Efe Aksoy

Founder @exocium | AI and ML Eng dropout | 20

Building an app that will solve the biggest problem in the productivity industry

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

My 2026 goals for Exocium:

– 1M users
– Top 50 productivity app worldwide
– Relocate to SF or NYC
– Build a world-class team along the way

Let’s see how far I can push this.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

There is another way to validate your product.

No, it’s not revenue. It’s not waitlist signups.

It’s when your competitors start following you closely and copying your every move.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

I never would have thought that my best and most effective market research would always come from TikTok and Instagram comments.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@rom1trs Motion

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

If you can scale a startup fully organically—zero VCs, zero paid ads, just bootstrapping—the skill set you build is worth way more than any amount of money you'll make.

It’s the ultimate proof that you can build something out of nothing, without relying on anyone else's boost.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@mattgittleson BREAKDOWN

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Having a monthly wrap that visualizes my personal and professional growth is incredibly effective.

It allows me to analyze exactly where I am faltering and see clearly whether my performance has risen or declined compared to the previous month.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@rom1trs VOX

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@alexcooldev For new accounts, the most reliable result I’ve consistently seen is getting over 1,000 views on the very first video.

The general problem people face is with the content itself, not the underlying infrastructure.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Because money/financial freedom isn't the goal.

[Will @athcanft]

how do people stay motivated to work after they’ve got enough money to chill out for the rest of their life??

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Shipping 100 apps is just speedrunning low quality slop.

Speed is an edge, but moving fast means nothing if you don't know where you're landing. Building 100 random things hoping one hits isn't a proper strategy. You win by shipping fast, but you dominate by maintaining high standards. Quality wins the long game.

Don't get me wrong, testing lots of ideas is logical in the age of AI, but the mindset is wrong. Change the goal from "building 100 apps" to building and iterating until you find the one idea users can't live without. Don't waste your energy on numbers when leverage is in the depth.

[Ahmed Gagan @ahmedgagan11]

I'm building 100 apps.

3 done. 97 to go.

Not 100 perfect apps. Not 100 winners. Just 100 shipped. Most will flop and that's the whole point, because every flop teaches me something the next one gets to use.

Most devs spend a year polishing one app that dies anyway. I'd rather ship 100 and let the market tell me which one's worth betting on.

Following my own advice: speed is the only edge an indie has.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

"Why are there thousands of burger brands if McDonald's exists?"

This is what happens when you democratize software creation. People stuck in the old VC mindset think every market must be a -winner take all- monopoly.

The internet unlocked infinite niches. Build a great product with a distinct vibe, and you capture your share of the pie.

[Irushi @Im_IrushiK]

Thousands of vibe coded calorie tracker apps.

How are they still making so much money?

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

How to drive consistent downloads from slideshows:

Slideshows are the highest leverage way to drive consistent app downloads right now. TikTok and Instagram are pushing them heavy, production cost is zero, and you don’t need insane creativity to win.

The entire game comes down to one metric: Swipe rate.

Your target is 2.7 or higher. If your hook is sharp enough, you will easily clear a 3.5+ swipe rate and the algorithm will reward you.

But views mean nothing without conversion. Here is how you turn those swipes into downloads:

You have to weave your CTA into the narrative so it feels like a native part of the slideshow. Everything must build up to it.

Structure it like this:

Slide 1 (Hook): How to achieve X
Slide 2: The core breakdown of X
Slide 3: A killer practical shortcut
Slide 4 (CTA): Download this app to execute that exact shortcut

Your product placement should feel like a trusted friend recommending a hack, never like a paid advertisement.

Good Luck.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

How to properly warm up your Instagram/TikTok account? (This is the only guide you'll need)

Day 1:

Don't like anything. Don't comment. Don't save. Don't follow.

Just scroll irregularly 2-3 times a day. (The reason for the irregular scrolling is to prevent the algorithm from thinking you're a bot.)

Day 2:

Like 2-3 videos. Save a few videos. Scroll different times throughout the day.

Day 3:

Make your first follow. You can follow up to 2 accounts, then drop a comment. Like a few posts. (Note: If TikTok instantly rolls back your follows, the account isn't fully warmed up yet. Trigger a cooldown and try again the next day.)

Day 4 and last:

After warming up your account a bit, you can share your first video.

If your video/slideshow gets 300+ views, your account warming up has been successful.

(Slideshows/photos might get fewer views on the first post, but videos are generally expected to get between +1000-500 views.)

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@danielhangan_ free

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@danielhangan_ UGC

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Looks like I'm spending my entire night localizing Exocium into 4 languages.

Huge night ahead, but the impact on UX and value creation will be massive.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Quick marketing tip 2:

If one of your videos starts taking off, NEVER post another one the same day.

The algorithm will likely choke the momentum and kill the reach of your winning video. Let it breathe.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Quick marketing tip:

Don't immediately delete your shadowbanned TikTok accounts. If the problem stems from a VPN, get a better one, let your account rest for a while, and scroll like a real user after a few days. Meanwhile, use your time efficiently by reviewing viral content.

Constantly resetting your accounts and deleting everything after the first shadowban is a waste of time.

Your Trust Score can always be improved gradually.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

Execution.

[Hubert Thieblot @hthieblot]

pitch me your company in 1 word.

[Efe Aksoy @HalilEfeAksoy]

@MitcheIl Shown