1 of 18

Preparing To Discuss an App Idea with a Startup Tech Consultant

A pre-consultation workbook for you and your tech advisor

A Product Idea Guide for Non-Tech Founders

coderighter.com

2 of 18

How to Use This Workbook

Online Workbook - Make your own copy first (do not request edit permissions).

  1. Make sure you are logged into your Google account
  2. Make a folder for your work
  3. Copy this workbook and place it in your new folder
    1. File
    2. Make a Copy
    3. Entire Presentation
  4. Wait for the copy to open in a new browser tab/window
  5. Begin your work in your copy of this workbook

PDF Workbook

If you are viewing a PDF version of this workbook and want to jump to an e-fillable online version of this workbook, click here.

© copyright coderighter

3 of 18

About This App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook…

Use this workbook to start thinking through some key aspects of your app development project needs.

The answers you provide here are going to help start a conversation with your advisor as well as inform a plan for product development that fits your timeline and budget.

Skip anything you’re unsure of and save it for the consult call (to get some advice).

Take 10-15 minutes now to complete this so you can have a more fruitful conversation with your future product development pro.

Don’t forget to share a link to your completed workbook at least a day before your consult call.

5 mins

App Name, Description & Industry

5 mins

Problem Statement

10 mins

Solution Summary

10 mins

Target Audience

10 mins

Competitive Landscape

10 mins

Go-To-Market Ideas

5 mins

App Idea Pitch

5 mins

Team

5 mins

Investment Budget (Time & Money)

4 of 18

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

About The Business

Business Name

Brief Description

Industry

Business Website

Years In Business

Size of the Company (# of employees/contractors on team)

© copyright coderighter

5 of 18

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

About The App

App Name (or Working Title)

Product Description

Product Industry

Pricing Notes/Comments

(do you plan to charge, how much, etc.)

Do you have a working version or prototype of your app available?

© copyright coderighter

6 of 18

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

About The Business

Stage of the App Idea

a. Pre-revenue

b. Annual revenue under $100K

c. Annual revenue between $100K and $500K

d. Annual revenue over $500K

Describe your app idea stage:

© copyright coderighter

7 of 18

Type your answer here

Instruction:

Type 1-3 sentences that convey the problem your app is solving (or delight your app is putting in the world).

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Problem Statement

© copyright coderighter

8 of 18

Instruction:

List (in target priority order) the type of people that experience the problem you’re solving with your app (ideal customers).

Write a brief demographic one-liner, e.g. Black Women, Age 35-50, living in the United States.

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Ideal Customers

1st Priority Target

2nd Priority Target

3rd Priority Industry

© copyright coderighter

9 of 18

Type your answer here

Instruction:

Type 3-5 bullet points that convey how your business helps your target audience(s).

  • Are you removing a pain point?
  • Adding a delight/convenience?
  • Providing a lifestyle necessity?

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Solution Statement

© copyright coderighter

10 of 18

Instruction:

List apps that solve problems similar to what you’re solving. Include a URL to the app’s website if possible.

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Competitive Landscape

Similar App #1

Similar App #2

Similar App #3

© copyright coderighter

11 of 18

Instruction:

List a few ideas to convey how you intend to raise awareness of your business, e.g.

  • Blog / Vlog (YouTube)
  • Social Media Content
  • Webinars/Workshops/Events
  • Media ads
  • Cross-promote with another business (strategic partnership)

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Marketing Approach & Strategy

Priority #1

Priority #2

Priority #3

© copyright coderighter

12 of 18

Type your answer here (see presenter’s notes section of this slide for a writing template).

Instruction:

Type 1-3 sentences that convey an elevator pitch amount of information about your product.

  • Treat this as something you would say quickly to a potential customer.
  • Write in a natural, conversational tone.

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Elevator Pitch

© copyright coderighter

13 of 18

Instruction:

Describe your key team members that will work with you to create and promote your app, e.g. co-founder, dedicated accountability partner/friend, marketing contractor/freelancer, etc.

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

App Launch Team

Person #1 [Role]

Person #2 [Role]

Person #3 [Role]

Person #4 [Role]

Person #5 [Role]

© copyright coderighter

14 of 18

Instruction:

What does an ideal app development timeline look like?

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Dev Timeline

When do you need the project to start?

When do you need development to be completed?

Is there a time-sensitive activity planned in launch window?

© copyright coderighter

15 of 18

Instruction:

Describe how much time and funding you can afford to give to your product development in the first:

  • 3 months?
  • 4-12 months?

App Idea Pre-Consult Workbook

Time & Budget Investment

How many hours per week you can commit to working on the app project? (e.g. attending meetings to coordinate with the team, performing tasks, etc.)

Total Estimated Budget Range

(low end and high end)

First 90 Days:

Beyond 90 Days:

© copyright coderighter

16 of 18

Suggested Next Steps

Book a Strategy Call to discuss your ideal next steps. Before that call, let us know if you have the following items:

  • Business Plan or equivalent (e.g. a Business Model Canvas)
  • Marketing (Go-To-Market) Plan
  • Pitch Deck (if applicable)

© copyright coderighter

17 of 18

Other Next Steps to Consider…

After a consult call and a confirmed desire to start with small (affordable) steps soon, may we suggest:

  1. Build a Pitch-Ready Prototype
  2. Build a Market-Ready No-Code or Low-Code MVP Solution
  3. Build an MVP Dev Team
  4. Build a Custom App for your Idea

© copyright coderighter

18 of 18

Work With Us For Help With…

Congratulations on beginning your app development journey!

  • Business Plan or equivalent (e.g. a Business Model Canvas)
  • Marketing (Go-To-Market) Plan
  • Pitch Deck/Advice
  • App Plan & Roadmap
  • App Wireframe
  • App Prototyping
  • Dev Team Recruiting & Hiring

Want to get your worksheet reviewed by a Product Management specialist?

© copyright coderighter