (JTBD) Framework to Tech ..." +[3]: https://www.indiehackers.com/post/how-to-validate-a-startup-idea-34f9df9d6b?utm_source=chatgpt.com "How to validate a startup idea"