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The Bootstrapped Founder - 249: Avoiding the Entrepreneurial Planning Trap
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249: Avoiding the Entrepreneurial Planning Trap

The Bootstrapped Founder

09/08/23

13m

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Three mistakes are common when early-stage founders plan their strategy: scoping, revenue sources, and lack of validation. Let's dive into why we trip up on these issues and what to do about it.

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/avoiding-the-entrepreneurial-planning-trap/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/e2bb7424

The video: https://youtu.be/oGLf5YqXdA8

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

Find me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/arvidkahl/

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Previous Episode

Get ready to revolutionize your SaaS product signup process with some unique strategies, insights, and actionable tips from our much-awaited conversation with Ruben Gamez. We delve into Ruben’s innovative practices — temporary changes to the signup process, leveraging surveys for data collection, and dealing with competitors in the e-signature business. We dissect the world of customer segmentation, the merits and demerits of freemium, and effective ways to solicit customer feedback. Listen closely as we unravel how Ruben sprinkles just the right dose of friction in the signup process to maximize conversions.

In the latter half of our chat, we grapple with the recurring challenge in SaaS: revenue vs. customer acquisition. We underscore the importance of decoding customer needs and use cases early on and the hurdles in churning income in the initial stages of software launches. Hear it from Ruben, as he shares his vast experience in the field, making this conversation a treasure trove for anyone, from early-stage startups to established companies, intrigued by the world of SaaS. So why wait? Tune in to this conversation and prepare to take your SaaS game to a whole new level.

Ruben on Twitter: https://twitter.com/earthlingworks

00:00:00 Introduction
00:01:38 Alternating Low-Touch & High-Touch
00:06:18 When to start surveying customers
00:12:40 Cancellation interviews
00:16:25 Finding insights from interviews
00:22:36 JTBD
00:26:08 Running two SaaS businesses
00:30:08 Competing in the e-Signature market
00:34:46 Word-of-mouth marketing
00:40:33 Book recommendations for indie hackers
00:49:33 Managing a small team

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/248-ruben-gamez-cracking-the-e-signature-market/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/74b243f9

The video: https://youtu.be/BSf_M2US1o4

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

Next Episode

I finally got to talk to Amanda Goetz, a marketer-turned-full-time-creator, who's generously poured out her wisdom on navigating the creator economy. Amanda's journey from corporate life to the creator economy is filled with valuable lessons about embracing awkward self-promotion, overcoming 'Cringe Valley', and the journey of (maybe?) writing a book. This conversation is a must-listen for anyone looking to carve out a calm niche in a world full of "hustle culture," or just for those curious about the behind-the-scenes of a first-time author getting into book publishing.

I didn't set out to chat about writing books, but it was too exciting an opportunity: Amanda announced that she's writing a book! Amanda has walked the tightrope of maintaining authenticity while engaging with the book publishing industry's commercial demands, and she shares this experience with us. We get into the nitty-gritty of dealing with Imposter Syndrome, understanding the angle publishers are looking for, and using hype effectively. It's a deep-dive into the business side of books, the choices of self-publishing or seeking an agent, and the journey towards finding validation in our creative endeavors.

But it's not all hustle and bustle; we also touch on the vital importance of rest and self-care in our lives. Amanda talks about how crucial it is for creators to set boundaries on social media, carefully choosing what aspects of their lives to share. We learn about the balance between sharing personal and private moments, with invaluable insights from Amanda's own experience, including the trauma of a social media hack and the importance of diversifying platforms. So, tune in for a candid, comprehensive, and genuinely helpful discussion on thriving in the creator economy.

Amanda on Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmandaMGoetz
Amanda's Newsletter:https://www.amandagoetz.com/
Amanda's Instagram: http://instagram.com/goetzam

00:00:01 Finding Balance in the Creator Economy
00:11:45 Exploring Niche Markets and Writing Books
00:17:40 Imposter Syndrome in the Publishing Business
00:25:28 The Importance of Rest and Self
00:41:02 Boundaries and Authenticity on Social Media
00:49:07 Creator's Social Media Hack Lessons

The blog post: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/amanda-goetz-the-antidote-to-hustle-culture/

The podcast episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/2af3083c

The video: https://youtu.be/DKFBGozqz_c

You'll find my weekly article on my blog: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com

Podcast: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/podcast

Newsletter: https://thebootstrappedfounder.com/newsletter

My book Zero to Sold: https://zerotosold.com/

My book The Embedded Entrepreneur: https://embeddedentrepreneur.com/

My course Find Your Following: https://findyourfollowing.com

This episode is sponsored by Acquire.com

  • (00:01) - Finding Balance in the Creator Economy
  • (11:45) - Exploring Niche Markets and Writing Books
  • (17:40) - Imposter Syndrome in the Publishing Business
  • (25:28) - The Importance of Rest and Self-Care
  • (41:02) - Boundaries and Authenticity on Social Media
  • (49:07) - Creator's Social Media Hack Lessons

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