Today was all about creating user guides to accompany the lead capture and generation system. It felt like stepping into a dual role: part product manager, part educator. While gathering the technical content was straightforward, thanks to the tools I rely on, the real challenge came from reflecting on what this project has evolved into over the last three and a half weeks.
What started as a cool idea for a system has grown into a functional service prototype. Now, I’m documenting it in a way that bridges the gap between its technical foundation and its usability for real estate professionals.
Capturing the Essentials
Using Simple but Effective Tools
My go-to tools for capturing information were macOS’s native screenshot utilities:
- Command + Shift + 4: Allows you to select a specific area of the screen to capture.
- Command + Shift + 5: Opens a full suite of options, including screen recording and different capture styles.
These tools are intuitive and versatile, perfect for creating visual elements for the guides. Whether capturing interface layouts, workflows, or configurations, they provide everything needed to document the system visually.
Why Visuals Matter
Clear visuals help break down complex processes, making the system accessible to users of all technical levels. By pairing these visuals with concise explanations, I’m ensuring the guides aren’t just instructive—they’re empowering.
The Challenge of Documentation
While the technical side of documentation was manageable, what proved more difficult was verbalizing what the project has become. Writing about a system that started as a concept but grew into a functional prototype for a lead capture and generation service required stepping back and seeing the bigger picture.
Reflections on the Project’s Evolution
Over the past 3.5 weeks, the project evolved significantly:
- From an idea into a system.
- From a system into a service prototype.
This evolution highlighted an important aspect of creating products or services:
- Solving a Problem: It’s not just about building something—it’s about addressing a real, meaningful issue.
- Marketing Beyond Features: Even the most robust system needs user-friendly guides, clear documentation, and effective ads to succeed.
Documenting the Prototypes
I also decided to document the prototypes created along the way, not just the final MVP. These versions provide insight into the development process and show the iterations that shaped the system.
While I don’t plan to use this system in a full production environment, I want to share the prototypes publicly as:
- Examples of how a project evolves.
- Resources for others looking to build similar systems.
I’ll also create videos showcasing the chatbot and voice agent in action, leaving them inactive after the demo for educational purposes. More on this in Days 29 and 30, where I’ll reflect on the project and outline plans for future updates.
Looking Ahead: Creating a Landing Page
Tomorrow, I’ll shift my focus to designing a landing page for the user guides and service offering. This page will:
- Act as a hub for accessing documentation and resources.
- Showcase the system’s features and benefits.
- Include options for exploring service packages.
The goal is to tie everything together, presenting the system as a cohesive solution while ensuring the user experience is seamless.
Final Thoughts
Day 26 was a reminder that building something is only half the battle; documenting it is just as important. From screen captures to structured guides, today’s work laid the foundation for helping others understand and implement the system.
Reflecting on this project’s origins in Day 1, it’s incredible to see how far it’s come—from an idea to a functional service prototype. Tomorrow, I’ll turn my attention to creating a landing page that brings everything together, preparing for the final phase of this journey.
If you’ve ever struggled with documenting a project or turning a concept into a service, I’d love to hear your tips! Stay tuned for Day 27 as we move closer to launch.
Let’s Connect
If you’ve worked with any of these tools or have insights to share, drop a comment below, reach out on social media or email contact@juliandrouse.com —I’d love to hear your thoughts!
For more details, check out my channel on YouTube. Stay tuned as we continue building the future of real estate investing!
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