Building Astropad

How to Compete for Top Talent Against VC-Backed Startups

Astropad — Thu, 20 Jan 2022 14:19:38 -0600

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.

Other resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter

How to come up with new product ideas

Astropad — Thu, 06 Jan 2022 10:55:53 -0600

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.

Other resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter

3 books for new managers

Astropad — Thu, 16 Dec 2021 10:27:52 -0600

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 Management

Other resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter

How NOT to screw up switching your app to subscriptions

Astropad — Thu, 02 Dec 2021 14:19:00 -0600

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 customers
Why you shouldn't take away features
How to structure your communications
And why more apps should switch to subscriptions

Other resources

How we created our second biggest launch ever

Astropad — Thu, 18 Nov 2021 12:40:08 -0600

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 launch
What we expected to work that didn't
Why we think the launch went so well
Why we might skip Product Hunt next time
Plus an update on how our 8,000 unit goal is going

Other resources

Building a hardware startup with Aneela Idnani

Astropad — Thu, 04 Nov 2021 19:16:24 -0500

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.

On this episode, you'll learn:

What BFRB's are and why they are focused on curing them
How they built their first hardware prototypes (and why they built custom hardware)
Why there's a big space to help people with mental health
How Aneela has funded her business through unconventional methods
What's next for HabitAware

Other resources

Learning copywriting with Mark Lambert

Astropad — Thu, 21 Oct 2021 14:50:24 -0500

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

Resources for learning copywriting

Old school approach: Copywriting Secrets by Jim Edwards
Storybrand: Building a Storybrand by Donald Miller
For good writing: Elements of Style by Strunk
Great storytelling: MrBallen

Why I wouldn’t build a business around Mac apps

Astropad — Tue, 28 Sep 2021 15:57:23 -0500

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.

Links

Here come the App Store regulators

Astropad — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 15:30:25 -0500

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 methods
Japan settled an antitrust inquiry and now "reader" apps can "special" link
The EU, UK, Russia and India have activate investigations
And a class-action lawsuit was just settled with US App Store developers

And 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.

Links

Matt Ronge on Twitter

Why you can’t avoid a pivot

Astropad — Thu, 26 Aug 2021 14:05:32 -0500

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.

Links

Lessons from a year of podcasting

Astropad — Thu, 05 Aug 2021 13:18:29 -0500

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!

Links

Matt Ronge on Twitter

How to push through the last 10% of a project

Astropad — Thu, 22 Jul 2021 15:39:28 -0500

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 projects
Why we've gotten stuck
Our ideas for giving us an extra push at the end
Our big new goals that are motivating the team

Other resources

Were we double sherlocked!?

Astropad — Thu, 01 Jul 2021 14:46:40 -0500

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 Apple
Why not all competition is equal
What we think the long term impact will be for Astropad
And how we feel about the whole thing

Other resources

As indie developers, we often focus on the wrong things

Astropad — Wed, 16 Jun 2021 19:47:55 -0500

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.

Links

Matt Ronge on Twitter

Tausif Hussain on building a YouTube audience

Astropad — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 08:57:06 -0500

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 channel
His process for filming, editing, and promoting videos
Where he gets his inspiration
How he got his initial traction on YouTube
And how he's grown it to 40k subscribers
Finally, his advice for someone just starting out on YouTube

Links

Other creators to check out:

Joshua Anderton on being a maker, bootstrapper, and father

Astropad — Thu, 27 May 2021 10:37:16 -0500

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 development
How he started and got initial traction with Upscribe
How he manages his time and gets (most) everything done
How he balances being a father of 2 (soon to be 3) and a founder
Why managing your mental health and psychology is key
What he wishes he could tell his younger self

Other creators to check out:

Other resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter
Joshua Anderton on Twitter
Joshua Anderton's personal site
Upscribe - Joshua's email marketing SaaS business
Podmelon - Joshua's podcast editing company
Manager your own psychology as a founder | Ep. 21

Don't pull a Basecamp

Astropad — Fri, 07 May 2021 09:43:09 -0500

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.

On this episode, you'll learn:

What went down at Basecamp
Why we think the founders of Basecamp made a huge mistake
Why you need a strong team that's willing to stand up to the founders
Why removing politics completely from the workspace isn't realistic
And an alternate take on how we would have handled it

Other resources

The messy beginnings of new products

Astropad — Thu, 29 Apr 2021 11:17:56 -0500

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.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How even successful products have murky beginnings
Where the idea for Luna Display came from
Our up and down journey building Luna
Why we kept pursuing it, despite the setbacks

Other resources

Dealing with platform risk

Astropad — Thu, 15 Apr 2021 08:00:00 -0500

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.

