Episode 683 | Bringing on a Partner, Attending Trade Shows, Pre-launch Discounts, and More Listener Questions
Oct 17, 2023
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Discover how to effectively gather feedback from customers who are hesitant to share their thoughts. Explore the pros and cons of partnering with others in your business venture, as well as the nuances of equity distribution. Dive into the benefits of attending trade shows for networking and product-market fit. Plus, learn about strategic pre-launch discounts and pricing strategies tailored for SaaS products. Stay energized and motivated with tips on navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship!
Gathering customer feedback requires understanding their underlying problems rather than merely responding to requests to ensure innovative solutions.
When considering partnerships, founders should carefully assess the contribution and equity stake of potential partners to maintain control and future growth.
Deep dives
The Limits of Customer Feedback
Listening to customers is essential, but relying solely on their input can lead to subpar product features and the replication of existing competitors. Non-technical customers may provide vague feedback focused on past tools, inhibiting innovation. Instead of just responding to customer requests, it's vital to identify the underlying problems they experience. Founders should establish a clear vision for their product, ensuring that improvements are aligned with the business's long-term goals rather than merely addressing immediate customer demands.
Strategic Equity Partnerships
When considering a partnership or advisor role, it is crucial to assess the potential contribution of the individual and determine a fair equity stake. Offering substantial equity, such as 30% or 40%, should be reserved for those committing significant time or investment into the business. Equity stakes often reflect the company's current valuation, making it important to consider future growth potential before giving away shares. Founders should prioritize their control and seek partnerships that enhance the business without undermining their ownership.
The Value of In-Person Networking
Attending industry trade shows can be beneficial, even for companies that are not yet fully polished or at product-market fit. Such events provide opportunities for networking and gaining insights from potential customers, allowing founders to gauge interest in their product. While there may be concerns about revealing upcoming features to competitors, the feedback and connections made at these events can be invaluable. Engaging directly with users and other industry players often leads to actionable insights that can shape future product development.
Navigating Pricing Strategies
Creators often face challenges when introducing pricing models, especially regarding discounts or pre-launch offers. Opting for upfront payments may seem daunting, but alternate strategies, such as offering added value during pre-launch, can eliminate the need for discounts. It’s more effective to enrich offers, like providing onboarding or additional resources, rather than lowering prices. Establishing a consistent currency for transactions, depending on the customer's location, can also be crucial in simplifying financial operations and enhancing conversions.
In episode 683, join Rob Walling for another solo adventure where he answers listener questions. He addresses gathering feedback from customers that are reluctant to give it to you, whether to bring on a partner, and the value of going to in-person events. Rob also covers topics such as equity for advisors, pricing strategies, & productized services.
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Topics we cover:
1:56 – Gathering feedback from reluctant customers
8:47 – When to bring in other partners
12:45 – Weighing the positives and negatives of going to trade shows
15:36 – Staying energized and motivated
17:51 – Offering pre-launch discounts vs. offering value-added product
22:08 – Charging for products in different currencies
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!