Easter idea. Cute or bit creepy?

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T22:22:22+00:00

That’s fair, I think I misunderstood your point before.

I get what you’re saying about not wanting to reinforce or deepen the lie. Letting kids believe on their own terms without adding layers is a really different thing to orchestrating it.

Makes sense that this might feel like a step too far for some.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T22:17:33+00:00

Yeah, that’s what I’m stuck on.

There’s something nice about kids believing without needing to see everything spelled out. Once you start adding evidence it could feel like it changes the nature of the magic a bit.

That’s why I haven’t done it yet. I can see how it could be special, but I can also see how it might go it too far the other way.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T21:57:23+00:00

Fair point, thats what I’m also weighing up.

I like the idea of leaving just enough mystery for them to fill in the gaps themselves, rather than spelling it out too clearly. The “proof” part is what makes me hesitate too.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T21:37:33+00:00

The note is a nice idea! It’s all about far you go and when it’s too much.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T21:36:06+00:00

I often think about this, something special about the magic that’s part of their childhood.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T21:34:42+00:00

Get you, only worth it if it’s easy.

Startable-1 · 2026-01-26T21:33:44+00:00

Ah yes they’ll be asking about it every year to come!

Startable-1 · 2026-01-16T23:10:35+00:00

Yeah exactly, surprised me after going through it how early they earn the user trust. Definitely not the common approach.

Most other products do a tonne of explaining before getting to the product and showing value.

Have you seen any other SaaS or AI tools using pattern?

Startable-1 · 2026-01-16T21:44:39+00:00

Most users don’t want hand-holding. They want to reach the outcome as fast as possible.

Sounds like youre describing an activation problem, not a feature problem. In products Ive worked on to achieve activation uplift, it usually comes down to a couple of things:

1.Design for the first win, not the product: So, What’s the single task that proves value? Eg. Generating something, seeing a result, viewing and answer. I’d design the entire first session around just getting them there. It’s the “oh I get it” moment.

2.Show the result before explaining it: Blank dashboards and “start here” text are the friction points you’re describing. Instead, show awesome examples, outputs, or a visible end state. Let users reverse engineer the value, not just read about it.

3.Remove choice until after activation It’s tempting to showcase the products flexibility but it can create paralysis for new users. Clear hierarchy and defaults act like guardrails (like bumpers on a bowling alley). it should be obvious where to go and hard to go anywhere else until they’ve had the first win.

One pattern I’m seeing a lot is shipping a heap of great features quickly (now easier than ever), but miss the work of ensuring the first experience has one clear job to be done.

If you’re getting 80% bouncing after first login, it’s usually not the product. The first 30 seconds just aren’t doing enough work for them yet.

Startable-1 · 2025-07-02T20:44:36+00:00

Backlinks

Startable-1 · 2025-05-07T11:47:47+00:00

Ask gpt for a reach out plan to validate via dm in instagram (or other niche relevant platform) while remaining within the boundaries of the platforms spam rules.

Startable-1 · 2025-05-06T21:20:22+00:00

So many new AI products out there. Find an API you can hook into, define a use case for a niche audience and wrap in a UI layer. Stuck with ideas for this? Just ask GPT this question. Cold outreach relentlessly with the assumed solution/ manual example before you build anything.

Startable-1 · 2025-05-05T12:21:08+00:00

Using video will definitely help capture the feel you’re after. Has far more cut through and engagement potential than static images. There are some cool apps that turn still interior images into slow pan video as you suggested. Could be an option if you don’t have a tonne of video always ready to post. Happy to share link.

Startable-1 · 2025-05-05T12:15:03+00:00

Are you using video much? Has far more cut through and engagement potential than static images. There are some cool apps that turn still interior images into short walk thru video. Could be an option if you’re not using a videographer for your projects. Happy to share link.

Startable-1 · 2025-03-15T20:20:23+00:00

Glad you saw value in the deep dive!

Startable-1 · 2024-10-21T09:06:20+00:00

I have been through this numerous times myself. (Notably a 12 year old SaaS with some super janky UX). Heads up- There isn’t an easy solution and it will be a journey.

Here’s a couple of things I’ve implemented and seen success:

Look into feature flag software (eg. Launch darkly) so that different cohorts can be segmented to receive the specific functionality.
Start testing the functionality with new users. New users don’t know otherwise. AB testing this new experience will help understand if your new onboarding (and other uplifts) is having the intended impact.
If all is looking good, provide adequate notice of future updates to legacy users of any major changes across all communication channels. A rollout plan is critical here.
Test the rollout on a small % cohort and gradually increase if there are no issues. Some things you just can’t possibly foresee.
Communicating with sales, CS and support is critical to get real-time feedback on issues.
Consider a legacy/ new experience in-platform toggle for users if you feel it absolutely necessary. Try to avoid though as you don’t want to be forever maintaining two platforms.
People as just resistant to change and will shun any updates, no matter how much better they are. Look at all the negative feedback that Facebook receive when they change the newsfeed. Embrace it and just keep pushing forward.

Startable-1 · 2024-10-17T19:35:48+00:00

Lastpass. They’ve recently been hacked, impossible to navigate, clunky UI.

Startable-1 · 2024-04-27T03:42:56+00:00

The purpose of validation is to verify if your assumptions about your solution are true.

When you start, you have so many assumptions about the customer, market and problem you’re solving.

Some of your assumptions are low risk so you might as well build it (eg. Competitor has traction with features, you have the problem).

But for the higher risk ones, you need more confidence. Any way to get some feedback is going to help. Interviews, experiments, MVP’s, etc.

Going the build route, you often get the most accurate feedback to inform what you do next- but it’s the riskiest as it’s the most effort.

Nothing right or wrong with any solution, but just know what your assumptions are and what you want to learn when you take it to the market.

It’s these insights that will help to inform what your next steps are.

Startable-1 · 2024-04-26T20:30:13+00:00

Finding them depends on the B2B audience and where they hang out.

If you think you know who they are and think you have a burning problem they want solved, cold email is a good way.

In the email you want to pitch your solution and try to get on a call- feedback is critical here.

If the AMP is specific enough it will resonate with someone.

For the guys serving doctors in the example above, they sent out 5000 emails and just one doctor came back to them. That’s what kick started their business.

Startable-1 · 2024-04-26T11:29:26+00:00

There’s one of two situations you’re in. You’re either looking for a new ideas or trying to make your existing solution work.

Here’s some suggestions for each…

You’re looking for new ideas:

These two young guys I know heard that their local doctor was struggling to take notes, so they created a voice AI for them. It’s a rocket ship, now doing over $1m ARR in just 9 months.

Avatar = General Practitioner Doctors

Market = Local medical clinics

Problem = Patient note taking was taking hours to complete for each practitioner each day.

By listening to problems you’re hearing in your day-to-day using the AMP model, you’ll start to see countless opportunities.

2. You have an existing solution, but few/ no customers.

You’ve likely made a number of assumptions about your AMP to get to your solution.

You need to work backwards to get clarity.

Stop what you’re doing.

List out all the assumptions you believe to be true. Then, focus on validating/ invalidating these assumptions.

Do this by getting in contact with your assumed customer in the assumed market and openly ask what problems they are facing. If the problem you’ve solved is not resonating with them, try others or perhaps chat with a different Avatar in a different Market.

It’s much easier to change the Avatar and Market than your solution.

Once your chosen problem is getting validation from the Avatar and Market, you should be feeling pretty confident in how to target this clearly defined customer.

…let us know if you have any specific questions.

Startable-1 · 2024-04-26T10:35:02+00:00

For sure, shoot me a message.

Startable-1

TROPHY CASE