[jones1618]

Cliche answer: "If it was easy, everyone would do it."

Best answer I've gleaned from HN and elsewhere:

1. Develop a concept you think will get traction

2. Create a splash page and announce it (to collect emails)

3. If it attracts interest, build a Minimally Viable Product (MVP)

4. Respond to feedback, figure out who needs this and what premium features you can upsell

5. Only then, monetize it and plow profits into marketing until its a steady income stream

(Rinse and repeat)

Do this for all your good ideas until one sticks.

The biggest mistake developers make (I'm one) is thinking you have to build an entire juggernaut of an app with all the bells-and-whistles for it to ever have a chance at gaining traction. Then, we wonder why our huge time-investment isn't rewarded.

Instead, think small/different and iterate/improve from an MVP to find your market based on real customer feedback.