Episodios
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It's tough to be a hiring manager right now. It's even harder when you're a bootstrapped company up against VC-backed startups and Big Tech companies with seemingly endless pockets. Listen in to hear what we're doing to compete.
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Matt Ronge on Twitter -
Do you want to build a product but don't know what to make? Yea, I know the pain. On this episode, I discuss the 3 main ways we come up with product ideas at Astropad.
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Matt Ronge on Twitter -
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We’re adding more managers to the Astropad team, and that got me thinking about the resources I suggest for new managers. It’s not an easy transition from an individual contributor to a people manager. If you read these books, you’ll be way ahead of the vast majority of managers out there.
Tune in to hear why I recommend these 3 books:
- The Making of Manager
- Radical Candor
- High Output ManagementOther resources
Matt Ronge on Twitter -
The week I recorded this episode, a popular iPad app made the switch to subscriptions and totally screwed it up. Drawing on that example and our own experience, I give suggestions on switching an existing app to subscriptions. Tune in to hear my 3 lessons for making the switch without blowing up your business.
On this episode, you'll learn:
Why you should be extra generous with existing customersWhy you shouldn't take away featuresHow to structure your communicationsAnd why more apps should switch to subscriptionsOther resources
Matt Ronge on TwitterMy Twitter thread on app subscriptionsA followup blog post that goes into more detail -
Earlier this summer, we were feeling pretty stuck. We had been working on Luna Display for Windows going on 2 years and we still hadn't shipped. So we put together a plan, picked a ship date, and committed to a final sprint. The result was...
... our second biggest launch of all time! 🙌 On this episode, I talk with Savannah about the planning that went into our incredibly successful Luna Display for Windows. We talk about our biggest sources of web traffic, why we think the launch did so well, and what surprised us as a pretty big launch failure (so far). Finally, hear how we faired on Product Hunt and why we might skip it in the future.
On this episode, you'll learn:
How we drove traffic for our launchWhat we expected to work that didn'tWhy we think the launch went so wellWhy we might skip Product Hunt next timePlus an update on how our 8,000 unit goal is going
Matt Ronge on TwitterSavannah Reising on Twitter
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I talk with Aneela Idnani of HabitAware, a company dedicated to helping people with Body Focused Repetitive Behavior – like hair pulling, skin picking, and nail biting. HabitAware makes a smart bracelet called Keen that helps control unwanted repetitive behavior.
They've been incredibly successful too, winning the MN Cup, named a Best Invention of 2018 by Time Magazine, and they've won government research grants from the NIH and NSF.
On this episode, we talk about she got started building hardware, what the early days of the company were like, why she is so passionate about mental health, and how they've funded the business so far.
What BFRB's are and why they are focused on curing themHow they built their first hardware prototypes (and why they built custom hardware)Why there's a big space to help people with mental healthHow Aneela has funded her business through unconventional methodsWhat's next for HabitAware
On this episode, you'll learn:
Matt Ronge on TwitterAneela's powerful TEDx TalkHabitAwareHabitAware on Twitter
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Love it or hate it writing marketing copy is necessary for all businesses. That's why I chat with Mark Lambert, a long-time copywriter, about his work with us and how he got started. We talk about the two main schools of thought in copywriting: the old school approach and the new storybrand method. We discuss how to pick a writing approach and resources to get started. We also talk about the importance of storytelling and how to improve at it.
Links
Matt Ronge on TwitterMark Lambert on TwitterMark's website
Old school approach: Copywriting Secrets by Jim EdwardsStorybrand: Building a Storybrand by Donald MillerFor good writing: Elements of Style by StrunkGreat storytelling: MrBallen
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I recently tweeted that I think the market for beautifully built, bespoke Mac apps is all but gone. Many people found this to be quite controversial, so on this episode, I break down why I think Mac apps are no longer a viable business model.
Tune in to hear why I believe the App Store, the web, Apple, and the shift to mobile have forever changed the Mac app market.
Matt Ronge on TwitterMy controversial tweet
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On this episode, Matt summarizes what's happened with regulators closing in on Apple's App Store and where he believes this is headed.
ALOT has happened in the past month:
South Korea just passed a new law requiring alternate in-app payment methodsJapan settled an antitrust inquiry and now "reader" apps can "special" link The EU, UK, Russia and India have activate investigationsAnd a class-action lawsuit was just settled with US App Store developersAnd we can't forget the biggest of all:
The new Open App Markets Act backed by Sen. Blumenthal, Blackburn, and Klobuchar..which Matt believes is the most exciting development. So tune in to catch up on the latest App Store anti-trust news.
