Curtis has won an Apple Developer Award, so Alice and Jelly give him the ultimate gift: an Independence reunion. They discuss what it’s like to win such a coveted award, what they’ve been doing in the last couple of years, and whether or not any of them are actually still indies.

<p>Curtis has won an Apple Developer Award, so Alice and Jelly give him the ultimate gift: an Independence reunion. They discuss what it’s like to win such a coveted award, what they’ve been doing in the last couple of years, and whether or not any of them are actually still indies.</p>

67: A Milestone, Not a Disappointment

Curtis had a topic planned, but Alice and Jelly ruined everything. The three talk about their experiences through out the course of Independence, how things have changed, why it’s ending, and ultimately answer the question of whether they still aim to be independent.

<p>Curtis had a topic planned, but Alice and Jelly ruined everything. The three talk about their experiences through out the course of Independence, how things have changed, why it’s ending, and ultimately answer the question of whether they still aim to be independent.</p>

66: Keep Not Wearing Pants

If you’re considering doing an app with subscriptions, there’s some things you may want to consider before you make that move, as it’s not necessarily the best answer for every situation. Curtis and Jelly have been using subscriptions for a while, so Alice quizzes them on how things have been going, in the hopes that it’ll give her an answer on whether she should move to using them herself.

<p>If you’re considering doing an app with subscriptions, there’s some things you may want to consider before you make that move, as it’s not necessarily the best answer for every situation. Curtis and Jelly have been using subscriptions for a while, so Alice quizzes them on how things have been going, in the hopes that it’ll give her an answer on whether she should move to using them herself.</p>

65: Subscriptions

After launching a new thing—or an update to a thing—Jelly likes to stop, look back at the process, and evaluate how things went. For him, it involves considering the answers to some key questions, and he decides that it’s worth forcing Alice and Curtis through this process. Together, they discuss recent launches, how they went, and what they feel could have gone better… or worse. Show notes:Episode 6: LaunchesEpisode 45: Launching an App (feat. Heidi Helen Pilypas &amp; Ish Shabazz)Episode 59: App Launch Map (feat. Aleen Simms)

<p>After launching a new thing—or an update to a thing—Jelly likes to stop, look back at the process, and evaluate how things went. For him, it involves considering the answers to some key questions, and he decides that it’s worth forcing Alice and Curtis through this process. Together, they discuss recent launches, how they went, and what they feel could have gone better… or worse.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://independence.fm/6" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 6: Launches</a></li><li><a href="https://independence.fm/45" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 45: Launching an App (feat. Heidi Helen Pilypas &amp; Ish Shabazz)</a></li><li><a href="https://independence.fm/59" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 59: App Launch Map (feat. Aleen Simms)</a></li></ul>

64: Post-Launch Review

Running a successful business is hard, and with the myriad of decisions that you make, it’s also difficult to do so in an ethical way. Alice, Curtis, and Jelly look back at the decisions they’ve made in trying to run ethical businesses, how they’ve worked out long term, and whether they’ve been the right choices in the long term. Show notes:Game Maker's Toolkit: How to Keep Players Engaged (Without Being Evil)

<p>Running a successful business is hard, and with the myriad of decisions that you make, it’s also difficult to do so in an ethical way. Alice, Curtis, and Jelly look back at the decisions they’ve made in trying to run ethical businesses, how they’ve worked out long term, and whether they’ve been the right choices in the long term.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://youtu.be/hbzGO_Qonu0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Game Maker's Toolkit: How to Keep Players Engaged (Without Being Evil)</a></li></ul>

63: Ethical Businesses

If there’s one thing that’s important when building a business around software, it’s data, but there are also downsides to collecting the data, both for us as business-owners, and for our customers. Alice, Jelly and Curtis talk about their approaches to data collection, and why it’s best to keep privacy in mind when creating software. Show notes:Designing for Privacy (WWDC 2019)

<p>If there’s one thing that’s important when building a business around software, it’s data, but there are also downsides to collecting the data, both for us as business-owners, and for our customers. Alice, Jelly and Curtis talk about their approaches to data collection, and why it’s best to keep privacy in mind when creating software.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2019/708/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Designing for Privacy (WWDC 2019)</a></li></ul>

62: Data Privacy

It’s sometimes far too easy to get caught up in the idea that when we create something as indies, it’s for other people, but that doesn’t need to be the case. Alice, Curtis and Jelly discuss their own approach to starting new things, and why it’s sometimes worthwhile.

