The Startup Ideas Podcast

By: Greg Isenberg
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  • Summary

  • Get your creative juices flowing with The Startup Ideas Podcast. Published twice a week, we bring you free startup ideas to inspire your next venture. Hosted by Greg Isenberg, CEO of Late Checkout and former advisor to Reddit and TikTok. Subscribe so you don't miss out. For more startup ideas, we created a database of 30+ startup ideas you can take at https://gregisenberg.com/30startupideas
    © The Startup Ideas Podcast
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Episodes
  • 1 Marketer + AI Agents will replace a 10-Person Team (Vibe Marketing System)

    1 Marketer + AI Agents will replace a 10-Person Team (Vibe Marketing System)
    Apr 30 2025
    Today I break down Vibe Marketing, I explain how it leverages AI agents and workflows to execute marketing tasks that previously required large specialized teams. I outline essential tools for the Vibe Marketing toolkit including Replit, n8n, Gumloop, Manus, Claude, and OpenRouter, then shares practical workflows for content creation, sales automation, and data analysis that marketers can implement immediately. Get ideas, tools, and tactics to 10x your marketing: https://www.skool.com/the-vibe-marketers Episode Timestamps: 00:00 - Intro 01:24 - What is Vibe Marketing 02:34 - Why is Vibe Marketing happening NOW? 04:05 - Vibe Marketing Toolkit overview 10:51 - Practical workflows and examples 19:31 - The Future of Marketing (next 12-18 months 21:07 - Qualities of a good Vibe Marketer 21:38 - Learn more about Vibe Marketing Key Points: • Vibe Marketing combines vibe coding tools with AI agents and workflows to automate marketing campaigns • The convergence of improved AI, accessible automation tools, and collapsed custom tool costs has made Vibe Marketing possible • Small marketing teams using Vibe Marketing can accomplish what previously required much larger teams • Vibe Marketing will evolve to resemble high-frequency trading with AI agents working 24/7 1) What is Vibe Marketing? It's the combination of vibe coding tools (Bolt, Replet, Lovable) with workflow automation (Gumloop, Manus, N8n) to create AI-powered marketing campaigns. "Marketing will resemble high-frequency stock trading in the near future." 2) The Vibe Marketing Toolkit To get started, you'll need: • Vibe coding tools (Replit, Bolt, Lovable) • Workflow automation (N8n, Gumloop, Flow) • AI assistants (Manus, Claude) • Model router (OpenRouter) • Visual generation (Sora, ChatGPT ImageGen) Pro tip: Create a scorecard to track which AI models excel at specific marketing tasks! 3) The Future of Marketing (next 12-18 months): • Interconnected AI systems working together • Manager agents trained by human experts • Small teams accomplishing what required 50+ people • Goal-oriented systems ("Get me 50k visitors") • Real-time adaptation to market opportunities 4) What makes a good Vibe Marketer? • Think in SYSTEMS, not campaigns • Test relentlessly (50-100 variations, not just 2) • Front-load value in everything you create • Build once, distribute forever • Let machines handle the boring stuff LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND BORING MARKETER ON SOCIAL: X/Twitter: https://x.com/boringmarketer
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    24 mins
  • Build profitable iOS Apps Using Just Cursor + Claude (Full Tutorial)