On this episode, you'll learn:

What platform risk is, along with examples
Why you should care about it
How to fight platform risk
Which companies are mitigating platform risk well

Other resources

7 steps for announcing a Kickstarter delay

Astropad — Thu, 08 Apr 2021 09:36:04 -0500

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!

On this episode, you'll learn:

The format we use for announcing a delay
Why we've had a relatively positive reaction to our delays
What you need to include in a Kickstarter delay announcement
What NOT to do when making a project delay announcement

Other resources

An updated timeline for our Luna Kickstarter

Astropad — Tue, 30 Mar 2021 09:45:24 -0500

We've made a ton of progress on Luna Display for Windows, but we realized we need more time for the HDMI units in recent weeks. USB-C units will ship on time in May, but HDMI units are behind schedule. On this episode, Matt breaks down why the HDMI units are behind schedule and what we're doing to avoid further delays.

Please tune in to hear why Matt's confident we'll overcome these hurdles and get your Lunas shipped! Thanks for being patient with us. We know it will be worth the wait. 🙏

On this episode, you'll learn:

The progress we've made on Luna Display for Windows
Why we need more time for the HDMI units
When you can expect to receive your units
The steps we are taking to avoid further delays

Other resources

We launched Project Blue!

Astropad — Wed, 24 Mar 2021 14:13:36 -0500

We're super excited to share Project Blue with the world, a project we've been working on for nearly 2 years!

On this episode, Matt breaks down what Project Blue is and why it's a big deal for customers interested in Windows support. Also, why yet another app? You'll have to tune in to hear the technical decisions that led us to create a new app – at least for the time being.

So take Project Blue for a test drive. It's a free public beta for Windows. And please share your feedback!

On this episode, you'll learn:

What's Project Blue?
How does this apply to the Luna Kickstarter?
Why is this another app?
What's the long-term plan for Project Blue?

Other resources

When is it time for a second product?

Astropad — Thu, 18 Mar 2021 14:10:56 -0500

Deciding between doubling down on an existing product or building a new one is never easy. Both options have the potential for massive upside, but both also have massive risks. Even worse, it’s not clear until much later which choice was correct, and sometimes it’s never clear.

So how are you supposed to make sense of this? On this episode, Matt shares a few points he considers when deciding if it’s time to build a new product.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

The biggest reasons to consider a second product.
Why multiple products can be more powerful than just one (think ecosystems)
The types of companies that typically build multiple products earlier
When it's better to spend time on what you have rather than making a new product

Other resources

Apple's no good antitrust week

Astropad — Thu, 11 Mar 2021 15:40:46 -0600

On this episode, Matt shares the latest Apple antitrust news and where he thinks this is all headed.

Just this past week:

A bill passed in Arizona forces Apple to allow alternate App Store payment mechanisms
The UK has opened an investigation into Apple
The EU has completed its investigation and will be bringing charges against Apple
The Whitehouse hired Timothy Wu, a big tech critic, as an advisor.

So where is this all headed? What does this mean for app developers? And how did Astropad get wrapped up in all this? Tune in to hear.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

What the House Antitrust Subcommittee had to say about Apple
How the EU, UK, and US states are closing in on Apple
Why legislation from US states might be the most potent weapon yet
Where I think all of this is headed.
Finally, what does all of this mean for app developers?

Other resources

Matt's suggested tools for starting a company

Astropad — Thu, 04 Mar 2021 12:03:01 -0600

When starting a new company, it's easy to get overwhelmed by options. So what's a new founder to do?

Thankfully there are more resources than ever for starting a company, but it's also easier than ever to be stuck in analysis paralysis. Based on his experience building Astropad, Matt shares what he thinks are the best options for setting up a company today.

Matt talks through some of the mistakes he's made setting up Astropad and how he'd avoid them today (Stripe Atlas!). He suggests his favorite tools for the (boring) business essentials like bookkeeping, payroll, banking, and accounting. All of his picks are about minimizing work, so you can get back to the fun parts of building a company.

And if you're setting up a remote team, hear why Google Apps, Slack, Zoom, and Notion should be your go-to.

