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...my first app, which allows you to enter your 20 favourite recipes. It will then choose a week’s worth of dinners at random, and compile a combined shopping l

...my first app, which allows you to enter your 20 favourite recipes. It will then choose a week’s worth of dinners at random, and compile a combined shopping list for you, and let you tick off the items as you purchase them. Now the market has decided that this idea isn’t worth paying $1 for. [...] I can only conclude – the idea sucked. This actually doesn't sound like a bad idea at all, and would definitely be something I'd get if I stopped working late and started cooking more. Anyhow, a good idea and a strong implementation do not guarantee success. I'd guess one reason it didn't sell well is because nobody thinks to themselves "Oh, I need an app that randomly picks meals I already know how to make and gives me a grocery list." Rather, this is an app that people will stumble upon and decide whether they think it is useful or not. Perhaps the missing ingredient for this app's success was neither idea nor execution, but rather marketing and a bit of well-timed publicity. Edit: Found the app (http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/random-chef/id438618418?mt=8&ls=1 http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/random-chef/id438618418?mt=8&...), and I would double down on my wager that it is a marketing/presentation problem: those first 2 screens definitely do not look very appealing. I'd scratch the paper texture--or if you really do want a paper texture, use something that you'd actually write a grocery list on, and not an ancient manuscript. The multiple different fonts throughout the app don't help with the readability or the presentation. Anyhow, the idea still sounds good, but how do you expect people to think it is well implemented when the first two pictures they see look like a mess!

chubs 15y ago
(OP here) Yup, that's the app - surprised you found it! Hmm... If you think all it needs is a visual makeover and some marketing, how about I give you the source code and remove my version from the app store, and you can make it over and see how you go? If you have some success, all i want is for you to give me some marketing tips, let me know what you did that worked. Anyone up for this? My email's on my blog.
- jtchang 15y ago
  I would hope he found it! A good app should be easily discoverable. Like if I plug in grocery list, dinner, automatic, or some combination thereof it should pop up everywhere. Execution doesn't mean just coding something out and deliverying it. Execution means marketing, sales, business process, documentation, team building, and on and on. Just like an idea is about vision, dream, purpose.
- mrmaddog 15y ago
  Yep, I couldn't find it by searching on iTunes, so I used your blog's search engine (and found it after a couple different tries). I am a programmer like you, but if I can come up with some ideas for a cohesive strategy for your product, I'll shoot you a note!
- kolinko 15y ago
  I'm not the person you've replied to, but I've shot you an e-mail. Currently I'm doing a facelifting to a couple of apps and I can try taking yours for a spin as well :)
- sorbits 15y ago
  Many here like/love the idea, me included, so I think you have the good idea. The execution that would make the idea successful though is not just getting the app written and posted to the app store — contact someone who makes cooking books and do some cross-promotion / integration, a supermarket, etc. — that part is hard, but also necessary if you want to really succeed, and that’s why many say ideas are worthless and execution is everything. Adding to promotion is of course making sure the application is easy to use, appealing, comes with recipes I actually will like, are easy to follow, use ingredients available from the normal store, etc. — that’s another part of execution.
ktrgardiner 15y ago
I was going to say the same thing regarding this app. I love cooking but I absolutely hate figuring out what to make for dinner to the point where I sometimes avoid making anything beyond pasta. Something that makes the decision for me is appealing. So there you go: the target audience has grown by one.
- chubs 15y ago
  Argh! It's always the same story with most of my apps: Usually people say 'thats a great idea, i'd totally buy that', but without marketing, nobody knows about them. And so they sit, gathering virtual dust on the shelves of the app store. I've tried google ads, i've tried engaging on forums, but nothing seems to get anywhere. Any suggestions appreciated!
  - ktrgardiner 15y ago
    Honestly, I think that's just the normal scenario for niche apps. You have a product that people react to in one of two ways: "why would I ever need that?" or "holy crap, that's exactly what I need." If the number of people in group two is small enough, you have an enormous obstacle. It's not enough to just solve a problem. You have to solve a problem that enough people have. Anyway, if I think of a better response/solution than "it is what it is", I will be sure to let you know. Good luck in the mean time.
  - richardw 15y ago
    Google ads on the content network, only on sites that you add, and start off with foodie sites. Problem with the search network is that you need to target people who match your offing closely and it's very hard to do that when you don't know if the user 1) has an iPhone, 2) cooks, and 3) wants help deciding what to cook. So a normal 1% clickthrough rate would likely end up much lower than that unless you hit on some awesome uncompetitive keywords that match exactly what your app does, for the right target market. At least with the content network, you can target foodies, and maybe some pages mention iphones and recipes so you can target those accurately. Some work involved, but that's how I'd do it. Other thoughts: You're calling it Random Chef. That doesn't reaaally solve the problem of the user. A casual scanner might think 'throw in random ingredients' or make some similar non-connection to what the app does. Their problem (or solution) isn't 'randomness', it's deciding what to make. So maybe 'menu decision maker' or 'recipe suggestion box' or 'chef's recipe suggestions' or something that a person who is reading a list of app names says 'that's exactly what I need!' because it hints at solving the problem they have. Another thought: maybe the 'benefit' isn't the decision making, it's the more interesting menu. I know people who will order the same things from the store each week just so they don't have to think about it. That'll get boring after a while, so your app helps to make it less boring. Maybe add a checkbox for 'standard' recipes, and those make up the bulk of the recipes each week so everybody is happy, and throw in a new one once/twice a week just to grow the collection without making them think through each meal every day. In any case, your idea of 1-month apps is a great one. Nice work!
MetallicCloud 15y ago
I have to agree, my wife would love this. If it was on Android you would have definitely get a sale from my household. Maybe I should add something similar on my Android todo list :)
6ren 15y ago
Nice if it integrated with an online supermarket, so the shopping was done and delivered for you. Also, help you stick with it, if it required discipline/commitment, e.g. to diet, economize, enforce variety, or learn to cook - perhaps that's a user-problem/need it could be presented in terms of. A bit bizarre though; your iPhone tells you to make a sandwich. Sorry just thinking aloud here: if it used an online database (perhaps social/collaborative), you could specify criteria (cheap/diet/interesting) - it would select, plan and shop for you, like an active recipe book. Of course, with social, you could select for most popular, rising, new etc. And have some very interesting culinary experiences. i.e. ask what people actually want from a recipe book (what need they are trying to get met through the book, not what a recipe book currently is), and see if you can serve that better in some way.

