Steve McLeod
@steveofmcleod.com
I'm writing a book: Kill the HiPPO: How small, bootstrapped software companies decide what feature to build next.
Follow along or be a beta reader at killthehippo.com
Follow along or be a beta reader at killthehippo.com
Pinned
Steve McLeod
@steveofmcleod.com
· Nov 18
helpthisbook.com
A new draft chapter of my book “Kill the HiPPO: How bootstrapped software companies decide what feature to build next” is ready to read.
“Until Your Company is Much Bigger, YOU are the Product Manager”
A very fitting final chapter of the book's main part.
helpthisbook.com/steve-mcleod...
“Until Your Company is Much Bigger, YOU are the Product Manager”
A very fitting final chapter of the book's main part.
helpthisbook.com/steve-mcleod...
Reposted by Steve McLeod
My favorite advice for blogging remains that you should hit publish while you are still actively unhappy with what you have written, because the only alternative is a huge folder full of drafts and never publishing anything at all
December 28, 2025 at 9:24 AM
My favorite advice for blogging remains that you should hit publish while you are still actively unhappy with what you have written, because the only alternative is a huge folder full of drafts and never publishing anything at all
How my daughter and I spent the last 2 days, in Arinsal, Andorra.
Featuring snowmen, snowball fights, tobogganing, and hot chocolate.
Featuring snowmen, snowball fights, tobogganing, and hot chocolate.
December 28, 2025 at 4:03 PM
How my daughter and I spent the last 2 days, in Arinsal, Andorra.
Featuring snowmen, snowball fights, tobogganing, and hot chocolate.
Featuring snowmen, snowball fights, tobogganing, and hot chocolate.
Buying an only child walkie-talkies for Christmas was a poorly thought-out plan.
December 25, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Buying an only child walkie-talkies for Christmas was a poorly thought-out plan.
Public Service Announcement:
Resist the urge to start a new side project over the break.
Or give in - it could be the start of something wonderful!
Resist the urge to start a new side project over the break.
Or give in - it could be the start of something wonderful!
Officially off work for the next 5 days. How many new side projects should I start? 3? 6? 2 new domains?
December 24, 2025 at 8:03 AM
Public Service Announcement:
Resist the urge to start a new side project over the break.
Or give in - it could be the start of something wonderful!
Resist the urge to start a new side project over the break.
Or give in - it could be the start of something wonderful!
To all the subscription products that think a "wrapped" thing is cool:
it tells your customers that you are capturing way too much data about them.
it tells your customers that you are capturing way too much data about them.
December 23, 2025 at 3:24 PM
To all the subscription products that think a "wrapped" thing is cool:
it tells your customers that you are capturing way too much data about them.
it tells your customers that you are capturing way too much data about them.
A new episode of The Community Lounge podcast for you, just in time for Christmas:
Speaking of Christmas, a wonderful present for me would be if you “like and subscribe” 😀
featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
Speaking of Christmas, a wonderful present for me would be if you “like and subscribe” 😀
featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
"The industry is smaller than you think" ft. Community Manager Vicki Fieldhouse - Feature Upvote
“The industry is smaller than you think” ft. Community Manager Vicki Fieldhouse The Community Lounge Season 3 Episode 6 (You can also watch this episode on YouTube.) Today’s guest is Vicki Fieldhouse,...
featureupvote.com
December 23, 2025 at 9:58 AM
A new episode of The Community Lounge podcast for you, just in time for Christmas:
Speaking of Christmas, a wonderful present for me would be if you “like and subscribe” 😀
featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
Speaking of Christmas, a wonderful present for me would be if you “like and subscribe” 😀
featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
Yesterday (a Sunday) my girlfriend and I decided to create a new joint bank account for a specific use.
5 minutes or so later, we created the joint Revolut bank account, funded it, and had an IBAN we could use for transactions.
We reminisced about how hard this used to be. Visits to banks, etc.
5 minutes or so later, we created the joint Revolut bank account, funded it, and had an IBAN we could use for transactions.
We reminisced about how hard this used to be. Visits to banks, etc.
Why Revolut is winning and traditional banks left behind:
Last time my “traditional” credit card # got stolen: I noticed it, spent ~15 minutes on the phone to report it; got a new card 1 week later
With Revolut: THEY noticed it, 1 tap to cancel; 1 minute for a new card! Amazing
Last time my “traditional” credit card # got stolen: I noticed it, spent ~15 minutes on the phone to report it; got a new card 1 week later
With Revolut: THEY noticed it, 1 tap to cancel; 1 minute for a new card! Amazing
December 22, 2025 at 11:45 AM
Yesterday (a Sunday) my girlfriend and I decided to create a new joint bank account for a specific use.
