WP-Tonic | WordPress | SaaS | Bootstrap SaaS | Startups #931 - WP-Tonic Show:Key Lessons Learnt From Investing in 170 SaaS Startups With Rob Walling The Founder of TinySeeds
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Sep 17, 2024 
Rob Walling, founder of TinySeed and host of Startups For The Rest Of Us, shares his journey from developer to SaaS investor. He reveals critical strategies for B2B SaaS success, highlighting the role of AI in SEO and trial offerings. Walling discusses the nuances of vertical versus horizontal SaaS startups, emphasizing niche benefits and user acquisition. He shares invaluable lessons from investing in over 170 startups, emphasizing adaptability. The conversation also touches on effective customer support, course creation for entrepreneurs, and harnessing AI for enhanced productivity.
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Vertical vs Horizontal SaaS
- Vertical SaaS, focused on niche markets, tends to be easier for bootstrappers to gain traction than horizontal SaaS.
- Targeting specific job roles within horizontal SaaS can behave more like vertical SaaS in success patterns.
Drip's Vertical Focus Example
- Rob Walling's company Drip was a horizontal SaaS but focused marketing on three verticals to find product-market fit.
- Post-sale, an unexpected 15% customers came from e-commerce, showing latent market demand.
Handle Co-founder Disputes Wisely
- Founders facing business disagreements should seek impartial advisors to mediate and decide.
- Co-founder disputes, alongside lack of traction and money, are a leading cause of startup failure.
