When I was making Spool, I only wanted 2 features: a reverse chronological feed, and a way to muffle keywords like Twitterrific.
Later, I added a feature that allows you to use the mobile app as a Threads browser because I didn’t want to open Safari to check Threads on my phone. Once it was complete, I launched it. I didn’t ask anyone for their feedback because I knew it worked for me.1
Recently, I started thinking about another app idea. It’s one of those “helps you communicate better” SaaS things. All your conversations are threaded and organized and searchable. But it still has DMs because not all communications are public. It should also have polls, notifications, and follow-ups. And what the hell, let’s throw in task management too.
When the idea was more fleshed out, I pitched it to a friend over lunch. His reaction was like… the aliens politely clapping after Gary Oldman’s weapon demo in The Fifth Element.2
I don’t have coworkers, so I don’t need the app. My friend doesn’t have problems with communication at his job. The 2 of us discussing this app idea was like 2 blind men discussing an elephant.
I didn’t know where I was going with this idea, and that’s the scariest thing when making a product. It always seems like I don’t have enough features to impress the target audience. So, I keep thinking of new use cases and new features to add. In the end, the app became too complicated to make, then I gave up on the whole idea.