Rob Walling on multiple projects, why building an audience is dumb and other SaaS wisdom
Oct 13, 2023
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Rob Walling, a veteran entrepreneur in the bootstrapping and indie scene, discusses his journey in the industry and the importance of building great businesses. He reflects on his decision to stop pursuing SaaS projects, shares insights on the audience-first approach, and provides recommendations for books, podcasts, and founders to follow.
Building an audience first approach may not be the best strategy for scaling a SaaS business, instead focus on building a network of people who know and trust you for valuable connections and opportunities for growth.
Understanding your own motivations as an entrepreneur can guide your decisions and actions in building and growing a business, whether it's driven by learning and creating, achievement, or monetary success.
Deep dives
Building an audience vs. building a network
Building an audience first approach may work well for info products, but it may not be the best strategy for scaling a SaaS business. While having an audience can certainly be helpful, it may not lead to significant growth or a high-value exit. Instead, focusing on building a network of people who know and trust you can be more beneficial. This network can provide valuable connections, collaborations, and opportunities for growth.
The importance of introspection and motivation
After achieving freedom as an entrepreneur, it is essential to engage in introspection to understand what truly motivates you. Some entrepreneurs are driven by learning and creating, while others are motivated by achievement or purely money. Understanding your own motivations can help guide your decisions and actions in building and growing a business.
Portfolio of projects and long-term scaling
Building a portfolio of projects can be useful for achieving short-term financial freedom and a great lifestyle. However, for long-term wealth and permanent freedom, focusing on building a single, ambitious business with the potential for a significant exit may be more advantageous. While having multiple projects can provide diversification, it often leads to divided attention and a lack of sustainable growth.
Rob Walling is an absolute legend in the bootstrapping and indie scene. He’s a veteran entrepreneur with his most notable exit being Drip in 2016. Rob also founded MicroConf, started TinySeed and is the host of the Startups for the Rest of Us podcast, which has over 680 episodes having started in 2010. It doesn’t stop there for Rob, he’s also written 4 books, Start Small Stay Small, Start Marketing the Day You Start Coding, The Entrepreneurs Guide to Keeping Your Shit Together and most recently, The SaaS Playbook.
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