Hey!
Do you like Excel? Some people will say “yes,” but most would probably say no. I am with the 2nd team.
I am not a fan. However, I like how AI automates things, and I like today’s case study, where David used the power of AI to build Excelformulabot that does $14,000/month.
Do you know what is the best part about it?
The business is less than two years old. David is not a coder; David is not a marketer. He just found an interesting angle and went for it without thinking (aka planning) too much. Let’s dive into the story.
The Birth of ExcelFormulaBot.com
The website we are discussing today is ExcelFormulaBot.
In May 2022, two things happened: David got his second baby, and AI was gaining popularity. David had just welcomed his second child into the world amidst the sleepless nights and diaper changes. By this time, AI was on its way to becoming the next big thing.
Between diaper changes and lullaby marathons, he also has to tackle a project that requires some serious Excel gymnastics. Feeling like he’s drowning in a sea of cells and formulas.
One day, in a rare moment of calm, David found himself tinkering with Chat GPT, the hot new AI tool everyone’s talking about,
With a mix of curiosity and a touch of “maybe this AI thing can actually do something useful,” David types in his question:
“What is the formula for subtracting 850 from cell L19 and then subtracting that result from L19?”
Bam! ChatGPT came up with the right formula. He was shocked! ChatGPT provided the correct answer with remarkable accuracy. Eager to explore further, David kept testing different formulas and patterns. Surprisingly, about 85% of the time, the answer generated by Chat GPT was correct.
Spot on! David knew he had something. Could this be the answer to the prayers of Excel users everywhere?
David realized, what if he could create a tool that uses AI to solve Excel problems for everyone? He wanted to create an excel formula generator where people could ask Excel questions, and the tool would answer using Open AI’s API.
But there was a problem: Building the Excelformulabot website.
David isn’t exactly a coding whiz. He had no idea how to build a website. If you also have no idea but want to build one, you can check this.
Most people might have stopped there. But David? Not a chance.
With the determination of a sleep-deprived dad on a mission, he decides to act. He doesn’t know the first thing about coding.
But hey, when there’s a will, there’s a YouTube tutorial, right? David spends the next 48 hours glued to his screen, learning the basics of website building.
Armed with nothing but determination, he spent the next 48 hours on YouTube and created this:
The result? With determination and a lot of caffeine, he created a single-page website where users can input their Excel questions and receive formulas in return.
This wasn’t a polished, multi-page website. It was a single page where users could type in their Excel questions and click “Generate Formula” to get an answer. No logins, no signups, just pure functionality.
It’s not pretty. It’s not fancy. But it works.
With his creation complete, David knew it was time to unleash it on the world. David knew he had a solution, a product that sounded like something straight out of science fiction. But how do you get a website noticed when you have zero marketing budget? The question is-
How to Find the Right Audience Without a Budget?
Finding the right audience is crucial for any new product, especially one as niche as an AI-driven Excel tool. David had to find a way. Forget expensive marketing campaigns – David’s next move was bold.
To truly test his creation, he needed real users and real Feedback. David went straight to the source. He knew his tool would be most appreciated by those who frequently use Excel and struggle with complex formulas.
Therefore, he targeted communities where these users are likely to gather. He used Reddit. The online community that is dedicated to all things Excel. A virtual haven for spreadsheet warriors. This community comprises people who use Excel daily, from beginners to experts. They discuss problems, share solutions, and help each other with Excel-related issues.
So he jumped into the bustling Excel subreddit, and with a mix of excitement and nerves, David posted about his tool on the Excel subreddit, asking for Feedback.
Here’s the best part: He kept it real. He didn’t claim to be a tech whiz or a marketing guru. He simply explained his own struggles with Excel and how he built this tool to help others.
The response? Pure magic. People loved it!
The Excel community goes wild with excelformulabot. David’s simple tool starts spreading like wildfire.
Why? Because it solves a specific problem for a specific audience.
David had created something laser-focused on their pain points. They already knew about Chat GPT, but they wanted a particular solution for a specific problem (important to note). Users loved the simplicity and specificity of his solution.
The post started to gain traction. Some were amazed at how quickly and accurately it generated the correct formulas, while others appreciated the no-nonsense approach of the single-page design.
Because David’s creation was the epitome of minimalism:
One page
One input field
One “Generate Formula” button
That’s it. No login required. No bells and whistles.
It’s just pure problem-solving.
When the Right Solution Meets the Right Audience, the magic starts to happen.
If you have an idea and want to build a nice and simple website in a day by drag and drop here is the list of website builders below.
7 Best Drag and Drop AI Website Builders
From Prototype to Profit: The 5-Minute Success Story
Riding the wave of Reddit love, he realized he needed a more robust platform to handle the growing interest. David decided to take his creation to the next level.
That’s when he discovered Bubble.io, a no-code platform that allowed him to build a more sophisticated website without writing a single line of code. A platform designed for non-coders to build SaaS products.
With Bubble.io, David could add features like user accounts, payment gateways, and a more polished interface. Finally, he created a proper website: Excelformulabot.
With a clearer vision and the tools to make it happen, David launched the official version of ExcelFormulaBot.com. The new website was still simple, but now it offered more functionalities and a better user experience.
Here’s the crazy part: Within 5 minutes of launching the site, David gets his first paid customer.
As soon as the site was up, his inbox was flooded with notifications of new signups. It was the validation he needed to realize he was onto something big. From a late-night idea to paying customers in less than a week!
Now, you might be thinking, “Surely, David must have some marketing wizardry up his sleeve.” But the truth is refreshingly simple. David’s marketing strategy boils down to two key elements:
Leveraging Influencer Marketing and Social Media
David knew that building a great tool was only half the battle. He needed to get the word out. He decided to leverage influencer marketing and social media, particularly Twitter, to spread the word.
Influencer Marketing: David invests in influencers, paying anywhere from $300 to $2000 for video content. These videos shared on platforms like Instagram Reels and TikTok, follow clever formats:
“It was one of the 4/5 AI tools that feels illegal to know about.”
“Amaze your friends with this website’s hack.”
Twitter Engagement: For the Twitter stuff, he simply replied to everyone who had a tweet related to Excel. Here’s an example: “Hey, struggling with Excel formulas? Check out this excel formula generator tool (Excelformulabot) I built; it might help!”
No complex SEO strategies. No expensive ad campaigns. Just targeted outreach and genuine engagement.
David didn’t do something magical that we do not know about. He used two things: influencer marketing and being super active on Twitter.
The Simple Yet Effective Approach
That’s it. No magic, no SEO, no paid ads, no “secret ninja technique.” You find a problem, you build a simple product, you market it, and you get sales. David now makes $14k USD + /month, and he thinks he will get to $100,000 USD/month within two years.
Lessons from David’s Excelformulabot Journey
David’s story is a testament to the power of taking action. You don’t need to be a coding wizard or a marketing guru to succeed. Sometimes, all you need is a good idea, a bit of resourcefulness, and the willingness to dive in headfirst.
Here are a few key takeaways from David’s journey:
Identify a Problem: David didn’t try to reinvent the wheel. He took an existing technology (AI) and applied it to a common pain point. David saw that people were struggling with Excel formulas and realized there was a demand for an easy-to-use solution like excelformulabot.
Act Fast: Instead of over planning, David moved quickly from idea to execution.
Build a Simple MVP: His initial product was incredibly simple. Just one page where users could get formulas. This allowed him to validate his idea without spending a lot of time or money.
Leverage Existing Platforms: David used Chat GPT’s API to provide accurate answers and Bubble.io to build his site without needing coding skills.
Leverage Existing Communities: By posting on the Excel subreddit, David tapped into an existing community of potential users who were already interested in his solution.
Use Influencer Marketing: Partnering with influencers helped David reach a broader audience quickly. Their endorsements added credibility and excitement to his product.
Get Feedback Early: By posting his tool on Reddit, David got immediate Feedback and validation from potential users.
Effective Marketing Strategies: Influencer marketing and active engagement on Twitter helped David reach his target audience without spending a fortune.
Think Outside the Box: Influencer marketing on TikTok for an Excel tool? It’s unconventional, but it worked.
The Future of AI-Powered Tools
David’s story highlights the incredible potential of AI and automation. With the right idea and tools, even someone without technical or marketing expertise can build a successful business. AI can handle the heavy lifting, allowing you to focus on understanding your audience and refining your product.
As AI technology continues to evolve, we’re likely to see more tools that simplify complex tasks across various industries. The key will be identifying those everyday pain points – the Excel formulas of other sectors – and creating user-friendly solutions.
So, the question is: What’s your Excelformulabot? What everyday problem can you solve with the power of AI and a bit of creative thinking?
Remember, you don’t need to be a tech genius or a marketing guru. You just need an idea and the courage to act on it.
Who knows? Your $14,000/month idea might be just around the corner. Every great journey begins with a single step. What will yours be?
Are you ready to find it? Then check How to find a profitable niche idea?
Anyone can start a business that’s what BusinessPrelite believes.
Start your Entrepreneurial Journey today.
We hope David’s story inspires you to explore the exciting world of AI and automation.
Check more Inspiring stories to get practical tips on how to turn your ideas into reality here.
If you need solutions for excel problems,
check the list below 👇
Best Excel Formula Generators
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Thank you mate. Glad that you like it.