MicroConf On Air

Wish you could look at the metrics of your competitors? This year MicroConf surveyed 700 startups to see what is making them grow fastest, and what's slowing them down. Rob is joined by Asia Orangio to analyze the results of the 2024 State of Independent SaaS Report.   Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube The SaaS Launchpad TinySeed Applications Are Open Until Sept 15th To get your copy of the full report, head to https://www.stateofindiesaas.com Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

Discover five tactical changes to elevate your SaaS product, from refining pricing strategies to enhancing your onboarding process. Learn how understanding your Ideal Customer Profiles can revolutionize your marketing efforts. The discussion emphasizes the vital role of customer success, demonstrating how proactive engagement can boost conversion rates and sales. Tune in for real-world insights that can unlock new growth and improve your product's market fit!

Starting a SaaS business can be daunting, but this discussion uncovers essential strategies for success. Learn about common pitfalls that many first-time founders encounter and how to sidestep them. The hosts share personal experiences that inform a comprehensive guide to launching, from brainstorming ideas to achieving a successful product launch. Get ready to harness actionable insights that will boost your motivation and confidence in the entrepreneurial journey!

Your next SaaS idea starts with solving a problem. Here are 8 new, niche problems that we've discovered with some explanations for each. If they seem like a good fit for you, check out Rob's 5 PM Pre-Validation framework, and get down to work...   Episode Sponsor: This week’s podcast was sponsored by Lemon.io. Cut down on hiring time by working with vetted devs at competitive rates. Get 15% off your first 4 weeks working with their engineers. https://lemon.io/microconf   Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube The SaaS Launchpad Apply for TinySeed Episode 628 | The 5 PM Pre-Validation Framework TinySeed On-Prem Version of Google Web Tools Better Software for Managing a Cleaning Business Google Scholar for Niches State of Independent SaaS Report Affordable Digital Asset Manager (DAM) AI Software Troubleshooting Industry Conference Aggregator iCodeThis for Data Scientists Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

If you aren't careful, it's easy to waste time and energy building an MVP, or Minimum Viable Product, for a SaaS idea that no one is willing to pay for. This video lays out the 5 steps you should take to plan your MVP before you start building. It'll help you define your testable hypotheses, guide you on which metrics to consider as you plan and build, and will help you avoid feature bloat in the early days.   Links from the Pod: The SaaS Launchpad Watch this video on YouTube MicroConf Masterminds The SaaS Playbook How To Create An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) - STEP BY STEP Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

Which marketing strategies are best for growing your B2B startup? Rob chats with Greg Digneo about the marketing strategies he used to drive growth at Time Doctor to over $10 million in ARR. Greg gives practical examples of how his team used these marketing channels and Rob draws on his own experiences from growing Drip, covered in The SaaS Playbook.   Episode Sponsor: This week’s podcast was sponsored by Lemon.io. Cut down on hiring time by working with vetted devs at competitive rates. Get 15% off your first 4 weeks working with their engineers. https://lemon.io/microconf   Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube Join us in MicroConf Connect The SaaS Playbook The Stair Step Method of Bootstrapping Greg Digneo | LinkedIn Content Guppy Time Doctor Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

Ben Chestnut, co-founder of Mailchimp joins Rob Walling on the stage at MicroConf US 2024 in Atlanta. They discuss Mailchimp's origin as a side project from a web consulting firm, its accidental yet pivotal adoption of the freemium model, and the company's growth to a $12 billion exit.   Ben shares insights on scaling the business, emphasizing the importance of operational excellence and fostering a creative culture. He also reflects on the challenges of serving small businesses versus enterprise clients and the decision not to develop a customer success team.   Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube Join us in MicroConf Connect Upcoming MicroConf Events This Is How Apple Rolls Intuit to Acquire Mailchimp Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

If you're a programmer, your skillset in coding can open the door to entrepreneurship. Whether you dream of building products, teaching others, or starting a SaaS, here are 12 ways that you can start making money. Following the Stair Step Method of Bootstrapping can help you turn your side income into a full-blown business over time.   Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube 75+ SaaS Marketplaces The Stair Step Method of Bootstrapping TinySeed Startups For the Rest of Us Episode 688 Programming With Mosh Theo - t3․gg Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

If you operate a B2B SaaS company, you typically fit into one of two categories: vertical SaaS or horizontal SaaS. But which category is superior? For those in the early stages of a SaaS venture and unfamiliar with these distinctions, this video will help you decide which direction to go with your SaaS business.   Episode Sponsor: This week’s podcast was sponsored by Lemon.io. Cut down on hiring time by working with vetted devs at competitive rates. Get 15% off your first 4 weeks working with their engineers. https://lemon.io/microconf   Links from the Pod: MicroConf Connect Watch this video on YouTube The SaaS Playbook TinySeed Start Small, Stay Small Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel

I asked SaaS founders on X, "What's your most controversial opinion about building startups?"... Watch as I dig through the responses and respond to the wildest ones. Some are spot on, some are, well.... you'll see ;)   Links from the Pod: Last Chance to Apply for MicroConf Masterminds! Watch this video on YouTube MicroConf Scholarship Program Controversial Startup Opinions Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel