Newsletter Framework / Service Evolution / Open Source Journey
New weekly newsletter format, pivoting to rapid prototyping services, and open-sourcing Fidder and Content Pal (4 min read)
Hey there! Welcome to my weekly dose of insights and reflections. Each week, I'll share three things that caught my attention or sparked new ideas. Let's dive in!
#1 — Finding My Newsletter Voice
I recently borrowed an idea from Chris Williamson of Modern Wisdom that's transforming how I share knowledge: the "3 things" framework.
Why it matters: While I love sharing tech insights and answering specific questions, finding consistently interesting topics can be challenging. This simple framework gives me a clear path for weekly sharing while doubling as a lightweight journaling practice.
What's next: The core of this publication will be weekly newsletters featuring three memorable insights, along with occasional blog posts diving deep into specific tech topics.
BTW: Got a question or problem you'd like me to explore in a detailed blog post? Drop it in the comments! Or ping me on X — I'm always happy to help find solutions to interesting tech challenges.
#2 — Zeroing In On My Sweet Spot: Rapid Prototyping
I've finally crystallized my core service offering, and I think it aligns with my bigger vision: building 10 sustainable income-generating projects over the next decade.
Previous approaches weren't quite right:
Virtual IT department for self-employed: Too scattered, lacked focus, and would eventually trap me in a loop of repetitive day-to-day tasks
Weekly-payment MVP development: Larger projects, limiting me to one at a time with long feedback loops - I want to move faster
Both felt misaligned with my long-term vision, creating that nagging "something's off" feeling
My new focus: Rapid prototype and proof-of-concept builds for new products and research projects.
Why this matters: With typical project success rates at 5-7%, reaching my goal of 10 successful projects means making 143-200 bets. Building rapid prototypes lets me help others while honing my rapid launch skills.
Idea: Starting with services is crucial for entrepreneurs.
It trains you in essential business skills: client relations, financial management, and dealing with project gaps
Each client brings fresh perspectives and ideas
Real-world problems spark inspiration for scalable solutions
#3 — Opening Up: Fidder and Content Pal Go Open Source
Big news: I'm open-sourcing two projects – Fidder (my RSS reader) and Content Pal (developed with
). This follows my earlier move of open-sourcing some of my older projects, which you can already find on my GitHub.Fidder status:
Currently available as a Telegram bot and web app
Always free, but struggled with finding a respectful monetization model
Will become one-command installable for self-hosting
Future plans include browser extensions and APIs
Content Pal revelations:
We discovered that 60% of our code supported multi-tenant SaaS features rather than core functionality
Truth bomb: Around 80% of code in an average SaaS is just there to handle multiple users. If your software instance is single-tenant (works just for you), it can be dramatically simpler
Example: While you could post to X using free API access, SaaS providers need to pay at least $200/month (and that's just the basic plan!) to get higher API quotas to handle requests from all their users
Why it matters: By open-sourcing these tools with a single-tenant approach, users can self-host, use their own API keys, and avoid paying for unnecessary SaaS overhead.
What's next: While there's no firm timeline, both projects are on the shortlist. Don't worry about technical setup – we'll provide clear self-hosting instructions, and if you need help, I might be able to host it for you for a small fee.
PS
Fidder was notifying me about new content in my favorite RSS feeds within 3 days of prototyping. Content Pal was publishing content on my Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram accounts in a week.
I have 2 available spots for February 2025 to make a proof of concept. Want to validate your idea quickly? Fill out a brief or book a call.