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I'd recommend this: When I was younger, I used to think: "Wow, I want to create the next Facebook." I was envious. Thinking like that set me back and I was jus
by mattbgates 9y ago
I'd recommend this:
When I was younger, I used to think: "Wow, I want to create the next Facebook." I was envious. Thinking like that set me back and I was just trying to create a "mimic" of Facebook. "Everyone is going to use my product because it will be so much better." False.
It's not that you can't build something better, but don't try to be the next Facebook or the next Google or the next Twitter or the next... anything. They are huge and established. To try and "break the public" out of using these is almost impossible.
Create something different. Start on small projects so you can learn. Just start creating small useful apps that you and your friends and family can use. Practice and get good at what you do.
Just a few examples of some projects that I've worked on in the past that are now live and in the wild... https://mypost.io https://mypost.io and https://scamshare.com https://scamshare.com
I've got at least a half dozen more projects in the works. It seems with each product I release, I'm learning and it is often well received. Unpredictably, MyPost.io became very popular in Russia. ScamShare received 21,000 visitors in about 2 weeks. I mean.. nothing to brag about, but its just getting used to some exposure and seeing what things I can create that people can use and enjoy.
My next few apps that are being released will be subscription-based.
Anyways, get comfortable with creating stuff and learning about what people like. Learn how to develop your own personality and style of your UI.
Eventually, there are two ways you can go:
1) Work for someone.
2) Work for yourself and your clients.
I'd suggest after you graduate, go work for someone for a few years. Learn how business work. See that world for a while. Then if you get tired of it, start thinking about going into business for yourself.
- deleted 9y ago[deleted]
- JBlue42 9y agoTo branch off of this, you're also 17 and have a better idea of what your cohort is doing or interested in than all the marketers in the world (who try and sell / create things for you). Solve problems you're interested in or come across that maybe your friends bitch about. If you're ever in conversation with your peers and you hear someone says "Man, I wish x could do y" then actually listen and think about it and whether it could be a fun and useful project. Also, don't forget to be young and get out there in the world. You'll have your whole life to spend behind a computer screen and being part of the world gives you a greater understanding of the roles your skills can play in it.