<p>It’s sometimes far too easy to get caught up in the idea that when we create something as indies, it’s for other people, but that doesn’t need to be the case. Alice, Curtis and Jelly discuss their own approach to starting new things, and why it’s sometimes worthwhile.</p>

61: Starting New Projects

Growing our products and acquiring new users is something that most indies aren’t particularly good at, but it’s a significant factor in achieving success in the App Store. Alice, Curtis and Jelly take a look at their own approaches to growth, why they’ve worked out—or not, as the case may be—and why you would want to be intentional about your growth.

<p>Growing our products and acquiring new users is something that most indies aren’t particularly good at, but it’s a significant factor in achieving success in the App Store. Alice, Curtis and Jelly take a look at their own approaches to growth, why they’ve worked out—or not, as the case may be—and why you would want to be <em>intentional</em> about your growth.</p>

60: Intentional Growth

Long time friend of the show, Aleen Simms, joins our trio to talk about her upcoming project, App Launch Map, and how it helps define basic strategies for successfully launching an app on the App Store. Show notes:Aleen Simms (Twitter)App Launch Map (Twitter)App Launch Map (Website)Tell Us Your Story – App Store Submission Form

<p>Long time friend of the show, <a href="https://twitter.com/aleen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aleen Simms</a>, joins our trio to talk about her upcoming project, <a href="https://applaunchmap.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">App Launch Map</a>, and how it helps define basic strategies for successfully launching an app on the App Store.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://twitter.com/Aleen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Aleen Simms (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/AppLaunchMap" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">App Launch Map (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href="https://applaunchmap.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">App Launch Map (Website)</a></li><li><a href="https://developer.apple.com/contact/app-store/promote/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Tell Us Your Story – App Store Submission Form</a></li></ul>

59: App Launch Map

If there’s one thing we rely on as indies, it’s inspiration. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have it, and learning how to feed it and channel it is a core part of what we need to do to survive. Alice, Jelly and Curtis take a look at where they get inspiration from, what they do when it’s not flowing, how they think they could get better at fostering it.

<p>If there’s one thing we rely on as indies, it’s inspiration. We wouldn’t be here if we didn’t have it, and learning how to feed it and channel it is a core part of what we need to do to survive. Alice, Jelly and Curtis take a look at where they get inspiration from, what they do when it’s not flowing, how they think they could get better at fostering it.</p>

58: Inspiration

Surviving in the muddy waters of the App Store as an indie isn’t easy. Alice Zhao, Curtis Herbert and Daniel “Jelly” Farrelly explore what it means to them, what they do to make it work, and how to claim your independence.

I used to think this was a 11 star show but recently have felt the quality had gone way done hill.  The main reason is that Curtis reminds me of your co-worker who must talk over you and must always correct every little thing.  Would love to hear from more people than Curtis

Used to be my favourite show

Hey guys,

I&#39;ve listened to about half of your show now and just wanted to really thank you for putting the time and effort forth to produce this podcast! It has been very helpful and inspiring to me. I&#39;ve been developing iOS apps independently for 2 years now and only found this a few months ago. Keep up the great work ok!!  I&#39;ve also recommended this podcast to a bunch of others here in the san diego area. 

