None to Run: Find the audience before building the app
A beginner-running blog became an app because its audience kept asking for one. Mark Kennedy and Jeff Bailey describe finding runners who struggled with existing plans, publishing useful content, and growing a community before launching None to Run.
What to take into your own app
Start with an unmet need
The opportunity was more specific than “a running app”: beginners who wanted a gentler way to get started.
Let content test the problem
An article about the limitations of Couch to 5K attracted readers before there was an app to sell.
Build a route back to people
The email list and community gave the founders a way to learn from their audience and reach them at launch.
A small experiment to try
Write one useful answer to a frustration in your category. Invite readers to respond or join a small email list. Look for repeated requests before turning the answer into a feature.