Episode 692 | Learn the Rules Like a Pro So You Can Break Them Like an Artist (A Rob Solo Adventure)
Dec 19, 2023
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Join a solo adventure where the focus is on refining onboarding processes for better user experiences. Discover why many entrepreneurs fall into the trap of labeling themselves as 'pre-revenue' and the pitfalls of this mindset. Learn the value of premium offerings over being the cheapest option in the market. Uncover the differences between mirror research and true market research to better understand customer needs. Finally, explore the evolution of creativity through iconic examples like the Beatles, showcasing the importance of mastering and then breaking the rules.
Revisiting onboarding processes and ensuring an effective user flow are critical for enhancing customer acquisition and retention.
Focusing on product value rather than price competitiveness can help businesses establish authority and foster a loyal customer base.
Deep dives
Understanding Customer Needs
It's crucial to recognize the distinction between your preferences and those of your customers, especially when your audience expands beyond developers. Relying on personal instincts can lead to misguided assumptions about customer behavior and purchasing processes. Engaging directly with customers and gathering feedback is necessary to align your offerings with their actual needs and experiences. Ensuring that your product's onboarding and user flow is simple and effective can significantly boost customer acquisition and retention.
The Pitfalls of Free Offerings
Many new entrepreneurs fall into the trap of focusing heavily on acquiring free users instead of converting leads into paying customers. While acquiring users with a free offering may seem appealing, it often creates noise in feedback and misguides product development. Experienced entrepreneurs understand that charging even a small amount during onboarding can clarify user value and help gauge genuine interest in the product. Until users are willing to pay, the real utility and need for the product remain unproven, making it essential to seek out paying customers early in the process.
Value Over Price in Positioning
Positioning a product based on its value rather than being the lowest-cost option can be a powerful strategy. Premium brands confidently highlight the reasons for higher prices, showcasing the quality and effectiveness of their products rather than competing solely on price. This approach can be beneficial for businesses aiming to differentiate themselves in crowded markets where many offerings are perceived as commodities. Establishing brand authority and a reputation for quality can ultimately lead to a loyal customer base willing to pay a premium.
In episode 692, join Rob Walling for a solo adventure where he addresses a variety of topics. He stresses revisiting your onboarding to evaluate your product’s “minimum path to awesome” and warns of conducting “mirror research” instead of market research. Rob also tackles why being the cheapest option is not always the best positioning.
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Topics we cover:
1:33 – Walking customers through signup to first value, revisit your onboarding
4:29 – The early entrepreneur’s trap: "We are pre-revenue still…”
8:31 – Not being the cheapest option
14:31 – Mirror research vs. market research
17:16 – Learn the rules like a pro so you can break them like an artist
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!