Building a successful solo business as a software developer involves more than just coding. It requires a mix of the right skills, mindset, and strategy. Here are some key principles that can guide your journey.

Leverage Your Skills

One of the biggest advantages of being a developer is the ability to create tools or services that solve real problems. The skills that you develop can allow you to build products that generate revenue, often with little need for continuous hands-on work. The trick is identifying the right opportunities and applying your knowledge to create something useful.

Mindset: Make Your Own Opportunities

Success often seems like luck, but it’s really about preparation meeting opportunity. Developers who keep an eye on trends and stay ready to act can seize the moment when the right chance arises. It's a matter of having the right skills and then watching for market gaps or emerging trends to fill.

Learn by Failing

Failure is part of the process. Most successful developers launch many projects, and only a few take off. It hurts a bit when our creations are ignored, but we can learn from each failure, improve, and try again. This mindset helps refine ideas and increase the chances of success.

Test Ideas Early

Instead of building in isolation, test your ideas early with real users. This can be a game-changer. Getting feedback quickly can help you avoid wasting time on ideas that won’t work. It’s better to find out early if your product is something people actually want before you’ve invested too much time and effort.

Focus on Tools You Like

The technology you choose should make your work easier. Whether it's your IDE or your PC or AI tools - use whatever helps YOU work efficiently. Simplicity and productivity are key when you’re working alone.

Don’t Forget Marketing

No matter how good your product is, without proper marketing, no one will find it. Personally, I hate the very idea of marketing - we're constantly bombarded with advertising and I hate to be the one generating it. But as a solo developer, it's a must. Building an audience through platforms like social media can be enough and is often the most effective way to get noticed. But any solid marketing plan can make all the difference.

Monetization

Once your product has value, consider different ways to monetize it. Offering free trials or limited free tiers can attract users. The key is to balance pricing so that you cover costs while still offering value to your customers.

Being a successful solo developer involves much more than just writing code. It’s about understanding the market - and then finding YOUR market. Then, continue refining your ideas through experience, and try creating a business around your skills. By staying adaptable and focusing on both product and marketing, you can build something sustainable.

Ben Santora - October 2024