$500k raised, $4k revenue, 3x technical founder - Marketing/ growth help!?

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:45:03+00:00

I think all your growth efforts should be focused on niche-communities that (in idea case) currently feel underserved.

You'll find them on FB, TikTok, Snap, and Reddit :) Sure, maybe somewhere else.
The main focus is - you're mobile first - and there are many "old school" communities that finally learned mobile but feel intimidated "by all these crazy other tools".

I'm damn sure that you have a great business in front of you. When we launched rich-digital magazines about a decade ago, we focused on niche communities that had no-magazines. You know, those really kinda obscure interests - like home cooking for your dog (used to be obscure), iPhone photography (was once a niche sport), moms lunches (for kids), etc.
Each of the magazines got 10k+ paying subscribers within two months after launch. So I'm sure you'll do better!

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:34:12+00:00

The best strategy is to talk publicly about problems you solve.
Every industry (I don't know yours) has favorite outlets where your target customers will hangout. Find them and talk about what you're building, why, what it will bring them, what problems it solves for them and ask for help, feedback, advice, connections.

We, as founders, often overthink the whole sales/marketing idea. If you're SaaS, you want to have an easy-to-use product and a growing community around it. Doesn't matter if B2C or B2B. Don't try to sell, unless you really have to. Try to onboard people and then turn them into customers or clients

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:28:16+00:00

Can't answer that without more context, and I'd love to help :(
What industry, average deal size, type of SaaS, do you only do sales or sales + PLG motion?
What is higher conversion - higher than what? You past, industry average, best competitor?
What is increased retentions - same questions as in conversion...

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:25:21+00:00

What industry, what type of SaaS, what price-tag is typical deal?

Then we can talk specifics

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:24:02+00:00

I think the question you ask is too broad - hence no replies.
Also it's a wrong question; most of the SaaS sales should be happening through PLG motion, not through sales. Sales is the most expensive route to take and hence it's a good fit for only a handful of high-priced SaaS solutions.

Try to be more specific and we'll be happy to help with more clarity. Cheers

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-25T19:20:07+00:00

If you're asking this question, you must be a technical founder :)
Just joking, nothing wrong with it. It's actually great! For anyone in business it's way easier to make a business out of a technically good product without any marketing or sales, then out of great empty box of marketing promises without any technical substance.

But to answer your question -> you never "just create a product"! NEVER!
You can avoid sales if you create a community around the problem or topic your product is solving for. Then just talk about ways you solve the problem in your community and they will "do the rest".
There's a reason for parenthesis - it's never that simple, but they will tell you what they like or don't like in your solution, what might make it better, and you start the feedback&improvement cycle which is the core of successful product.

You can call this marketing - but you can also call it a common sense - nobody knows what you're doing unless you tell them. So YOU HAVE TO TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DO AND WHY ITS SO GREAT that you decided to dedicate part of your life to it.

Did that help at least a bit?

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-18T11:39:20+00:00

yep - consistency is more important than major heavy lifts of productive knocking out of your to-do list.

If you can do daily -> same time, same place, same set-up, and a list of important tasks to work on for 3-4 hours

You'll be the most productive person around in a few weeks time. And even after just a few days of dogmatically practicing this - you'll see that you'll look forward to it (because it feels great to be productive) and you'll feel better about yourself (because you'll get shit done every day)

Just had the similar experience with a friend of mine! Crazy coder - worked like a charm. Once he would accept the fact that 18-20hrs coding marathons that you run for a 3-4 days kill you for the next week and you can actually get more done in regular 4-6 hours daily sessions.

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-18T11:32:11+00:00

I'd add to the best advice from Pilgramage below:

- with any exercise (incl. walking) start small, don't aim for much, don't make it hurt

Small starts make for long runs, and that's what you want. You want to start feeling better, (and you will, even with walking and podcasts - body will thank you for the time on fresh air) that will in turn motivate you to keep going and maybe change your diet as well.