Finally, he also shares his take on going solo vs. having a cofounder, whether remote-first and if he'd bootstrap again.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How to incorporate your company (LLC or C Corp?)
What services to use for bookkeeping, payroll, banking and accounting.
Why Matt prefers SaaS tools whenever possible.
The essential tools for organizing a remote team
The basics needed for a good analytics stack
How to handle payments (Hint: Shopify and Stripe)

Company Setup

Stripe Atlas - Super easy company incorporation
Quickbooks Online - The standard for bookkeeping
Gusto - Low maintenance payroll

Organizing a remote team

Google Workspace - Email, collaborative apps, single sign-on!
Zoom - The (new) standard in video conferencing
Slack - The company watercooler and chat system
Notion - The place for long term knowledge

Analytics

Google Analytics - Free web/app analytics
Google Data Studio - Visualize and analyze your data!
Google Sheets - A solid Excel replacement

Payments

Stripe - The defacto payment provider
Shopify - The best way to sell physical goods

Servers

Wordpress on Flywheel - A solid Wordpress host
Heroku - The easiest way to run a production app server

Other resources

Our approach to bootstrapping, the snowball effect

Astropad — Thu, 25 Feb 2021 20:48:56 -0600

Most startups raise money from investors, but what if there was a better, more sustainable way to build a company?

On this episode, Matt and Savannah break down how we've bootstrapped Astropad from nothing to a multi-million dollar business. We talk about why we've opted not to raise money from investors and how our approach has shaped the company, from hiring to what products we build.

Matt talks about working for a venture capital backed startup and how that experience turned him off from pursuing VC money. Hear how we instead rely on what we call the "snowball effect" to tackle bigger problems and grow the company.

Bootstrapping isn't for everyone, though. We talk about the biggest limitations of bootstrapping and why it can feel like sometimes "sailing into the wind."

Finally, hear about the times Matt does think it's a good idea to take VC funding (and if would he ever consider doing so) 👀

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How to decide whether to raise money or bootstrap
Why we've opted not to raise money
Our "snowball" approach for bootstrapping
The biggest downsides to bootstrapping
The main differences between bootstrapped and VC startups

Links and resources

Managing your psychology as a founder

Astropad — Thu, 11 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0600

Having a positive outlook is essential for making progress, so how do you stay positive when times are tough?

When you're working for someone else, it's easy to blame your negativity and lack of productivity on problems around you. When you're on your own, there's nobody to blame but yourself.

On this episode, episode Matt talks about how he manages his psychology as a founder and CEO. He shares his tips for regaining control and having a positive attitude.

It's easy to get frustrated when a new competing product launches, another competitor raises a monster round of funding while you're bootstrapping, or those new customer numbers are falling flat. You're not alone in feeling frustrated.

Tune in to hear what's worked for Matt to work through those feelings and keep moving forward.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

Why managing your psychology is more important than you think (Hint: your team)
Tips for digging yourself when the inevitable rut occurs
Ideas for taking action, and turning lemons into lemonade

Links and resources

4 things business school doesn't teach but should

Astropad — Thu, 04 Feb 2021 10:58:22 -0600

What if business school isn't great preparation for running a startup?

On this episode, we talk about what Savannah learned in business school and how it didn't prepare her for the scrappy startup world. We talk about why business school is better suited for the corporate world, how money doesn't solve everything and how bootstrapped startups are for those that get their hands dirty.

Savannah shares tips on:

How to talk to customers
How to be scrappy
When to roll up your sleeves
And why you need to fail (sometimes)

If you're a student interested in entrepreneurship, definitely tune in for this one.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

On this episode, you'll learn:

How a typical business school doesn't prepare you for startups
Savannah's top 4 fundamental lessons for bootstrapped startups
Her tips for filling in the knowledge gaps that school left

Links and resources

What goes into making a hardware product?

Astropad — Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:29:54 -0600

Have you ever wondered how a hardware product goes from concept to market? On this episode, Matt talks through the steps needed to make consumer electronic products. He goes through the disciplines required, like electrical design, industrial design, manufacturing, distribution, and how a small team can juggle it all. We didn’t know any of this before our first Kickstarter. This can be SUPER intimidating, so we hope this is a good overview for anyone getting started with building consumer hardware.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter

The current status of Luna Display for Windows

Astropad — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 09:29:01 -0600

On this episode, Matt gives an update on our Kickstarter project: Luna Display for Window. Matt talks through our latest progress, our biggest successes so far, and what upcoming challenges remain. Hear about our recent test manufacturing run and how we're scaling up PC compatibility testing. Matt also talks through the remaining software development and how this compares to our first Kickstarter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter

On being a Dad and a startup founder

Astropad — Thu, 14 Jan 2021 11:32:29 -0600

Is it possible to have work-life balance while being a Dad and a startup founder? On this episode, Matt shares his experience being a Dad of two young kids while building a growing company. We talk about how he balances work and family, how being a parent has made him a better CEO, and his advice for starting a family and a business at the same time. We discuss the hardest thing about having young kids and the sacrifices he's had to make. Also, hear what his wife thinks about all of this 😄.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

How we prioritize deep, meaningful work

Astropad — Thu, 17 Dec 2020 13:43:40 -0600

It's easy to get lost in little tasks and not have accomplished anything important by the end of the day. Inspired by a recent article from Cal Newport on Getting Things Done, we share our strategies for prioritizing meaningful work. We talk about the little tricks we've used to tame our to-do lists while focusing on the big picture. We share what's worked for us, what hasn't, and how we promote deep work across the company.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

That time we got kicked off the App Store

Astropad — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 09:19:26 -0600

This is a story we've never shared until now: we got kicked off the App Store during our first year. On this episode, hear how it all went down. We discuss our mistakes and the sleepless nights we had before Apple put us back. Finally, learn about App Store changes that we suspect came as a result of our saga (sorry fellow developers!)

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Wrapping up our 2nd Kickstarter campaign

Astropad — Thu, 03 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0600

We've now raised over $1 million across two Kickstarter campaigns! With our most recent campaign a wrap, we reflect on what worked and what didn't. Hear how we used paid ads to keep momentum, how newsletter sponsorships faired, and how our grand finale fell through. Finally, we talk about the personal burnout we're feeling now that the campaign has ended.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Apple, here's how to stop the antitrust investigation

Astropad — Thu, 19 Nov 2020 11:03:26 -0600

After getting wrapped up in the antitrust investigation into Apple, we spent a lot of time thinking about how the App Store needs to change. So we're sharing our solutions for how Apple could avoid future anti-trust action. We talk through 5 changes Apple could make right now which would stop government intervention, build a more vibrant app economy for developers, and give consumers more choices.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Kickstarter: Lessons from our first 24 hrs live

Astropad — Thu, 12 Nov 2020 11:32:18 -0600

We were shocked by the first 24 hours of our Kickstarter campaign. We share what worked and what barely performed for us in those opening hours of our campaign on this episode. Hear how our biggest email list underperformed while our smallest list delivered way beyond our expectations. We discuss why it was hard to get press traction and what we'd do differently next time. If you're launching a hardware product on Kickstarter this is a must-listen.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Getting started building hardware products

Astropad — Thu, 05 Nov 2020 09:35:42 -0600

Are you interested in building hardware products? Then this episode is for you. We go over the basics of getting into hardware product development for people with a background in software. We talk about what makes building hardware different and the real world constraints you'll have to fight. We talk about the variety of skills needed to produce hardware products. Finally, we go over the stages of hardware development and make suggestions on getting started prototyping.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

Matt Ronge on Twitter
Sparkfun - Good for prototypes
Arduino - Also a great option for prototypes
Oshpark - Get your board spun
Amateur Radio Sleuthing Pins Down Source of Strange RF Interference - Interference can be a big deal!
iFixit Gadget Teardowns - A great source of consumer electronics teardowns
Debugging example - Here's what debugging a board can look like

Our secrets to getting press coverage

Astropad — Thu, 15 Oct 2020 08:00:00 -0500

You've made an awesome new project, now how do you let the world know about it? On this episode, we talk through our strategies for getting press coverage ahead of our Kickstarter launch. We dive into the specifics, sharing our email subject lines, what our emails include, and how we customize for each journalist. We give tips on sending cold emails and how Twitter can be a secret weapon. Finally, we discuss how to build a press list and when to start sending emails.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

What we've learned porting our apps to Windows

Astropad — Tue, 06 Oct 2020 10:19:42 -0500

After getting sherlocked last year, it became clear that cross-platform support was make or break for our company. In this episode, we talk with members of our engineering team to find out how they pulled it off. Learn how we tried to avoid rewriting our code but ultimately found we had to. Hear why we chose the Rust programming language for the rewrite and how it's our future development strategy. Finally, we discuss the most challenging parts of porting to Windows and provide advice for others doing the same.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Links and resources

The Making of Astropad 1.0 - Part II

Astropad — Thu, 17 Sep 2020 08:00:00 -0500

Apple calls you the night before your launch and asks for significant changes. What do you do? On this episode, hear how we reacted.

