11
In today's episode of making features no one asked for instead of marketing
r/SideProject
7/15/2025
Content Summary
Developers discuss the common tendency to prioritize building new features over marketing efforts. DavidCBlack created an email automation suite for App Launcher instead of focusing on marketing. The conversation reveals shared struggles with marketing avoidance, discussions about deployment automation (Ploi), and feature-heavy development approaches (Kizune's AI chatbot with unique memory systems). Participants acknowledge the need for better marketing strategies while finding coding more enjoyable than promotion.
Opinion Analysis
Mainstream opinion acknowledges developers' preference for coding over marketing. Controversy exists between shipping features vs validating market need. Some advocate for marketing automation tools while others prioritize unique feature development. Debate emerges about whether to "build first" or validate with users. The_Mdk represents the feature-focused camp, while DavidCBlack suggests practical improvements like better landing pages.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| App Launcher | https://www.applauncher.io | App Directory | Email management & automation suite |
| Kizune | http://kizune.app | AI Chatbot | Long-term memory system, proactive messaging, affection system, native app feel |
| Ploi | Not mentioned | Deployment Automation | Automated commit deployment, server restarts |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Developers prioritize coding over marketing
- Marketing is perceived as boring grinding work
- Difficulty in creating effective landing pages
- Lack of user validation for new features
Problems to Solve:
- Need to automate marketing tasks
- Require user engagement strategies
- Need product validation before feature development
Potential Solutions:
- Develop tools to automate marketing workflows
- Create collaborative marketing efforts among developers
- Implement better onboarding/landing pages
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Feature automation for deployment (Ploi integration)
- Native app experience development (NuxtJS learning)
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Launch directories for cross-promotion
- Unique value propositions (affection systems in chatbots)
Monetization & Product:
- Focus on differentiating features over competitors
- "Code in production" rapid deployment approach
User Engagement:
- Guest access options for trial
- Real-time analytics monitoring
- Community building through developer collaborations