Derrick Reimer discusses how to win the 59DaysOfCode competition. He emphasizes that code is less important than design and having a business plan. Good design is critical to the user experience. Contestants will not win without proving their app is commercially viable by submitting a business plan that outlines their marketing strategy, target customers, and competitive advantages. It is important to demonstrate how the app could generate revenue by pitching it as if seeking investor funding. To be successful, entrants need to focus on code, design, and marketing as the "trifecta" and build a team with complementary skills in these areas.

1. How To Win 59DaysOfCode
Derrick Reimer
Thursday, May 9, 13

2. Who Am I?
Self-taught web developer & designer
Product Manager for HitTail
Developer for Drip
Winner of 59DaysOfCode (ZC 2011 & 2012)
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3. CREATE AWESOME USER DOCUMENTATION
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4. LEADSCREENER HELPS BUSINESSES DISCOVER HIGH QUALITY
LEADS ON SOCIAL MEDIA BY MONITORING RELEVANT TOPICS
AND FILTERING OUT THE NOISE
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5. CODE59DAYSOF
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6. CODE
DESIGN
MARKETING
59DAYSOF
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7. Developer Perspective
CODE DESIGN MARKETING
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8. Judge Perspective
CODE DESIGN MARKETING
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9. CODE IS LESS IMPORTANT
THAN YOU THINK
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10. Let’s break it down
End users don’t care how beautifully you’ve
written your app
Fact: Most software is ugly behind the scenes
Judges care more that your app does what it’s
supposed to, less about implementation details
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11. DESIGN IS MORE
IMPORTANT THAN YOU
WANT IT TO BE
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12. SOURCE: HTTP://BIT.LY/UQO9ME
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13. SOURCE: HTTP://UGLYHOUSEPHOTOS.COM/WORDPRESS/WP-CONTENT/UPLOADS/2012/08/120815A.JPG
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14. SOURCE: HTTP://WWW.WHY6PERCENT.COM/BLOG/WP-CONTENT/CONTENT/CURB-APPEAL9.JPG
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15. Thursday, May 9, 13

16. Thursday, May 9, 13

17. YOU WILL NOT WIN
WITHOUT A
BUSINESS PLAN
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18. What does that have to
do with code??
The judging process is designed to pick the most
commercially viable apps
Prove that you can actually turn your code into a
cash machine!
This isn’t business school. Pretend you are
pitching your product to an investor, not a
professor
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19. The Essentials
MVP
Pitches (short & long)
Who are your customers?
What is your marketing plan?
Who are your competitors? How are you different?
Why are you qualified to run this? (Have you done
your homework? Prove it.)
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20. The Trifecta
Hint: They don’t all have to be separate people!
CODE
DESIGN MARKETING
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21. Recap
Code is less important than you think
Good design is critical
You will not win without a business plan
Build your dream team
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22. QUESTIONS?
I’m derrickreimer
on Twitter & Gmail
djreimer
Thursday, May 9, 13