    Build profitable iOS Apps Using Just Cursor + Claude (Full Tutorial)
    Apr 28 2025
    Join me as I chat with Chris Raroque, who demonstrates how to use AI tools to build sophisticated mobile apps as a solo developer. Chris walks through adding an AI chat feature to his budgeting app, showing his workflow with Cursor and Claude 3.7. He explains how to implement function calling to create an intelligent agent that can access transaction data and answer questions about spending patterns. Timestamps: • 00:00 - Introduction to Chris Raroque and his portfolio of apps • 02:32 - Overview of Cursor workflow for native iOS development • 09:54 - Demo of adding AI chat to a budgeting app • 17:50 - Connecting AI Chat Feature with Open Router • 25:55 - Improving prompts using Claude for better responses • 34:19 - Implementing tool/function calling for efficient data access • 45:13 - Adding token usage and cost tracking to the app • 48:34 - Techniques for AI-generated app assets and illustrations Key Points: • Chris Raroque demonstrates how to use Cursor with Claude 3.7 to build native iOS apps with AI features • Shows a workflow for adding an AI chat feature to an existing budgeting app using OpenRouter • Explains tool/function calling implementation to create an AI agent that can access transaction data • Shares techniques for generating high-quality app assets using ChatGPT 4.0 1) Chris has built FOUR successful productivity apps as a solo developer - including a daily planning app with 2,000+ paid users. His secret weapon? Using AI to supercharge his workflow. "The only reason I'm able to do this is because I have AI to supercharge my workflow." 2) SURPRISING TOOL #1: Using Cursor for native iOS development Most devs use Cursor for React/web apps, but Chris opens Xcode projects directly in Cursor! His workflow: • Set up project manually in Xcode • Open files in Cursor for edits • Switch to Xcode to build • Repeat 3) KEY INSIGHT: Don't try to use Cursor to set up iOS projects - it won't work! You need to: - Set up the project manually in Xcode - Configure frameworks and settings in Xcode - Handle network permissions in Xcode - THEN use Cursor for coding 4) Chris demonstrated building an AI chat feature for his budgeting app "Luna" in just 4 major prompts: - Create the UI first (hardcoded) - Hook it up to OpenRouter API - Improve the prompt quality - Add function calling Each step builds on the previous one! 5) POWER TIP: Feed documentation directly into Cursor! Type docs and paste in API documentation URLs to give Cursor context. This DRAMATICALLY reduces hallucinations, especially for: • iOS/Mac development • New/changing APIs • Complex integrations Game-changer for accuracy! 6) PROMPT ENGINEERING SECRET: Use Claude to generate better prompts for your AI apps! Chris uses Claude to create XML-formatted prompts that produce better results from LLMs. This simple technique improves response quality by 30-40%! 7) ADVANCED TECHNIQUE: Function calling to build true AI agents in your apps! Instead of sending ALL user data with each request (expensive!), Chris implemented tool calling: • LLM analyzes user question • Calls specific functions to get ONLY needed data • Answers based on retrieved info 8) For example, when a user asks "What did I eat last year?" the agent: - Recognizes it needs transaction data - Calls getTransactionsForDateRange() with the right dates - Processes only relevant data - Provides a concise answer Saves $$$ on token costs! 9) VISUAL POLISH SECRET: Using ChatGPT 4.0 for app asset generation! Chris creates mascots and illustrations that give his apps personality and polish. The workflow: 1. Generate base character 2. Create variations for different states 3. Refine with specific prompts 10) RESULTS: With just a few prompts, Chris added: • A fully functional AI chat • Tool-calling capabilities • Cost tracking • Model switching • Custom illustrations All in a few hours as a solo developer! 11)FINAL ADVICE from Chris: "A lot of developers are averse to using AI tools, but the ones who embrace them will thrive for the next decade." For non-devs: Start with more guided tools like Replit or Lovable that have guardrails. LCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/ BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/ BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/ Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.co FIND ME ON SOCIAL X/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenberg Instagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/ FIND CHRIS ON SOCIAL Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@raroque X/Twitter: https://x.com/raroque Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chris.raroque/
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    Less than 1 minute
  • He shares his 5-Step Framework to build $1M/Month Mobile App