-jon

Awesome, inspiring, helpful

Independence

Getting from idea to a minimum viable product is difficult, because it’s all about knowing what to ship, and making the right decisions early on. Alice is about to start the journey for the third time, so she asks Curtis and Jelly how their first submissions went, and what they feel like they learned from the process. Show notes:SketchIndependence 22: Feature CreepPrototyping: Fake It Till You Make It (WWDC 2014)

<p>Getting from idea to a minimum viable product is difficult, because it’s all about knowing what to ship, and making the right decisions early on. Alice is about to start the journey for the third time, so she asks Curtis and Jelly how their first submissions went, and what they feel like they learned from the process.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.sketchapp.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sketch</a></li><li><a href="https://independence.fm/22" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Independence 22: Feature Creep</a></li><li><a href="https://developer.apple.com/videos/play/wwdc2014/223/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Prototyping: Fake It Till You Make It (WWDC 2014)</a></li></ul>

24: Minimum Viable Product

Customer support is a huge part of any business where you create products. Dealing with problems, handling requests and getting 1-star reviews all comes with the territory, so what is the best way to interact with customers? Alice, Curtis and Jelly examine their own practices to figure out what they’re doing right, and maybe give each other a little help with the process. Show notes:The Customer Support Handbook, by Sarah Hatter (Amazon)

<p>Customer support is a huge part of any business where you create products. Dealing with problems, handling requests and getting 1-star reviews all comes with the territory, so what is the best way to interact with customers? Alice, Curtis and Jelly examine their own practices to figure out what they’re doing right, and maybe give each other a little help with the process.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Customer-Support-Handbook-Ultimate-Experience-ebook/dp/B00J5HX64Q/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=jellystyle-20&amp;linkId=03d30b44fdd9280177b6cd794a57ea38" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Customer Support Handbook, by Sarah Hatter (Amazon)</a></li></ul>

8: Interacting with Customers

There’s a lot that goes on when launching a new app: marketing, feedback… and watching the sales chart desperately hoping that things go according to plan. Heidi Helen Pilypas and Ish Shabazz join the show to talk about the recent launch of Capsicum, along with all the excitement and horror that ensued. Show notes:Capsicum (Website)Capsicum (App Store)Heidi Helen Pilypas (Twitter)Ish Shabazz (Twitter)Dropbox Showcase

<p>There’s a lot that goes on when launching a new app: marketing, feedback… and watching the sales chart desperately hoping that things go according to plan. <a href="https://twitter.com/heidi_helen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heidi Helen Pilypas</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/ishabazz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ish Shabazz</a> join the show to talk about the recent launch of <a href="https://capsicum.app" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Capsicum</a>, along with all the excitement and horror that ensued.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://capsicum.app/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Capsicum (Website)</a></li><li><a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/capsicum-by-illuminated-bits/id1250939452" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Capsicum (App Store)</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/heidi_helen" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Heidi Helen Pilypas (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href="https://twitter.com/ishabazz" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ish Shabazz (Twitter)</a></li><li><a href="https://showcase.dropbox.com/showcases" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Dropbox Showcase</a></li></ul>

45: Launching an App

A lot of thought needs to be put into launching, both with new products and even with updating existing ones. How do you decide what’s worth making noise about, and what steps do you follow to make sure all your potential customers know? Curtis is deep in thought about this topic himself, so he takes Belle and Jelly through a discussion about their typical processes to figure out what works for them, and what doesn’t. Show notes:Check! Before You Launch (Neven Mrgan)The Talk Show Live From WWDC 2017 (Vimeo)fastlane

<p>A lot of thought needs to be put into launching, both with new products and even with updating existing ones. How do you decide what’s worth making noise about, and what steps do you follow to make sure all your potential customers know? Curtis is deep in thought about this topic himself, so he takes Belle and Jelly through a discussion about their typical processes to figure out what works for them, and what doesn’t.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://mrgan.com/check/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check! Before You Launch (Neven Mrgan)</a></li><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/220770851#t=1636s" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Talk Show Live From WWDC 2017 (Vimeo)</a></li><li><a href="https://fastlane.tools" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">fastlane</a></li></ul>