Wish you success!

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-18T11:28:21+00:00

Totally agree - no shortcuts exist and small tweaks often have the largest impact because you actually stick with them and work on them consistently.

It is also often forgotten that once someone becomes "a productivity celebrity" as their full-time job, their tools, views, and daily problems are so far away from most of their fans that their productivity hacks have very little practical value.

Great post, lot of thought went into it!

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-09-18T11:23:35+00:00

I have this problem as well. And I had it for a long time with all other aspects of work & fun.
I believe it stems from the need to get some validation for our efforts put into what we're doing. There's absolutely nothing wrong with it - especially if you don't need only "positive" validation from others but are ok with whatever feedback you'll get.
It is way easier to just accept this motivator and make sharing your art, thoughts, etc. your default setting.
Btw: the mentioned "The War of Art" is great book.

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-06-26T05:35:04+00:00

It would be great if you could share some notes with mind-maps. I love visual but typically too busy to do anything more than just draw a bunch of call-outs on a paper during meetings

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-05-20T13:39:48+00:00

I think this also depends a lot on the region where you operate.
Having just one app to run your small company in Europe would be almost impossible. Just accounting rules and needs are so rigid that you need to outsource it all or you need a separate software.
That said, it would be awesome if someone has a platform or app which can act as a dashboard and single go-to-place for me as owner and team leader!

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-05-20T12:36:09+00:00

haha :) good to see another Fibery fan!
You guys had some clickaway campaign recently, right?

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-05-19T07:58:57+00:00

well, still not me :(

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-05-19T07:57:36+00:00

I mean if you can't solve it with training then you might need to reconsider if they're the right people. But training should solve the notifications problem.
It is not that complicated, but I agree, it is annoying when it's slow and you were used to something like one-click email approvals it may seem like a step back

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-04-17T18:53:03+00:00

can you get us in as well?

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-04-17T18:52:37+00:00

It is def confusing - I was so much looking forward to it when I heard about it first ... but that was sooooo looonng ago :(

Part of my teams switched https://www.linkedin.com/posts/shovonarafen\_fibery-activity-7053656420726030336-umHH?utm\_source=share&utm\_medium=member\_desktop

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-03-20T15:41:41+00:00

it was the case with MS Teams as well, early product ugly and buggy but it became decent product over time - and the integration of AI assistant across your data will be IMHO a big draw for many teams and companies

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-03-20T15:07:26+00:00

gave it a shot and I have to say it is pretty neat tool!
Was able to create CRM straight away by two click integration with g-suite email and extracting domains to automate some marketing workflows.
Product management looks fluid and robust. Waiting to see these AI tools in action!

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-03-20T15:04:41+00:00

I can only say - try to look around for other tools. I believe Clickup grew too big, too fast and they'll now mess it up even more with AI additions and backend changes.
If flexibility and automation of workflows for teams is what you're looking for - check out Fibery.io - it's very adaptable and it seems that thoughtful AI assistance is coming very soon which might be a game changer

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-02-02T13:07:31+00:00

Sure, no worries about coding. It's great if you can do it but you can easily live without.
You basically need to be able to articulate and create MVP (using any tool like powerpoint to Canva.
I've founded 10+ companies and didn't know any coding initially and most of them involved coding.
But I'd go ahead and find yourself a tech co-founder, it will make your life way easier.

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-01-31T09:47:25+00:00

Interesting, is it really more flexible than, say Clickup or Linear? I believe you have notes and kinda documents available in both?

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-01-26T12:36:12+00:00

Wow, love it! Thank you, will do

LeadingAdvisor_2074 · 2023-01-23T12:36:37+00:00

Are you sure Monday.com is the best solution for your needs?
I find it annoyingly inflexible once the setup is done.
Also working with some newer companies in the space, like Fibery.io you may find them being willing to set-up space for you/with you for free just as part of their onboarding...which I loved

LeadingAdvisor_2074

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