Lecture Notes: Creating Viral Apps

Introduction

• Presenter: Blake Anderson
• Known for building three successful apps: RISGPT, UMAX, CalAI
• Goal: Share process for creating viral apps in a five-part series
• Organization: Apex, focused on tools and content for health, success, and purpose
• Approach: No courses for sale; future videos available

Step 1: Developing a Viral Idea

• Importance: Sets foundation for app design, development, and distribution
• Focus: Single player utility apps
• Example: RISGPT had a viral idea despite poor execution

Principles for Viral App Ideas

Principle 1: Solve Big Problems

• Big solutions attract more users
• Relate to Maslow's hierarchy of needs
• Examples:
  • RIS GPT: Addresses dating
  • UMAX: Enhances attractiveness
  • CalAI: Achieves fitness goals
• Biological imperative: Help with living and reproduction

Principle 2: Simplicity is Key

• Complexity reduces virality
• Describe app in three words
• Importance of simple concepts and execution
• Examples: RIS GPT ("respond to girls"), UMAX, CalAI
• Simplicity aids growth and content sharing

Principle 3: Remarkability

• Create an app people naturally share
• "Did you hear about...?" factor
• Examples of shareable moments:
  • TikTok content, transformations, meals
• Create moments that evoke surprise, excitement, or anger

Methods for Identifying Viral Ideas

Method 1: Social Media Scanning

• Essential to understand collective interest
• Use Google Trends, Reddit, comments on social media platforms
• Create diverse accounts to break echo chambers
• Example: Discovering looks maxing for UMAX

Method 2: App Store Research

• Discover what works through app analysis
• Download apps, use Sensor Tower for insights
• Identify market gaps and inefficiencies
• Avoid oversaturated or failure-prone spaces

Method 3: Disconnect

• Best ideas come during moments of clarity
• Take walks without distractions
• Original thoughts require mental space
• Famous examples: Ideas for RISGBT and UMAX came during walks

Conclusion

• Importance of unique problem-solving and idea generation
• Encourage thinking differently for new opportunities
• Future Series Topic: How to Design a Viral App
• Call to Action: Subscribe and comment for questions

These notes are a summary of key points from Blake Anderson's lecture on creating viral apps. They cover principles and methods for ideation, emphasizing the importance of simplicity, solving big problems, and creating share-worthy moments. Methods to identify ideas include social media analysis, app store research, and finding clarity through disconnection.