    He shares his 5-Step Framework to build $1M/Month Mobile App
    Apr 23 2025
    Join me as I chat with Hunter Isaacson, a successful mobile app builder who has created apps with hundreds of millions of downloads. Hunter shares his playbook for building million-dollar mobile apps, emphasizing the importance of simple experiences, strong branding, and creating effective growth loops. He discusses how to identify opportunities by adapting existing ideas to new channels and technologies.Timestamps:00:00 - Intro01:56 - Examples of Viral Consumer Apps04:35 - Hallow Deep dive 10:14 - Locket Deep dive13:51 - NGL’s Deep Dive15:08 - Don’t reinvent the wheel17:27 - Hunter’s $1M/Month App Playbook21:28 - Building a Brand People Love24:44 - Creating a simple experience25:26 - The importance of core action and North Star Metric26:33 - How to create growth loops31:28 - Additional Good Practices 33:13 - Opportunities in AI-enhanced app experiences36:38 - Future technology trends Hunter is excited aboutKey Points:• Hunter Isaacson shares his framework for building successful mobile apps, including NGL (250M downloads) and Bags• The importance of creating simple experiences with strong branding that people can understand and resonate with• How to identify core metrics and growth loops that drive user engagement and viral sharing• Leveraging new platform features (like widgets, live activities) to create innovative app experiences1) Hunter's framework for building viral, profitable apps is SURPRISINGLY simple:• Build a brand people love• Create a simple experience• Get users on quickly (even just 100)• Select ONE core action• Maximize % of users completing that actionLet's dive deeper...2) On building a BRAND PEOPLE LOVE:"Keep it short and find a slang term" - Hunter's secret sauce for naming apps.NGL = "not gonna lie" (obvious to Gen Z)BAGS = crypto slang for holdingsThe best names are OBVIOUS, resonate with your audience, and set the right vibe.3) Creating a SIMPLE EXPERIENCE is crucial!Hunter designs ALL his apps himself (started with PowerPoint, now Figma)His approach: "What's the bare bones MVP that solves the problem?"Don't overcomplicate. ONE user flow is better than branching journeys.4) The NORTH STAR METRIC changes everything.For each app, Hunter picks ONE metric that matters above all:• Wink: % of users getting a match on day 1• NGL: % sharing link + replies• BAGS: % funding account + making first tradeAim for 90%+ completion!5) GROWTH HACK: Build sharing into your core experience!"If you drop in 1000 people and 50% share, that's 500 people who've now shared your app"Hunter spent less than $10K marketing NGL to get 250M downloads! The key? Seed it just enough to activate the viral loop.6) You DON'T need to reinvent the wheel!Hunter on NGL: "Anonymous messaging apps have been around forever"The innovation? Using Instagram's new link feature as a growth channel.Look for EXISTING IDEAS that could work in NEW CHANNELS.7) On SEEDING your app:• Test content formats before launch• Work with creators in different niches• Pay small amounts ($50-100) to influencers• Look for that ONE viral video to ignite growth• Build an authentic voice on social8) TRENDS to watch according to Hunter:• Live Activities on iPhone (underutilized)• Lock screen widgets (not fully explored)• AI + consumer apps (CalAI's approach)• Crypto going mainstream• AR glasses (future)Massive opportunities in each!9) For YOUNG FOUNDERS, Hunter recommends:"Take a lot of swings. Have a lot of at-bats."Consumer mobile apps over B2B/SaaS when starting out:• More fun• Reach global audience• Better psychology understanding• Tools getting better every dayNotable Quotes:"I think that it's more about looking for frameworks than it is for looking for ideas. The framework, I feel like, is more important because now it's really easy to just framework X with audience Y." - Hunter Isaacson"You don't really need to reinvent the wheel... it's a new channel, right? If anonymous messaging has worked on the internet, it's worked on apps, it's worked on different platforms, why wouldn't it work with Instagram as the growth lever?" - Hunter IsaacsonLCA helps Fortune 500s and fast-growing startups build their future - from Warner Music to Fortnite to Dropbox. We turn 'what if' into reality with AI, apps, and next-gen products https://latecheckout.agency/BoringAds — ads agency that will build you profitable ad campaigns http://boringads.com/BoringMarketing — SEO agency and tools to get your organic customers http://boringmarketing.com/Startup Empire - a membership for builders who want to build cash-flowing businesses https://www.startupempire.coFIND ME ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://twitter.com/gregisenbergInstagram: https://instagram.com/gregisenberg/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gisenberg/FIND HUNTER ON SOCIALX/Twitter: https://x.com/hunterjisaacsonInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/hunterjisaacson/
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    43 mins

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