Matt Barrie
Episode 228: The Going Steady App: My Almost Brilliant Idea!
I almost changed forever the entire way people define relationships. The word “commitment” would have a new meaning. More babies would be born.
I’m thinking BIG.
Sometimes you want to try an idea and you don’t let yourself think about money.
If an idea is good, money is a side effect. Ideas are the real currency.
I met a brand new couple for breakfast. J and K. They told me they just had the “going steady” conversation.
“How’d you guys meet?”
“J-Swipe”. Or something like that. I forget. It was an online dating app.
“What does ‘going steady’ mean when you are both in your 40s?” I asked.
J was in his 40s. K wasn’t. I wondered if ‘going steady’ meant that he gave her a ring or something. There’s only so many more ‘going steady’s you have left in you at that age.
They both pulled out their phones. They were looking at each other’s phone and then showing me.
“We deleted all of the dating apps on our phone,” she said. But they were both peering at each other’s firm.
They needed confirmation.
Hmmmm!
Idea:
The “Going Steady” App
Both sides of the couple sign in to the app. Then they select the other person. Then when both sides select each other, the app deletes all the dating apps on their phone.
If they ever download a dating app again, the other side gets notified by email. Or if they “de-select” each other from “Going Steady” then both sides get notified by email.
Simple!
Extras:
– Notify FB and Twitter that they are “Going Steady”
– Keep track of anniversaries, gifts, places they go, significant memories, etc.
– Notify friends of anniversaries, etc.
BOOM!
The next day I wrote up the “spec”, which was actually just similar to what I wrote above.
I logged into freelancer.com. I opened a new project and cut and pasted my Spec in there.
It was weird to read prior chats I had had on the site. Since the last time I had uploaded a project in there was in 2006.
A customer service representative popped up a window and asked if I need help. I said, “Sure, why not?”
Meanwhile, within ten minutes I had about ten people bid to do my project.
I included in the Spec that they had to not only complete the app in 30 days but upload to the Apple store, the Google Play store, and do basic marketing for me.
People were bidding from China, India, and Kenya.
The average bid was $1000. I chatted with each one of them to make sure they understood what I was asking.
My basic test was this question: can an app on Android and Apple detect and delete other apps on Android and Apple?
The customer service representative recommended a developer as well. This developer cost more than $1000. More like $3500. That’s ok. I just wanted a good job done.
A small price to pay to change the future of evolution.
I asked this developer the same question.
Some of the developers would not upload to the stores or do any marketing. I crossed them off.
Others didn’t seem to understand my question about detecting other apps on the phone. I crossed them out. I didn’t want any communication problems with people from the opposite side of the world.
Finally, the recommended developer said, “I know you can do this on Android but not sure on Apple. Let me research.”
Five minutes later he came back. “It’s impossible to do this on Apple.”
We tried to figure out a work-around. Like if the device owner gave permissions, etc.
But there was no work-around.
“Ok,” I said, “thanks for your help.”
End of idea. End of project.
Total time it cost me: 45 minutes, from writing the spec, logging into the site, creating the project, talking to the developers.
Total money: I paid $29 to have a customer service representative help me.
Success? Failure? Neither.
It was an idea. I did the execution basics to see if I should pursue further. It didn’t. But I learned a lot. What it would cost to make an app, I learned a bit more about the Apple store, and I went through the process of trying to find a developer.
Do one “execution step” each day and it compounds into success.
I wrote J. “Remember that idea we spoke about? Here’s what I did.” And I described.
He wrote back.
“That’s the difference between you and me. We had an idea I was a lazy sack of s**t and you went ahead and tried do it.”
Meanwhile, he’s produced some of the best TV shows of all time.
But I almost changed the worldwide definition of “Going steady”. I almost increased the world population.
Some people say, “Almost doesn’t count”.
But I say, ” ‘Almost’ is is better than nothing. And ‘Almost’ every day eventually turns into Everything.”
Here’s what we talked about in the podcast:
[24:20] – The top freelancers on the site make seven figures a year. And the average project makes $166. Listen here to learn what skills they’re using.
[25:28] – Freelancing has changed the way we make money. Now, anyone from any country can earn a living. Matt said, “If you have access to a computer and the internet, the whole world has opened up to you.”
[30:03] – Matt told me the story of how he developed his company. He said he needed to figure out a simpler way to resolve “the annoyance in his gut.” I think that’s true for all good businesses.
[31:00] – In 2006, Matt failed. It was his first business (before freelancer.com). For six years he put all his heart and energy into it. “I walked out of that business a broken man,” he said. “I was devastated.” Matt was physically and mentally tired. He thought to himself, “What am I going to do with my life?” In the entrepreneurial journey, this is one of those dark moments. Listen to the story of how his dark moment turned into his most successful business endeavor.
[36:00] – Matt had a “wow” moment. He realized what his next life would be. He figured out how he would reinvent himself. But he had a hard time asking friends for help. He was embarrassed. Hear what he did…
[45:48] – Find out Matt’s proven strategies and secrets to increase revenue
[57:19] – AH-HA! This tip was brilliant. Matt told me how to find inspiration for new projects. This is important because inspiration always precedes reinvention.
Listen to my full conversation with Matt Barrie, CEO of Freelancer.com here:
Links and Resources
- Visit his website freelancer.com
- Follow Matt on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Follow Freelancer on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
- Download the Freelancer app here