In this episode of May I Have Your Retention Please, we dive deep into what it actually takes to get a consumer app off the ground in 2025 — no funding, no team, and no paid ads required.
We break down a tactical, unfiltered roadmap for indie founders who want to launch fast, test ideas without wasting months, and build products that spread without spending a dime. From microplastics to AI-generated babies, this episode covers the full stack of distribution, onboarding, and early traction — all through the lens of firsthand experience.
We cover:
– How to get your first 100–200 users using TikTok content that borrows from what’s already working
– The importance of humility when launching — and why the best ideas come from remixing existing formats
– A behind-the-scenes look at App Store Optimization: stealing your competitor’s keywords, mimicking their app icon, and why it actually works
– Tap-to-reveal onboarding flows, AI-generated results, and the new black-box strategy used by top-ranking apps
– Why some founders ask for App Store ratings before users even try the product — and how it impacts growth
– Whether founder-led storytelling or light drama bait performs better online — and why a little exaggeration might be your best distribution tool
– A contrarian take on paid ads: when they’re worth it, how to use them for learning, and how to turn winning ads into organic content
– The unintended downsides of building in public — especially when your audience isn’t your customer
– A framework for sequencing priorities: focus on acquisition → virality → retention, in that order
– Real talk on retention metrics: when to track them, when to ignore them, and why revenue buys you the right to care later
This one is a playbook for indie hackers, TikTok founders, solo devs, and anyone launching consumer products without a growth team or millions in venture capital. If you’re trying to figure out what to build, how to get attention, and how to turn strangers into users — this episode is for you.
Let’s get into it.