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Matt Ronge on Twitter -
On this episode, Matt talks about why every company eventually needs to pivot and how it's not a sign of failure. He shares Astropad's story of pivoting and his lessons from that experience. Also hear examples from famous companies that had to pivot like Intel, Netflix, Nintendo, and even Apple.
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Matt Ronge on TwitterWe've been sherlocked by Apple, now what? | Ep. 1Only the Paranoid Survive by Andy Grove -
After a year of podcasting, Matt shares what he's learned and where he's taking the podcast next. Tune in to hear why he thinks podcasting is easier than blogging, what has worked to grow listeners, his suggestions for anyone starting a podcast, and what's in store for the future!
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Matt Ronge on Twitter -
Have you ever been stuck on the last 10% of a project? Us too. On this episode, Matt and Savannah share their ideas for getting unstuck.
It's hard to believe, but we've been working on bringing Astropad and Luna Display to Windows for over 2 years. While we are closer than ever, lately the end has felt far away. To give us that final push, we've shaken things up. Tune in to hear about the new goals and other changes to get us through the final 10% (and why the team likes it!).
On this episode, you'll learn:
Our current status on Windows projectsWhy we've gotten stuckOur ideas for giving us an extra push at the endOur big new goals that are motivating the team
Matt Ronge on TwitterSavannah Reising on Twitter
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Each year WWDC brings new competition and this year is no different. Earlier this month, Apple introduced fresh competition to our Luna Mac-to-Mac mode with new features in MacOS Monterey. Tune in to hear how we'll navigate this new threat.
We are no stranger to being sherlocked by Apple. Having been through this once before, we share our long-term predictions and why we this second time is so different. We talk about our plan to differentiate ourselves and how we're seizing this as an opportunity. Plus we share our tips for any company dealing with a new competitor.
On this episode, you'll learn:
How we are dealing with fresh competition from AppleWhy not all competition is equalWhat we think the long term impact will be for AstropadAnd how we feel about the whole thing
Matt Ronge on TwitterSavannah Reising on TwitterWWDC 2021 Airplay to Mac announcementAirPlay to Mac vs Luna Display Comparison
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This week's hot take is for the Apple indie developers out there. Inspired by WWDC, Matt shares a lesson he's learned the hard way: That as developers we often spend too much time on the wrong things.
What are the wrong things to be spending time on? You'll have to tune in to find out. Hint: They are fun to work on but don't help the customer solve their problem. Listen to this episode to find out what Matt believes you should be working on instead.
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Matt Ronge on Twitter -
Many of us have creative side projects that if only we could find the time for, we could really turn them into something big, but somehow we never get it done....
Today's guest, Tausif Hussain is the exception. Tausif has grown his YouTube channel to 40k subscribers and has been recognized by YouTube as a "Creator on the Rise" – while having a full-time job and family. On this episode, Matt talks with Tausif about how he's done it.
They talk through what got Tausif interested in YouTube, his suggestions for picking a topic, how he gets his inspiration, and why being unique is so important. Tausif shares his process for filming, editing, and promoting his videos and how he finds the time – all of this takes ALOT of time.
Matt and Tausif also talk about his early days on YouTube, his initial traction, what helped the most for growth, and what he wishes he could tell his old self starting out.
PS: Be sure to check out his series on filmmaking where he dives deep into his equipment, process,s and studio! Oh and don't forget to check out his tech videos which are just gorgeous.
On this episode, you'll learn:
How Tausif got inspired to create a YouTube channelHis process for filming, editing, and promoting videosWhere he gets his inspirationHow he got his initial traction on YouTubeAnd how he's grown it to 40k subscribersFinally, his advice for someone just starting out on YouTubeLinks
Matt Ronge on TwitterTausif Hussain on TwitterTausif's YouTube ChannelTausif on InstagramOther creators to check out:
Corey NeistatSam KolderPeter McKinnonJonathan Morrison -
It's our first ever guest episode, and we're excited to have Joshua Anderton on the podcast! We've shared our journey building Astropad but starting today, we'll also mix in the stories of other bootstrappers and creators.
On this episode, Matt talks with Joshua about his background in music and how he get started as a maker dabbling in software, podcasts, video, and more. He shares how started his business Upscribe and how it got initial traction. They dive into where Upscribe is at today, what's been the hardest part, what didn't go as planned, and what he wishes he could tell his younger self.
