I built Uncover (https://uncover.cc/), a service to track your favourite authors' newest releases. It's monetized with Amazon affiliate links.
I wasn't expecting much from it; my goal was to break even on server costs and ___domain, so ~20$/month. To date it has made $0*
(*technically it did make ~$2 in revenue, but Amazon deactivated that account, I had to sign up for a new one. So my actual received total is $0)
Ultimately it's not a huge deal; I built the project for myself, and it serves me well. I've already discovered 3-4 books I likely would have missed, so I'm super happy to have put in the time!
Lessons learned: When you build a super-niche product mainly for yourself, don't be surprised if it doesn't automatically attract a following. Also, don't set yourself up for disappointment: build stuff because it's fun, not because it's a means to an end.
So, for myself I needed something for audiobooks. Audible is owned by Amazon but AFAIK they don't offer a similar service.
Also, I don't want email notifications. I get too many emails, and ignore anything in the "Promotional" tab. Plus, I'll see the email while I'm at work, which isn't when I'm looking to find my new book.
I wanted a thing I could check when I finish my last book, to tell me right away what has come out since.
EDIT: But yeah, I also recognize that this is an extremely niche set of circumstances! Amazon's email notification service is probably what most folks would want.
I wasn't expecting much from it; my goal was to break even on server costs and ___domain, so ~20$/month. To date it has made $0*
(*technically it did make ~$2 in revenue, but Amazon deactivated that account, I had to sign up for a new one. So my actual received total is $0)
Ultimately it's not a huge deal; I built the project for myself, and it serves me well. I've already discovered 3-4 books I likely would have missed, so I'm super happy to have put in the time!
Lessons learned: When you build a super-niche product mainly for yourself, don't be surprised if it doesn't automatically attract a following. Also, don't set yourself up for disappointment: build stuff because it's fun, not because it's a means to an end.