6: Launches

When the lines start to blur between work and life, it can be very difficult to make sure that you’re spending enough time renewing your energy so that you’re giving your best to both. Our three intrepid indies look at their own work/life balance, discussing how they fare, what they do to ensure proper separation, and how they feel they could improve. Show notes:Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4, Amazon)Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4, Amazon)Mass Effect: Andromeda (Xbox One, Amazon)

<p>When the lines start to blur between work and life, it can be very difficult to make sure that you’re spending enough time renewing your energy so that you’re giving your best to both. Our three intrepid indies look at their own work/life balance, discussing how they fare, what they do to ensure proper separation, and how they feel they could improve.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Horizon-Zero-Dawn-PlayStation-4/dp/B00ZQC73O8?tag=jellystyle-20&amp;th=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Horizon: Zero Dawn (PS4, Amazon)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-Andromeda-PlayStation-4/dp/B01N00X3DH?tag=jellystyle-20&amp;th=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mass Effect: Andromeda (PS4, Amazon)</a></li><li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Mass-Effect-Andromeda-Xbox-One/dp/B01N3S1OI3?tag=jellystyle-20&amp;th=1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Mass Effect: Andromeda (Xbox One, Amazon)</a></li></ul>

4: Work/Life Balance

Money comes and money goes. This ebb and flow is ever more noticeable as an indie, coming with a unique set of concerns that can affect an entire household. Belle, Curtis and Jelly discuss their approaches to managing their finances, accounting for lean times, and handling the stress that accompanies running a business. Show notes:Cushion

<p>Money comes and money goes. This ebb and flow is ever more noticeable as an indie, coming with a unique set of concerns that can affect an entire household. Belle, Curtis and Jelly discuss their approaches to managing their finances, accounting for lean times, and handling the stress that accompanies running a business.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="http://cushionapp.com" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Cushion</a></li></ul>

3: Finances

Managing press is an important part of creating products, especially around releases. Alice, Curtis and Jelly discuss speaking with the press, the resources they make available, and what they really need to be doing to improve their respective approaches. Show notes:iOS App Marketing For Small Developers – Marco Arment (Vimeo)

<p>Managing press is an important part of creating products, especially around releases. Alice, Curtis and Jelly discuss speaking with the press, the resources they make available, and what they really need to be doing to improve their respective approaches.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://vimeo.com/124349705" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">iOS App Marketing For Small Developers – Marco Arment (Vimeo)</a></li></ul>

15: Speaking to the Press

Every app is different, and the approach to marketing that app is different too. From word of mouth, to building communities, our hosts discuss their own experiences with marketing their apps and how it’s changed over time.

<p>Every app is different, and the approach to marketing that app is different too. From word of mouth, to building communities, our hosts discuss their own experiences with marketing their apps and how it’s changed over time.</p>

28: Marketing

We all make mistakes, and Curtis is no exception. He recently shipped a bug, which got him thinking about how he, Alice, and Jelly approach the QA aspect of creating and shipping apps, and how to avoid doing so, if at all possible.

<p>We all make mistakes, and Curtis is no exception. He recently shipped a bug, which got him thinking about how he, Alice, and Jelly approach the QA aspect of creating and shipping apps, and how to avoid doing so, if at all possible.</p>

25: Fixing Bugs

Independence is one year old! For the inaugural birthday episode, our intrepid hosts answer your questions. They finally reveal how they optimise for App Store search, the doubts they’ve faced on the road to being an indie, and which of them you want to keep your phone away from prior to finding yourself stranded on a desert island.