We also talk post-launch blues and taking a leap of faith. We discuss how we made the business sustainable, what ultimately moved the needle for us, and how Apple Pencil changed everything. We talk about how the Minnesota Cup connected us with mentors that changed the direction of our business. Finally, we discuss managing our psychology and why knowing your limitations as a founder is critical.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[0:50] Followup: "Stay aggressive!"
[1:40] Our post-launch blues.
[3:30] Taking a leap of faith and going fulltime on the business.
[4:30] A late-night call from Apple.
[7:10] A phase of doubt.
[10:00] Making the switch to the App Store.
[12:00] Turning the tide with marketing campaigns.
[16:30] Minnesota Cup and finding the right mentors.
[20:00] Apple Pencil changes everything.
[23:00] Knowing your limitations as a founder.
[24:50] Why managing your psychology is critical.

Links and resources

Kickstarter: Creating an awesome Kickstarter video

Astropad — Thu, 03 Sep 2020 09:46:54 -0500

It's crunch time! In this episode, we discuss designing our Kickstarter page and shooting our Kickstarter video. We dive into our process that has consistently given us awesome videos. We talk about writing our script, what we look for in a location, what we do for voice over and music. We also touch on organizing our Kickstarter page and how we like to recycle our best content ♻️.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:45] Creative assets needed for Kickstarter.
[3:20] How we design our Kickstarter page.
[4:00] What should go in the video vs on the page.
[6:00] How to organize your Kickstarter page.
[8:15] Planning for the Kickstarter video.
[9:50] What's our process for making a video?
[11:00] How we write the script.
[14:50] Building our shot list.
[18:40] Finding a shoot location.
[22:00] Who does our video shoot?
[26:30] Looking for the right set.
[28:20] How we handle voiceover and music.
[30:42] Editing the video.
[35:00] What type of video to shoot: interview vs commercial?
[38:20] How long should your Kickstarter video be?
[40:30] Our final Kickstarter video tips.
[41:00] Our book recommendations.

Links and resources

The making of Astropad 1.0

Astropad — Thu, 27 Aug 2020 08:00:00 -0500

Creating something new is never easy, and the making of Astropad 1.0 was no different. In this episode, we talk through the ups and downs of building and launching Astropad. We discuss how we met at Apple, the origins of our idea, a critical moment that transformed the project, and how we hit total mental burnout close to the finish line. We also go over useful topics like how to pick a cofounder and how to go from a consulting shop to a product company.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:30] How we met.
[4:00] Our time at Apple (circa 2006)
[8:30] Reconnecting and consulting together.
[10:00] Why a 50/50 founder split was key.
[12:00] How to pick a cofounder.
[18:30] Officially founding Astro HQ.
[20:00] How we got the idea for Astropad.
[24:00] Creation vs. consumption and going against the grain.
[27:00] Creating early prototypes.
[29:00] Building our LIQUID tech and betting on the future.
[34:00] A key moment that transformed the project.
[37:00] The long road to launch day.
[41:00] Going into marketing mode.
[45:00] We hit total mental burnout.
[46:20] Launch day.
[50:30] Our book recommendations.

Links and resources

"Stay aggressive!" - Tom Kalinske

Kickstarter: What keeps us up at night

Astropad — Tue, 18 Aug 2020 22:10:28 -0500

Launching a Kickstarter campaign can be a nerve-racking experience. In this episode, we discuss our greatest fears launching a Kickstarter campaign and how we are mitigating them. We respond to common pre-launch questions and talk about ways to set yourself up for success. We go through what is and isn't worth worrying about, what social psychology tells us about launching, and a dirty secret about Kickstarter goals. 👀

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:30] Launching a Kickstarter campaign in uncertain times.
[3:00] Are people funding campaigns during an economic recession?
[5:50] Timing your Kickstarter campaign around major events.
[8:30] What if you don't hit your campaign goal?
[9:20] The Spotlight Effect
[13:30] How complete should your prototype be?
[18:00] Nailing your product messaging.
[22:00] Is your email list big enough?
[25:50] What if you barely surpass the goal?
[27:00] The dirty secret of Kickstarter goals.
[30:13] What if you get no press coverage?
[36:00] Our book recommendations.

Links and resources

Kickstarter: 5 ways to grow an email list before your Kickstarter launch

Astropad — Thu, 06 Aug 2020 21:53:57 -0500

A pre-launch email list is essential for launching a new project on Kickstarter. In this episode, we share how and why we are building a new email list for our next campaign. We walk through the 5 ways we are growing our list including: paid ads, SEO, giveaways, sponsorships, and free betas. We talk email conversion rates, why quality is better than quantity, and when you should get started building an email list. Finally, learn how our favorite list building strategy is free!

