3 Reasons Not To Keep Your App Idea A Secret

1. Just because I know it, doesn’t mean I can make it

Telling someone your idea, even a developer, doesn’t mean they have the time, skill or inclination to even build it. I’ve actually been pulled aside at a party because someone thought they had the next Uber rattling around in their head, but they need to whisper because the drunk bar keep might do development in his spare time and could potentially steal their idea and make millions.

Development takes time and often more than one developer. These days an app needs to be built on multiple platforms to support a multitude of devices. Uber for instance exists on Android, iOS and Windows not to mention they have a website that offers services for both drivers and riders. One developer didn’t sit and build it all. It took teams of developers thousands of hours to do it.

2. Good ideas don’t make good businesses

Just because you have an app idea, doesn’t mean you have the business or marketing to back it up. Developing your app isn’t even half of the battle. Building a business around your product and actually getting people to use it is the real fight.

For every Twitter or Instagram there are literally thousands of developers who have tried their hand at success and failed. That’s because your app isn’t made successful because you built it, it success is based on how many people use it and will continue to use it.

3. Collaboration

Businesses, like apps, are created by people. Not person but persons. A group of diversely skilled individuals who work together. Your Uber-esque idea will only be as good as the people you get involved.

So don’t pull me aside at a party and whisper your idea into my ear. Scale the rooftops and scream it in people faces. Get others as excited as you are about it. Otherwise you risk throwing your idea on top of the pile of your other broken dreams, like going to the gym after New Years but instead sitting on the couch with the orange dye of Cheetos staining your fingertips.

Bonus round, customer discovery

An added bonus of telling people your idea is that you get a jump start on your customer discovery process. You can immediately see what parts of your idea people like, or don’t like. If you’re serious about building your idea you’ll be doing a lot more of this while trying to hone your idea into something that people actually want.