How to build in public with copycats lurking? That’s the question But I think if your app is so simple that someone can copy it with a prompt… then you probably don’t have an app for the App Store in 2026 anyway And that doesn’t mean you build more complex things. It means you have something hidden behind the scenes that can’t be copied Data, network effect or even a marketing approach nobody has considered yet. Keep that stuff private. But share the journey, the thought process, the story, the tools you’re using to build it. The key is to build your reputation just as much as building the app itself. And I honestly believe it *has* to be part of your app strategy in 2026

ABSOLUTELY SHAMELESS. Julia contacted me to work for @yourpersona and mentioned they were looking to hire full-time. After our call, she took many days to reply. I assumed she was busy, so I let time pass. Then she came back with a project and said: “We changed it to make it easier and less time consuming. To preface, it won’t be paid (I wanted to be clear, since I mentioned that in our last call), since we just want fast work so we can speed up the hiring process. We love your work!” Two things: 1. She never mentioned it wouldn’t be paid on our last call, but I didn’t think much of it. 2.She said she wants to speed up the hiring process. I worked hard on the project. It took me 2-3 hours, on top of a 24-hour deadline for another client, because I wanted to make a good first impression. I submitted it and waited. I knew I did well, and I was confident my designs were better than anyone’s. I waited patiently for days. Then she sent this: “Hey, I have an update! The team thinks you’re a great designer and we would love to work with you, we’re just a little too early to expand right now. We’d love to stay in touch and reconnect in a month or two! I’ll hit you up then :)” Mind you, she said they wanted to hire fast. Now they’re “a little too early to expand”? And she went on to post this engagement farming post. Why is she posting this when she’s already “found” me? The team supposedly thinks I’m great and would love to work with me. I contacted a few friends here on X who have viral posts like mine. They got the exact same message from her. If you’re not ready to expand, why ask for a free trial and promise a full-time role? And why are you now shamelessly posting this to get people to do more free work and hand over more free ideas for your app?