It's easy to have an idea - but it's hard to execute. Here's what I would do.
Step one - get an idea of the scale of the project. Usually the best thing to do is to write a description of every interaction the user will take with your service. Or, if you're able to, draw out the screens.
As a thought experiment, try doing this for a piece of software you already know. Think about all the different ways it can be used.
Ok, done?
Step two - what is the minimum thing you need to do in order to see if this idea is possible? The bare minimum.
Break it down into a series of very small steps.
For example, "The app needs to retrieve all tweets with stock symbol ___".
Then, "The app needs to look up the stock price of symbol ___"
Then, "If the tweet contains the word "awesome" and the stock price is over $X, sell the stock"
etc.
Here's where you have to make a decision. Either learn to code each the bare minimum aspect, or find someone who can do it for you.
Having worked out exactly what you want your app to do, how many individual steps it will take to do it, and how the app should react in certain situations will make it a lot easier when you come to code it or hire someone to help.
Great advice. Its all in my head at this point so this seems like the logical next step. I think this will also help me refine the pitch as well. Thanks a bunch!
No problem. Lean Startup (http://theleanstartup.com/principles) and Noah Kagan both have some great guides about methods to potentially validate your idea or find potential customers.
Step one - get an idea of the scale of the project. Usually the best thing to do is to write a description of every interaction the user will take with your service. Or, if you're able to, draw out the screens.
As a thought experiment, try doing this for a piece of software you already know. Think about all the different ways it can be used.
Ok, done?
Step two - what is the minimum thing you need to do in order to see if this idea is possible? The bare minimum.
Break it down into a series of very small steps.
For example, "The app needs to retrieve all tweets with stock symbol ___". Then, "The app needs to look up the stock price of symbol ___" Then, "If the tweet contains the word "awesome" and the stock price is over $X, sell the stock" etc.
Here's where you have to make a decision. Either learn to code each the bare minimum aspect, or find someone who can do it for you.
Having worked out exactly what you want your app to do, how many individual steps it will take to do it, and how the app should react in certain situations will make it a lot easier when you come to code it or hire someone to help.
So, refine your idea, then work on building it.