<p>Independence is one year old! For the inaugural birthday episode, our intrepid hosts answer your questions. They finally reveal how they optimise for App Store search, the doubts they’ve faced on the road to being an indie, and which of them you want to keep your phone away from prior to finding yourself stranded on a desert island.</p>

27: Ask Us Anything (2018)

Introducing your product to new people is difficult, as any app developer can likely tell you, and while there are plenty of typical approaches that everyone tries, they don’t always succeed. Alice, Curtis and Jelly spend time looking at the techniques they’ve used for acquiring users, how they’ve approached it, and what’s worked for them so far.

<p>Introducing your product to new people is difficult, as any app developer can likely tell you, and while there are plenty of typical approaches that everyone tries, they don’t always succeed. Alice, Curtis and Jelly spend time looking at the techniques they’ve used for acquiring users, how they’ve approached it, and what’s worked for them so far.</p>

35: User Acquisition

As the new year dawns, our hosts look back at the year that was: the ups, the downs, the lessons they learned, and everything in between.

<p>As the new year dawns, our hosts look back at the year that was: the ups, the downs, the lessons they learned, and everything in between.</p>

17: Lessons Learned in 2017

As creators, it’s sometimes hard to tell where you end and your product begins. This gets compounded by the fact that customers often confuse you with your work, which can have some significant consequences. Alice, Curtis and Jelly dig deep to determine why it is that they associate their products with their own worth, what the consequences are, and what they do about it.

<p>As creators, it’s sometimes hard to tell where you end and your product begins. This gets compounded by the fact that customers often confuse you with your work, which can have some significant consequences. Alice, Curtis and Jelly dig deep to determine why it is that they associate their products with their own worth, what the consequences are, and what they do about it.</p>

36: You Are Not Your Product

Independence is two years old, and our intrepid hosts once again answer questions fielded by listeners. Finally, answers to the important questions, such as their thoughts on growth hacking, tips for getting the most out of WWDC, and what they wanted to be when they grew up.

<p>Independence is two years old, and our intrepid hosts once again answer questions fielded by listeners. Finally, answers to the important questions, such as their thoughts on growth hacking, tips for getting the most out of WWDC, and what they wanted to be when they grew up.</p>

53: Ask Us Anything (2019)

At some stage, it’s entirely possible that you might end up needing to hire a developer to help you finish your project. Alice is considering going down that path with Gus on the Go, so she looks to Curtis and Jelly for advice on how to prepare, what to look for, and what makes for a good contracting experience. Show notes:Episode 16: Outsourcing

<p>At some stage, it’s entirely possible that you might end up needing to hire a developer to help you finish your project. Alice is considering going down that path with Gus on the Go, so she looks to Curtis and Jelly for advice on how to prepare, what to look for, and what makes for a good contracting experience.</p> <h3>Show notes:</h3><ul><li><a href="https://independence.fm/16" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Episode 16: Outsourcing</a></li></ul>

46: Hiring a Developer

If you’re selling apps, odds are you’re going to go down the freemium route: offering the app for free, but charging for something within the app itself. Of course, this business model comes with a whole bunch of ins and outs that you have to navigate if you want to succeed, so Alice, Curtis and Jelly look at how they’ve managed their apps, what’s worked for them, and what’s failed miserably.

<p>If you’re selling apps, odds are you’re going to go down the freemium route: offering the app for free, but charging for something within the app itself. Of course, this business model comes with a whole bunch of ins and outs that you have to navigate if you want to succeed, so Alice, Curtis and Jelly look at how they’ve managed their apps, what’s worked for them, and what’s failed miserably.</p>

42: Freemium

Failure is an inevitable part of and indie’s journey, but sometimes the looming weight of it is enough to negatively affect the decisions you make. Jelly’s been feeling it a bit of late, so he, Alice and Curtis take a look at what failure looks like for them, and how they deal with it.

<p>Failure is an inevitable part of and indie’s journey, but sometimes the looming weight of it is enough to negatively affect the decisions you make. Jelly’s been feeling it a bit of late, so he, Alice and Curtis take a look at what failure looks like for them, and how they deal with it.</p>

34: Failure

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