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:07] Why is a pre-launch email list essential?
[2:17] Using momentum to create FOMO.
[4:20] Why email over other channels like social?
[8:00] What our email list looked like when we started.
[10:30] Why we are building a new email list.
[15:08] Our new strategy for building an email list.
[17:30] Using blog content and SEO to drive email sign-ups.
[24:35] How we are using paid ads to drive sign-ups.
[28:00] Tips for Facebook and Instagram advertising.
[30:00] How we create assets for social ads.
[34:00] How we are using giveaways to get emails.
[38:30] Newsletter and website sponsorships.
[39:30] Using a free public beta to drive email sign-ups.
[45:00] How soon do you need to start building an email list?
[47:00] What if you don't have an existing audience?
[51:50] Our book recommendations. 👀

Links and resources

Kickstarter: How we launched a $645,000 campaign

Astropad — Thu, 30 Jul 2020 22:13:42 -0500

Matt and Savannah discuss the process behind Astropad's first wildly successful Kickstarter. They talk through their entire launch strategy, step by step, and give tips on how to apply it to your campaign. They dive deep into their press strategy and talk about how you can cut through the noise to get press attention. They also share their unique tricks for building momentum and getting noticed by Kickstarter.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:10] Our history with Kickstarter.
[2:30] Why we chose to do a Kickstarter.
[5:05] Kickstarter vs. Indiegogo
[8:54] What do we wish we knew the first time around?
[10:20] Why the first and last 48 hrs are critical.
[12:30] Do a 30-day campaign, not 60.
[14:30] Our Kickstarter launch process.
[15:20] Our strategy for getting press coverage.
[22:10] How to find press contacts.
[23:90] Email subjects can make or break getting press.
[25:00] Two days before our launch.
[27:00] The day of our launch 🚀
[27:25] Our strategy for building Kickstarter momentum.
[33:20] What we did immediately after our launch.
[34:44] Getting featured by Kickstarter.
[38:30] What we are doing differently the second time around.
[46:24] Our book recommendation 👀

Links and resources

Tactics for Creative Freelancers in Uncertain Times

Astropad — Tue, 14 Jul 2020 21:44:07 -0500

Matt sits down with Rachal Duggan, Astropad's head of social media, to talk about her side career as an illustrator. She shares how she's built an 11,000 person following on Instagram and why it's the lifeblood of her business. Rachal talks about how the freelance art business has been affected by COVID and shares tips on pivoting your business. She also touches on pitching for work and what her advice is to other freelancers.

Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

Episode Summary

[1:20] Rachal's background and how she got started.
[4:00] How she gained 11,000 followers on Instagram.
[5:50] Why she's always creating.
[8:40] How do customers find and contact Rachal?
[10:40] Why the key to building a following is patience and consistency.
[12:50] On being human.
[14:40] How the pandemic has affected her business.
[18:22] What does the freelance art market look like right now?
[20:05] Ideas for pivoting during COVID.
[24:50] On finding your unique angle.
[28:13] Advice for other freelance illustrators.
[31:38] How to pitch successfully for projects.

Links and resources

We've been sherlocked by Apple, now what?

Astropad — Wed, 01 Jul 2020 08:00:00 -0500

It's been a year since Astropad got sherlocked by Apple. Matt and Savannah sit down to reflect on the previous year and what happened behind the scenes. They talk about their immediate reactions during WWDC, how the team grilled Matt, what happened to our sales immediately after, and why they think this will end up being a good thing for the company.

They also share:

How launching a new feature called Mac to Mac was pivotal.
Why we waited so long to go to Windows.
Why the company is transitioning to the Rust programming language.
And finally a preview of what's coming next.

Episode Summary

[1:40] What does getting sherlocked mean?
[3:40] Did we see it coming? Why not?
[8:25] What did it feel like? How did we react?
[15:37] What the founders talked about behind the scenes.
[18:59] Why did we wait so long to go to Windows.
[21:50] A blessing in disguise.
[22:50] Why Rust?
[25:00] What happened to our sales.
[29:30] How we stayed afloat.
[30:50] Major branding issues.
[33:26] A pivotal moment for the team.
[37:45] COVID Hits.
[39:30] What's next.
[41:33] Advice to other companies that get sherlocked.

Links and resources