How I Build Multiple Products

I recently joined the SaaS Growth Podcast to talk about Contraption Company, product studios, and building multiple products like Booklet and Postcard. I think the interview covered some interesting topics, so I wanted to share it here.

In the podcast, I discuss the concept of a product studio, the challenges of running multiple products, and the importance of creating products that solve real problems. I also explore the value of building communities, the significance of asynchronous communication, and the need for intentional decision-making in product development. We end with some discussion about the nuances of onboarding and product documentation.

Listen to the podcast and find links for your podcast player on carlanderson.xyz.

Links from the episode

• Formula 1: Drive to Survive - Season 6
• Digital Product Studios: “Is it a startup?” (not exactly). “Is it an agency?” (ideally, no). “Do you make apps to spin them out into new companies?” (no).
• Moonlight Work - My last company, still operating today.
• Booklet - Async community app from Contraption Company.
• Staffjoy - My first company, now open-source on Github
• PullRequest snags remote developer hiring platform Moonlight
• Postcard - Personal websites to replace social media, from Contraption Company.
• Jeff Bezos Banned PowerPoint Presentations At Amazon Meetings
• Amazon’s Six Page Memos
• A Modest Proposal: Eliminate Email - “In the early 1980s, IBM decided to deploy an internal email system . . .”
• Philip Thomas on Remote Work - 2019 podcast where I talk about decoupling of work and social.
• Peter Drucker
• Brian Chesky’s new playbook
• Jeff Bezos to Amazon employees: If your boss says no, ask your boss’ boss
• FRCTNL - Community for part-time technology workers from Contraption Company, built on Booklet.
• Feel Good Productivity: How to Do More of What Matters to You
• Cal Newport’s Multi-Scale Planning System, which I follow.
• What Is a Tech Company? - about zero marginal costs in software businesses.
• The Magic of Thinking Big
• First Principles Thinking
• Blue Ocean Strategy
• Make Something People Want

Show notes

• 00:00 Welcome to the SaaS Growth Podcast with Philip Thomas
• 00:54 The Genesis of Contraption Company and Product Studio Philosophy
• 05:15 Exploring the Product Suite: From Postcard to Booklet
• 06:38 The Asynchronous Communication Revolution with Booklet
• 14:30 Building and Sustaining Online Communities
• 18:43 Navigating the Challenges of Remote and Asynchronous Work
• 24:12 The Contraption Company’s Future and Product Strategy
• 31:18 Advice for Builders: Thinking Big and Staying Resilient
• 38:44 Onboarding and Documentation: Balancing User Education and Discovery
• 43:04 Wrapping Up: Insights and Future Directions