Ask HN: How do I start a profitable side project?
And while I achieved a lot, I also, still, consider myself a failure. Some days are very tough on me mentally, and today is one of these days. Hence, I'm looking for advice.
I consider myself a good web developer and can build a good website. I have some ideas for projects. Some of them are web, others are desktop/mobile application. But I can't seem to find the formula on how to get successful with my projects and start generating revenue.
I know it's possible because other people online claim to have done it. I'm not looking to build the next Facebook, or start a company. I just want to build small, useable software and generate enough income from it to quit my job and focus fully on the side projects.
And I'm sort of lost, as I don't know what to do. Some projects are too complicated that it would take years (given the free time I can dedicate) in order to build them. Others are too niche, merely a tool for myself and not a viable business idea. And some are in tech stacks and technologies I'm not proficient, like Desktop/Mobile. I'm not afraid of trying new stacks, but I think it slows the development a lot.
From people who are able to sustain their lifestyle with income from side projects, what advice would you give someone like me?