Attention Idea: Tool Stack Apple Notes

Pat Walls

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Updated: September 11th, 2025

The Post

Title/Hook: Tool Stack Apple Notes
Format: Tool Stack Apple Notes
Impressions:
How many followers they had at the time:

Check out the post -> link

Why it works

1. Relatable, Aspirational Hook

“I met a dude who cloned 3 apps and now makes \$35k/month.”

Relatable: cloning apps sounds scrappy, not elite.
Aspirational: \$35k/month = life-changing money.
Curiosity: readers want to know how.

2. The Twist (Crazy Contrast)

“The crazy part? His entire stack costs less than \$300/month.” This reframes the story from “just another success” → “incredible efficiency.” It drives home the David vs Goliath vibe: no VC, no fancy setup, just lean execution.

3. Minimalist Tech Stack Breakdown

You show the exact tools:

Open source frameworks (Next.js, Node.js)
Cheap hosting (Vercel)
Stripe
A few SEO tools (Ahrefs, Outrank.so)

This makes it feel practical and reproducible. Readers think, “I could do this with the same stack.”

4. Carousel Formatting

First slide (interview visual) = human face + authority.
Second slide (notes app screenshot) = raw proof—feels authentic, like insider notes you weren’t supposed to see.

That duality (polished + raw) makes it more credible and engaging.

5. The Big Idea

“THIS IS PROOF that too many tools can hold you back.” You zoom out to a takeaway. That transforms the post from a story → a lesson. People don’t just consume it, they share it because it carries a punchline.

6. Platform Fit

Instagram loves carousels where Slide 1 grabs attention and Slide 2+ delivers substance.
The casual Notes app screenshot format is highly native—it feels like a friend texting you tips, not a polished ad.

✅ Why it works overall: It combines a scrappy underdog founder story with a reproducible playbook and a contrarian lesson. That trifecta makes people save it, share it, and comment (“what apps did he clone?”).

meet the author

Pat Walls

I'm Pat Walls and I created Starter Story - a website dedicated to helping people start businesses. We interview entrepreneurs from around the world about how they started and grew their businesses.

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