5 minutes or so later, we created the joint Revolut bank account, funded it, and had an IBAN we could use for transactions.
We reminisced about how hard this used to be. Visits to banks, etc.
5 minutes or so later, we created the joint Revolut bank account, funded it, and had an IBAN we could use for transactions.
We reminisced about how hard this used to be. Visits to banks, etc.
The first of our guides for video game Community Managers is here: featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
Really, this is more for people who *want* to be a CM. A great place for CMs to send people to when they get their frequently-asked question, “how do I get the same job as you?”
Really, this is more for people who *want* to be a CM. A great place for CMs to send people to when they get their frequently-asked question, “how do I get the same job as you?”
How community managers actually break into the industry - Feature Upvote
I've spent 20+ podcast episodes interviewing community managers about their careers. And I’ve heard all the possible paths to become a community manager: winding detours, lucky breaks, and years of un...
featureupvote.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:17 AM
The first of our guides for video game Community Managers is here: featureupvote.com/thecommunity...
Really, this is more for people who *want* to be a CM. A great place for CMs to send people to when they get their frequently-asked question, “how do I get the same job as you?”
Really, this is more for people who *want* to be a CM. A great place for CMs to send people to when they get their frequently-asked question, “how do I get the same job as you?”
This was my main hesitation when we repositioned Feature Upvote to the video game industry. “Why is there no competition?”
We did find one “competitor”, charging $30K/year yet our price starts at $50/month. (They’ve since closed down.)
At this difference in price, were we really competitors?
We did find one “competitor”, charging $30K/year yet our price starts at $50/month. (They’ve since closed down.)
At this difference in price, were we really competitors?
“We have no competition.”
Always a huge red flag.
If they mean it, it’s oblivious ignorance or a failed attempt at declaring how “differentiated” they are.
Or they think they’re getting away with a lie.
Usually it’s the failed attempt.
Don’t be that person.
Always a huge red flag.
If they mean it, it’s oblivious ignorance or a failed attempt at declaring how “differentiated” they are.
Or they think they’re getting away with a lie.
Usually it’s the failed attempt.
Don’t be that person.
December 22, 2025 at 7:13 AM
This was my main hesitation when we repositioned Feature Upvote to the video game industry. “Why is there no competition?”
We did find one “competitor”, charging $30K/year yet our price starts at $50/month. (They’ve since closed down.)
At this difference in price, were we really competitors?
We did find one “competitor”, charging $30K/year yet our price starts at $50/month. (They’ve since closed down.)
At this difference in price, were we really competitors?
I lived in Germany during the transition from smoking in restaurants, smoking cars on trains, even a “smoking office” at the headquarters of a German bank where I did a consulting gig (which the cleaning staff refused to enter) - to none of that.
Within a few years, all of this was thankfully gone.
Within a few years, all of this was thankfully gone.
This is a good reminder that hardened opposition to good ideas can dissipate like … smoke
I lived thru the end of public smoking. Early in my career I presented to city councils who were smoking, in front of audiences who were smoking.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
December 21, 2025 at 6:47 AM
I lived in Germany during the transition from smoking in restaurants, smoking cars on trains, even a “smoking office” at the headquarters of a German bank where I did a consulting gig (which the cleaning staff refused to enter) - to none of that.
Within a few years, all of this was thankfully gone.
Within a few years, all of this was thankfully gone.
The churn in my business that makes me saddest is when the customer is going through a hard time and need to cancel.
Like a big customer who recently reduced headcount by 40%. You just know that sucks for everyone.
Or a prestigious customer in gaming culture who cancelled a project.
Like a big customer who recently reduced headcount by 40%. You just know that sucks for everyone.
Or a prestigious customer in gaming culture who cancelled a project.
December 20, 2025 at 9:16 AM
The churn in my business that makes me saddest is when the customer is going through a hard time and need to cancel.
Like a big customer who recently reduced headcount by 40%. You just know that sucks for everyone.
Or a prestigious customer in gaming culture who cancelled a project.
Like a big customer who recently reduced headcount by 40%. You just know that sucks for everyone.
Or a prestigious customer in gaming culture who cancelled a project.
Is there a secret challenge going on amongst tech companies to see who can come up with the silliest name for their "Ask <anthropomorphised AI>" feature?
