{"id":3736,"date":"2025-04-29T09:06:27","date_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:06:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/guillembruix.com\/store\/?p=3736"},"modified":"2025-04-29T09:06:29","modified_gmt":"2025-04-29T09:06:29","slug":"3-steps-to-develop-your-app-with-ai-and-get-your-first-10k-users","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/guillembruix.com\/store\/3-steps-to-develop-your-app-with-ai-and-get-your-first-10k-users\/","title":{"rendered":"3 Steps to Develop Your App with AI and Get Your First 10K Users"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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  1. Go to ChatGPT.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Ask \u201cDevelop an app that reaches 10,000 users\u201d.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. Publish it.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Just kidding \ud83d\ude04 In this article, I\u2019ll tell you how, with no team or investment and relying solely on AI, I launched my app and reached 10K users in just 5 months. I\u2019ll break it down into the following three major steps so that you too can reach your first 10K users:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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    1. Choose the right idea for your app.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    2. Develop (design and programming) with AI.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n
    3. Apply a solid growth strategy.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

      In December 2024, I published the first version of Neu for iOS<\/strong><\/a>. It\u2019s an adaptation for iOS of an MVP I originally built for the Apple Vision Pro. Neu is an app for skiers that accompanies you on your trips to the snow. It provides all the information you need to organize your trip, tells you where to go based on your preferences and the weather conditions, and once you arrive, it gives you full details about the ski resort. It includes various trail maps, with special emphasis on 3D and Augmented Reality maps so you can explore the entire ski area without getting lost.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      [ <\/em>ES : Lee este articulo en espa\u00f1ol aqu\u00ed<\/a> <\/em>]<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Today, at the end of April 2025, the ski season in Spain wraps up and Neu<\/strong> has reached its first 10K users<\/strong> and 102 paying subscribers<\/strong>, generating $73 MRR (Monthly Recurring Revenue)<\/strong> and $1,170 in total sales (Proceeds)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      \"\"
      Neu statistics in App Store Connect (10K Total Downloads)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
      \"\"
      Neu statistics in RevenueCat ($73 MRR)
      <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

      How did I get these users as an indie app developer? How can you get your first 10,000 users for your side project? How can AI supercharge your productivity as a solo entrepreneur, without needing a team or startup investors\/co-founders? What\u2019s the best growth strategy? I hope to answer these questions in this article.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      Why the First 10K Users Matter<\/h4>\n\n\n\n

      The idea that the first 10,000 users of your app are the most important is a common principle in startup and product-development circles. It has been emphasized by various entrepreneurs, investors, and growth experts, including Paul Graham (co-founder of Y Combinator). Graham recommends starting with a small, loyal user base and creating a great experience for them before scaling. I\u2019ve tried to do exactly that by launching the product first in Spain and Andorra\u2014relatively small ski markets\u2014before rolling out in larger markets like the United States, France, Austria\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n

      The first 10K are important because:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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      • They validate the product:<\/strong> They show whether your app solves a real problem and if there\u2019s demand. They\u2019re the first sign you might be near product-market fit and that it\u2019s worth pursuing further.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • They help you improve the product:<\/strong> Feedback from early users lets you refine design, features, and growth strategy to prepare your product for bigger markets, where mistakes are costlier and missed opportunities more significant.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • They drive organic growth:<\/strong> If early users love your app, they\u2019ll recommend it and leave positive App Store reviews, bringing in new users naturally.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • They give you visibility:<\/strong> An active user base proves traction, making it easier to get featured in digital media or attract micro-influencers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • They allow you to test retention and monetization:<\/strong> Your metrics become statistically significant, letting you measure if users stick around and if your business model works.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
      • They define your ideal customer:<\/strong> They help you understand whom to target and how to position your app for your buyer persona.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

        My long-term goal (for now) is for Neu to reach 500 K users and 4 K subscribers. According to my estimates, that would generate an MRR of \u20ac4,000. With my first 10 K users, I have a much clearer idea of what I\u2019ve done well and what I need to improve before launching in larger markets and finding product\u2013market fit. I have from today until November to implement these changes and have everything ready before launching in those new markets for the next ski season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

        Okay, all of that will come later. How can I help you now get your app to its first 10,000 users? I\u2019ll share what has worked for me. Of course, that doesn\u2019t mean it will work exactly the same for you or that it\u2019s the only \u201cright\u201d way to hit 10K, but it should give you some ideas on where to start.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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        1. Choose the Right Idea for Your App<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

        Here, I believe it\u2019s about finding a balance among several factors. For me, there are five fundamental aspects I consider before committing to an idea for a new app: that the subject genuinely interests me; that it offers some technical or strategic advantage; that I identify a market opportunity with high demand and low competition; that it is monetizable from the outset; and that the app can scale and be maintained without becoming a burden in terms of operational time or server\/provider costs. The more of these factors you can align, the stronger your idea will be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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