chubs 15y ago

(OP here) Yup, that's the app - surprised you found it! Hmm... If you think all it needs is a visual makeover and some marketing, how about I give you the source code and remove my version from the app store, and you can make it over and see how you go? If you have some success, all i want is for you to give me some marketing tips, let me know what you did that worked. Anyone up for this? My email's on my blog.

jtchang 15y ago
I would hope he found it! A good app should be easily discoverable. Like if I plug in grocery list, dinner, automatic, or some combination thereof it should pop up everywhere. Execution doesn't mean just coding something out and deliverying it. Execution means marketing, sales, business process, documentation, team building, and on and on. Just like an idea is about vision, dream, purpose.
mrmaddog 15y ago
Yep, I couldn't find it by searching on iTunes, so I used your blog's search engine (and found it after a couple different tries). I am a programmer like you, but if I can come up with some ideas for a cohesive strategy for your product, I'll shoot you a note!
kolinko 15y ago
I'm not the person you've replied to, but I've shot you an e-mail. Currently I'm doing a facelifting to a couple of apps and I can try taking yours for a spin as well :)
sorbits 15y ago
Many here like/love the idea, me included, so I think you have the good idea. The execution that would make the idea successful though is not just getting the app written and posted to the app store — contact someone who makes cooking books and do some cross-promotion / integration, a supermarket, etc. — that part is hard, but also necessary if you want to really succeed, and that’s why many say ideas are worthless and execution is everything. Adding to promotion is of course making sure the application is easy to use, appealing, comes with recipes I actually will like, are easy to follow, use ingredients available from the normal store, etc. — that’s another part of execution.

ktrgardiner 15y ago

I was going to say the same thing regarding this app. I love cooking but I absolutely hate figuring out what to make for dinner to the point where I sometimes avoid making anything beyond pasta. Something that makes the decision for me is appealing. So there you go: the target audience has grown by one.

chubs 15y ago
Argh! It's always the same story with most of my apps: Usually people say 'thats a great idea, i'd totally buy that', but without marketing, nobody knows about them. And so they sit, gathering virtual dust on the shelves of the app store. I've tried google ads, i've tried engaging on forums, but nothing seems to get anywhere. Any suggestions appreciated!
- ktrgardiner 15y ago
  Honestly, I think that's just the normal scenario for niche apps. You have a product that people react to in one of two ways: "why would I ever need that?" or "holy crap, that's exactly what I need." If the number of people in group two is small enough, you have an enormous obstacle. It's not enough to just solve a problem. You have to solve a problem that enough people have. Anyway, if I think of a better response/solution than "it is what it is", I will be sure to let you know. Good luck in the mean time.
- richardw 15y ago
  Google ads on the content network, only on sites that you add, and start off with foodie sites. Problem with the search network is that you need to target people who match your offing closely and it's very hard to do that when you don't know if the user 1) has an iPhone, 2) cooks, and 3) wants help deciding what to cook. So a normal 1% clickthrough rate would likely end up much lower than that unless you hit on some awesome uncompetitive keywords that match exactly what your app does, for the right target market. At least with the content network, you can target foodies, and maybe some pages mention iphones and recipes so you can target those accurately. Some work involved, but that's how I'd do it. Other thoughts: You're calling it Random Chef. That doesn't reaaally solve the problem of the user. A casual scanner might think 'throw in random ingredients' or make some similar non-connection to what the app does. Their problem (or solution) isn't 'randomness', it's deciding what to make. So maybe 'menu decision maker' or 'recipe suggestion box' or 'chef's recipe suggestions' or something that a person who is reading a list of app names says 'that's exactly what I need!' because it hints at solving the problem they have. Another thought: maybe the 'benefit' isn't the decision making, it's the more interesting menu. I know people who will order the same things from the store each week just so they don't have to think about it. That'll get boring after a while, so your app helps to make it less boring. Maybe add a checkbox for 'standard' recipes, and those make up the bulk of the recipes each week so everybody is happy, and throw in a new one once/twice a week just to grow the collection without making them think through each meal every day. In any case, your idea of 1-month apps is a great one. Nice work!

MetallicCloud 15y ago

I have to agree, my wife would love this. If it was on Android you would have definitely get a sale from my household. Maybe I should add something similar on my Android todo list :)

6ren 15y ago

Nice if it integrated with an online supermarket, so the shopping was done and delivered for you. Also, help you stick with it, if it required discipline/commitment, e.g. to diet, economize, enforce variety, or learn to cook - perhaps that's a user-problem/need it could be presented in terms of. A bit bizarre though; your iPhone tells you to make a sandwich. Sorry just thinking aloud here: if it used an online database (perhaps social/collaborative), you could specify criteria (cheap/diet/interesting) - it would select, plan and shop for you, like an active recipe book. Of course, with social, you could select for most popular, rising, new etc. And have some very interesting culinary experiences. i.e. ask what people actually want from a recipe book (what need they are trying to get met through the book, not what a recipe book currently is), and see if you can serve that better in some way.