Episode 679 | Mock Features, A Failed Launch, Becoming a Freelancer, and More Listener Questions (A Rob Solo Adventure)
Sep 19, 2023
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Explore how 'mock features' can be a game-changer in B2B SaaS sales to meet buyer expectations. Discover essential strategies for recovering from a failed launch and the advantages of phased rollouts. Gain insights on crafting organic marketing content tailored for software tools. Delve into the dynamics of acquisitions for small startups and understand what engineers face during this process. Lastly, learn valuable tips for junior engineers transitioning into consulting and freelancers.
Implementing mock features in B2B SaaS can enhance sales presentations and increase closing rates by leveraging perceived demand.
Adopting a phased launch strategy enables startups to gather user feedback and refine products before wider market introduction.
Deep dives
The Value of Phased Launches
A phased launch strategy is emphasized as a more effective method for introducing a product to the market. This approach allows founders to invite a smaller user base, identify issues—such as pricing mistakes or missing features—and resolve them before scaling to a larger audience. By iterating based on initial feedback, businesses can better align the product with market needs and create a smoother rollout experience. This strategy contrasts with the traditional one-time launch events that may lead to overwhelming challenges if the product is not fully ready for mass adoption.
Recovering from a Failed Launch
Strategies for recovering from a failed product launch are outlined, highlighting the commonality of initial setbacks in the entrepreneurial journey. It is advised to begin marketing efforts concurrently with product development to build a pre-launch audience, allowing for a staged rollout instead of a grand announcement. Emphasizing the importance of gaining product-market fit before a broader launch, founders are encouraged to continuously refine their products based on user feedback. A significant lesson is that a mediocre launch does not necessarily equate to overall failure; many successful products have emerged from iterative improvements post-initial release.
Mock Features as a Sales Tool
The concept of using mock features in B2B SaaS sales is introduced as a clever technique to enhance product appeal. Mock features, which are demands made by buyers that may never be utilized by end-users, can be integrated into sales presentations to increase closing rates. A specific example involves creating a seemingly functional feature that, in reality, wasn’t utilized at all, demonstrating how perceived demand can mislead decision-makers. This tactic is particularly effective when the buyer and end-user are different, as buyers often misjudge what users actually need.
In episode 679, join Rob Walling for another solo adventure where he answers listener questions. He discusses how “mock features” can be implemented to close deals with certain buying dynamics, how to recover from a failed launch, and the benefits of phased launches to minimize those. Rob also gives advice on creating organic content for a SaaS and suggests alternative marketing strategies to content creation. Finally, he covers what an engineer might encounter during an acquisition in a small startup and how to dive into consulting and contracting.
Topics we cover:
3:43 – Mock features for B2B SaaS
6:20 – Recovering from a failed launch
10:37 – Advice for a consumer-facing “vitamin” product
12:53 – Creating content to market SaaS tools
17:13 – Acquisitions for startups with small engineering teams
20:24 – Consulting for junior and mid-level engineers
If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!