December 19, 2025 at 9:22 AM
Is there a secret challenge going on amongst tech companies to see who can come up with the silliest name for their "Ask <anthropomorphised AI>" feature?
New coder started working with me on Monday. We deployed his first change yesterday - 3 days later.
The benefit of working in a tiny team. Your work makes an immediate impact!
Would’ve deployed even sooner, but our “setting up local dev env” instructions were outdated and error-ridden.
The benefit of working in a tiny team. Your work makes an immediate impact!
Would’ve deployed even sooner, but our “setting up local dev env” instructions were outdated and error-ridden.
December 19, 2025 at 7:04 AM
New coder started working with me on Monday. We deployed his first change yesterday - 3 days later.
The benefit of working in a tiny team. Your work makes an immediate impact!
Would’ve deployed even sooner, but our “setting up local dev env” instructions were outdated and error-ridden.
The benefit of working in a tiny team. Your work makes an immediate impact!
Would’ve deployed even sooner, but our “setting up local dev env” instructions were outdated and error-ridden.
I’ve been reading the Slow Horses books.
Highly recommended if you need some good reading over the Christmas break.
They take place in a world where the spies are generally medicore, sometimes-incompetent people instead of the smarter-than-everyone types.
And oh so well-written.
Highly recommended if you need some good reading over the Christmas break.
They take place in a world where the spies are generally medicore, sometimes-incompetent people instead of the smarter-than-everyone types.
And oh so well-written.
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 AM
I’ve been reading the Slow Horses books.
Highly recommended if you need some good reading over the Christmas break.
They take place in a world where the spies are generally medicore, sometimes-incompetent people instead of the smarter-than-everyone types.
And oh so well-written.
Highly recommended if you need some good reading over the Christmas break.
They take place in a world where the spies are generally medicore, sometimes-incompetent people instead of the smarter-than-everyone types.
And oh so well-written.
The first web projects I worked on were served in early versions of data centres. One in the Docklands (or was it Wapping?) in London, and one in South Melbourne, Australia.
To deploy an update, someone had to make an appointment, and go in person with the update on physical media.
To deploy an update, someone had to make an appointment, and go in person with the update on physical media.
How have servers and the cloud evolved in the last 30 years, and what might be next? @bcantrill.bsky.social has been at the thick of the industry since the Dotcom Boom, and shares fascinating stories.
Bryan is one of my all-time favorite people to talk with - don't miss this one.
(cont'd)
Bryan is one of my all-time favorite people to talk with - don't miss this one.
(cont'd)
December 18, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The first web projects I worked on were served in early versions of data centres. One in the Docklands (or was it Wapping?) in London, and one in South Melbourne, Australia.
To deploy an update, someone had to make an appointment, and go in person with the update on physical media.
To deploy an update, someone had to make an appointment, and go in person with the update on physical media.
Interesting to see that even the Internet way back then had banner ads.
And that blue-on-grey default - I’m glad we lost that!
And that blue-on-grey default - I’m glad we lost that!
December 18, 2025 at 6:40 AM
Interesting to see that even the Internet way back then had banner ads.
And that blue-on-grey default - I’m glad we lost that!
And that blue-on-grey default - I’m glad we lost that!
Sounds like a fantastic offer!
I love seeing Sam’s creative, interactive blog posts.
I love seeing Sam’s creative, interactive blog posts.
I posted a while back saying that if you're wanting to create a blog post with interactive visual elements, similar to the stuff I make, I would be happy to give feedback during the process and help where I can.
Owen took me up on that and I think the resulting post is really good! Take a look.
Owen took me up on that and I think the resulting post is really good! Take a look.
December 16, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Sounds like a fantastic offer!
I love seeing Sam’s creative, interactive blog posts.
I love seeing Sam’s creative, interactive blog posts.
Yesterday, a new dev started working with me on Feature Upvote.
Aim: to spruce things up.
Something I like about working with a new person - I start learning new things almost immediately.
As a hardcore JetBrains fan, I finally gave VS Code a go.
And I just found out about .env files!
Aim: to spruce things up.
Something I like about working with a new person - I start learning new things almost immediately.
As a hardcore JetBrains fan, I finally gave VS Code a go.
And I just found out about .env files!
December 16, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Yesterday, a new dev started working with me on Feature Upvote.
Aim: to spruce things up.
Something I like about working with a new person - I start learning new things almost immediately.
As a hardcore JetBrains fan, I finally gave VS Code a go.
And I just found out about .env files!
