Another TO-DO List App? No one cares..but you can make them..

Today I’m trying a different style of post.

Instead of trying to be like everyone, I’ll write what I wanted to when I started the newsletter.

Ever built an app in a space with 10,000 clones?
You knew it was crowded, but you had a different angle.

Maybe it’s a fitness app, a financial tracker, or a habit builder—apps everyone uses but few succeed with.

It’s tough to stand out in markets like these, but sometimes, the right positioning can change everything.

I’ve been doing SaaS audits lately, and I love helping founders uncover the gold they’re sitting on.

Today, let me share a story about exactly that.

Meet Volt

He has an amazing finance app called “Peaceful Mindful Pocket”

Here’s how it looks:

The copy reads:
Take Control of Your Finances

Our budgeting app helps you manage your money, track expenses, and achieve your financial goals.

And once you scroll down:

[Add more details about what users see or experience]

The 30-Second Money Grab Audit

I usually start with a 30-second audit (because that’s exactly the amount of time a viewer will spend on your page).

In 30 seconds, I should understand WHY I WANT YOU and internally scream, “I WANT YOU!!!”

After this 30-second audit, I rate it on a scale of 10 for how likely I am to run and grab my wallet to throw my moniiieesss!

For this app? I rated it a 7/10.

Why? And what could it improve? Let’s go ahead.

1. Why Should I Care? (And Why You?)

The first thing that needs to be very clear in common niches is WHY YOU?

• Why are you different?

• Why should I not use the 101 budgeting apps out there?

• Why should I not just use a simple Excel sheet?

Start calling the market out.
“You deserve an app that doesn’t sell your data”

Start calling the customer out:
“You really think you’ll update your Excel sheet, huh?”

Your features matter less. Your messaging and positioning matter more.

Imagine the landing page of this app saying:
“A financial app that lets you spend guilt-free on your [insert dynamic words: coffee dates, shoes, or vacations] while we take care of the math.”

That would take you from “meh” to “wow, tell me more!” right?

2. Give Me the Feels, or I’m Out

Now, you HAVE to make me feel that I need you in my already over-optimized, full-of-apps life.

• Highlight how much savings I’m losing if not for your app.

• Highlight how I’ll finally make room to treat myself if I budget using your app.

• Highlight what stops people from doing their finances right:

  They forget to update.
  They get lazy.
  They can’t keep up.
  They don’t plan better.

Start from the PAIN — make me feel the fear of not doing it right.

Then make me dream about the result after I use the app.

3. Show Me How (Screenshots > Words)

Next, show me the screenshots or a small demo of the app.

Pro tip: Even if you have a video demo, please share screenshots too. Not everyone has time to watch a video.

Some bits about the app would have been pretty cool. For example:

I’m easily overwhelmed by financial apps, so a clean UI would make me open my wallet

4. Need Social Proof, but I’m New :(

Of course, everyone and their sister-in-law know this — you should definitely add reviews

But what if you’re new and in a competitive market with no reviews?

Then add a “Why did I do this?” section.

Tell your story.
B*tch and complain about other apps, the market, how financial apps sucked the soul out of your money, yada yada.

It’ll show your customers you care. You’re one of them. You dealt with what they’re dealing with, and they’ll trust you more.

After all, the idea of “reviews” is all about trust.

5. Got a Unique Angle? Flaunt It!

I loved the angle Volt had about a financial call. Not many apps have it, so I think it should be front and center.

If you have a standout feature like that, make it your positioning.

The Million-Dollar Question

Finally, I ended the audit with this crucial question:

“Are you going to convince people like me — who already plan and use apps? Or are you going to convince people to start budget planning?”

This is where a lot of founders get confused. Not because of the question, but because they never even think about it.

That’s why their marketing and copy are all over the page.

And that’s it, let’s wish Volt a superb all the best for his SaaS.

Summary: 6 Quick Takeaways

1. Why You? Tell me why you’re different in one line. Call the market and the customer out.

2. Give Me Feels. Highlight the pain and then sell the dream.

3. Show, Don’t Tell. Screenshots >>> words. Clean UI = open wallets.

4. Social Proof or Story. If you don’t have reviews, share your story. Build trust.

5. Highlight Your Angle. Got a standout feature? Make it front and center.

6. Know Your Audience. Decide if you’re convincing budgeters or starters, and stick to it.

That’s it. Simple, right?

Fix these, and you’ll go from “meh” to “TAKE MY MONEY!” faster than you can say “zero-based budgeting.”

Hope you liked this.

If you have 2 seconds, I would appreciate a reply on whether you liked this email or not.

And if you have a SaaS, I’ll do a money grab audit for you as well.

See you next week,

Arunima