Matt and Joshua also talk about balancing being fathers and founders. Joshua shares the tips that have worked for him to be present with his family while making progress on all the projects he has. Hint: They're both still figuring it out.
And last but certainly not least, they talk about mental health and why there shouldn't be a stigma around asking for help.
PS: Joshua's Podmelon is also the company that edits our podcasts. So if you need podcasting editing, definitely check them out!
On this episode, you'll learn:
How Joshua got into podcasting, video editing, and software developmentHow he started and got initial traction with UpscribeHow he manages his time and gets (most) everything doneHow he balances being a father of 2 (soon to be 3) and a founderWhy managing your mental health and psychology is keyWhat he wishes he could tell his younger self
Justin JacksonJosh PigfordRob WallingNoah BraggVal Sopi
Other creators to check out:
Matt Ronge on TwitterJoshua Anderton on TwitterJoshua Anderton's personal siteUpscribe - Joshua's email marketing SaaS businessPodmelon - Joshua's podcast editing companyManager your own psychology as a founder | Ep. 21
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If you've been following the tech news, you've probably heard about the changes at Basecamp and the massive employee exodus that followed. So on this episode, Matt and Savannah dive into what happened at Basecamp and the lessons we can learn from it.
We talk through Basecamp banning politics at work and how that's only part of the story. We discuss the biggest mistake they made, not respecting their employees, and the major screw-up they made in their announcement. We share why we think it's impossible to ban politics from the workplace and what we'd do instead.
Finally, we also wrestle with how we've looked up to Basecamp and our view of them now.
Update: Since recording this episode, we've learned that 1/3 of the company has resigned in the wake of these changes.
What went down at BasecampWhy we think the founders of Basecamp made a huge mistakeWhy you need a strong team that's willing to stand up to the foundersWhy removing politics completely from the workspace isn't realistic And an alternate take on how we would have handled it
On this episode, you'll learn:
Matt Ronge on TwitterSavannah Reising on TwitterBasecamp's changes announcementThe Verge reporting on what happened at BasecampThe Verge reporting on the Basecamp all hands that caused 1/3 to quitTechcrunch on an employee exodusTweet: 1/3 of employees have since resigned
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You might think that successful products follow a straight path from idea to prototype and shipment, but in our experience, that's anything but the case. On this episode, Matt and Giovanni share the history of our first hardware product and the rocky journey to Luna Display 1.0.
They share where the initial concept for Luna Display came from, and why they decided to pursue it despite it being a hardware device, something they had no experience with. They talk through the ups and downs of prototyping, and the major setback early on in the project.
Finally, hear them reflect on how all projects tend to follow this pattern of ups and downs and how it's not obvious when to quit and when to keep going.
How even successful products have murky beginningsWhere the idea for Luna Display came fromOur up and down journey building LunaWhy we kept pursuing it, despite the setbacks
On this episode, you'll learn:
Matt Ronge on TwitterGiovanni Donelli on Twitter
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For a successful product, platform risk is probably your number #1 threat. On this episode, Matt talks about platform risk and how it's affected Astropad.
Tune in to hear Matt go through examples of platform risk and how he's sees it almost everywhere now – this isn't just an Apple ecosystem thing. He talks through platform risks, what you should be most concerned with and how to mitigate them.
Finally, he talks about companies handling platform risk well, and how the best answer of all is a feature that can't be copied easily, due to your competitor's business model, culture, tech debt, or positioning.
What platform risk is, along with examplesWhy you should care about itHow to fight platform riskWhich companies are mitigating platform risk well
On this episode, you'll learn:
Matt Ronge on TwitterBlog post: Why Getting Sherlocked by Apple Was a Blessing in DisguiseEpisode 1: We’ve been sherlocked by Apple, now what?
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You launched a successful Kickstarter and promised your backers a ship date, but now you're behind schedule. What do you do?
On this episode, Matt and Savannah share what's worked for them when announcing a Kickstarter update. Of course, you want to avoid a delay, but sometimes it happens. We've had to do it twice and we share the 7 step format we've used successfully.
This episode is what we wish we knew before we announced our first Kickstarter delay. We share our tips and the key reasons our delay announcements have had a relatively positive reaction – or at least as good as you can hope for. Hint: Transparency is key!
The format we use for announcing a delayWhy we've had a relatively positive reaction to our delays What you need to include in a Kickstarter delay announcementWhat NOT to do when making a project delay announcement
On this episode, you'll learn:
Matt Ronge on TwitterSavannah Reising on TwitterLuna Display for Windows KickstarterOur delay announcement
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