Aim: to spruce things up.
Something I like about working with a new person - I start learning new things almost immediately.
As a hardcore JetBrains fan, I finally gave VS Code a go.
And I just found out about .env files!
Just when I felt I was making good progress with learning Spanish:
I got served in a cafe today by an Argentinean who tried to make small talk.
I could barely understand a thing.
For context, it’s like learning US English and then encountering a Geordie…
I got served in a cafe today by an Argentinean who tried to make small talk.
I could barely understand a thing.
For context, it’s like learning US English and then encountering a Geordie…
December 15, 2025 at 8:34 AM
Just when I felt I was making good progress with learning Spanish:
I got served in a cafe today by an Argentinean who tried to make small talk.
I could barely understand a thing.
For context, it’s like learning US English and then encountering a Geordie…
I got served in a cafe today by an Argentinean who tried to make small talk.
I could barely understand a thing.
For context, it’s like learning US English and then encountering a Geordie…
Apropos today’s news, The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner, is one of my all-time favourite movies.
The book is marvellous too, in a different way - a charming book made into a charming movie, in each case in a way that works for the medium.
The book is marvellous too, in a different way - a charming book made into a charming movie, in each case in a way that works for the medium.
December 15, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Apropos today’s news, The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner, is one of my all-time favourite movies.
The book is marvellous too, in a different way - a charming book made into a charming movie, in each case in a way that works for the medium.
The book is marvellous too, in a different way - a charming book made into a charming movie, in each case in a way that works for the medium.
The beauty of YouTube: nothing is too geeky for it.
Which means whatever obscure niche you are into, you’ll find some great YT videos about it.
And…if you make your own videos, you’ll find an audience - eventually.
Which means whatever obscure niche you are into, you’ll find some great YT videos about it.
And…if you make your own videos, you’ll find an audience - eventually.
December 11, 2025 at 8:42 AM
The beauty of YouTube: nothing is too geeky for it.
Which means whatever obscure niche you are into, you’ll find some great YT videos about it.
And…if you make your own videos, you’ll find an audience - eventually.
Which means whatever obscure niche you are into, you’ll find some great YT videos about it.
And…if you make your own videos, you’ll find an audience - eventually.
I've been working with my co-writer on our book for 18 months.
I knew she was a lawyer, but only today, as we were writing our author bios, do I learn this about her:
I knew she was a lawyer, but only today, as we were writing our author bios, do I learn this about her:
December 10, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I've been working with my co-writer on our book for 18 months.
I knew she was a lawyer, but only today, as we were writing our author bios, do I learn this about her:
I knew she was a lawyer, but only today, as we were writing our author bios, do I learn this about her:
I was a guest on The Party is Full podcast.
My first appearance as a guest on a games industry podcast.
We talked about how to cope when you are drowning in player feedback - or conversely, what to do when you aren’t getting any feedback at all.
youtu.be/KeQhc28pMDs?...
My first appearance as a guest on a games industry podcast.
We talked about how to cope when you are drowning in player feedback - or conversely, what to do when you aren’t getting any feedback at all.
youtu.be/KeQhc28pMDs?...
The Hidden Challenges of Managing Player Feedback | TPIF Episode 21
YouTube video by Gengis
youtu.be
December 9, 2025 at 4:30 PM
I was a guest on The Party is Full podcast.
My first appearance as a guest on a games industry podcast.
We talked about how to cope when you are drowning in player feedback - or conversely, what to do when you aren’t getting any feedback at all.
youtu.be/KeQhc28pMDs?...
My first appearance as a guest on a games industry podcast.
We talked about how to cope when you are drowning in player feedback - or conversely, what to do when you aren’t getting any feedback at all.
youtu.be/KeQhc28pMDs?...
5 years after it became the thing to do, I finally renamed our 'master' git branch to 'main'.
I had assumed it would be extremely painful - wrongly.
It wasn't painful at all. The whole process took about 10 minutes.
I had assumed it would be extremely painful - wrongly.
It wasn't painful at all. The whole process took about 10 minutes.
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
5 years after it became the thing to do, I finally renamed our 'master' git branch to 'main'.
I had assumed it would be extremely painful - wrongly.
It wasn't painful at all. The whole process took about 10 minutes.
I had assumed it would be extremely painful - wrongly.
It wasn't painful at all. The whole process took about 10 minutes.
Remarkable colours in the sky at dusk today in Barcelona.
December 7, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Remarkable colours in the sky at dusk today in Barcelona.