Read on TwitterI& #39;ll tweet my learnings
A thread
Bootstrapped startup lessons from "Zero to Sold" by @arvidkahl I& #39;ll tweet my learnings https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤓" title="Nerd-Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Nerd-Gesicht"> and actions https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)"> as I read Arvid& #39;s book.A thread https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">" title="https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🚀" title="Rakete" aria-label="Emoji: Rakete"> Bootstrapped startup lessons from "Zero to Sold" by @arvidkahl I& #39;ll tweet my learnings https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🤓" title="Nerd-Gesicht" aria-label="Emoji: Nerd-Gesicht"> and actions https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)"> as I read Arvid& #39;s book.A thread https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🧵" title="Thread" aria-label="Emoji: Thread">https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
I& #39;m applying most of these learnings to my upcoming #EdTech startup.
First off, focussing on the market.
I have a fair understanding of the market as I know several small organisations quite well who would be the long-term target for the paid version of the SaaS.
First off, focussing on the market.
I have a fair understanding of the market as I know several small organisations quite well who would be the long-term target for the paid version of the SaaS.
In fact, I work *in* the industry in question.
I& #39;m aiming to use this as my unfair advantage (as Arvid recently said to me!)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😎" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille">
But, ok. I may see a problem clearly because I work in the sector, but is it ahttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💥" title="Symbol für eine Kollision" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für eine Kollision"> CRITICAL https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💥" title="Symbol für eine Kollision" aria-label="Emoji: Symbol für eine Kollision"> problem?
I& #39;m aiming to use this as my unfair advantage (as Arvid recently said to me!)
But, ok. I may see a problem clearly because I work in the sector, but is it a
Well, the pain point I want to help improve is something that learners in the UK *have* to do as part of their specific type of programme (yes I& #39;m keeping it vague at the moment!)
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💼" title="Aktenkoffer" aria-label="Emoji: Aktenkoffer"> It& #39;s a legislative requirement.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> It has to be done.
So that& #39;s good for me, right?
Also, anecdotally and from personal experience I know it is often a struggle.
Something that tends to be left until the end (when that& #39;s definitely the worst way to do it).
It& #39;s painful and stressful and feels like a box ticking exercise.
Also, anecdotally and from personal experience I know it is often a struggle.
Something that tends to be left until the end (when that& #39;s definitely the worst way to do it).
It& #39;s painful and stressful and feels like a box ticking exercise.
What if I could gamify the process so learners actually *want* to do it.
Better yet, they& #39;ll be doing it without even realising they& #39;re doing it.
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😎" title="Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille" aria-label="Emoji: Lächelndes Gesicht mit Sonnenbrille">
But woah there Jon.
Who would be paying for this? How big is the market? And how can I validate the need beyond anecdotes?
Better yet, they& #39;ll be doing it without even realising they& #39;re doing it.
But woah there Jon.
Who would be paying for this? How big is the market? And how can I validate the need beyond anecdotes?
Figure out the market size
The training organisations I would be targeting have to be on a government managed register.
It& #39;s public.
You can download a CSV of all the company names.
There are 2000+ of these organisations.
Nice
Some of those organisations will be too large for me: a small number of national leaders who will likely have their own tech.
The remainder, as long as they& #39;re active, should be prime targets.https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🎯" title="Volltreffer" aria-label="Emoji: Volltreffer">
The remainder, as long as they& #39;re active, should be prime targets.
Reach out to more of these organisations and have a structured conversation with them about the identified problem.
In the process, new critical problems might be identified.
I can also start to ask how valuable a solution would be (i.e. price points)
More learnings and actions to follow.
Here& #39;s Arvid& #39;s book on Amazon* in case you want to check it out.
Arvid told me Amazon was the best place to get a physical copyhttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👍🏻" title="Daumen hoch (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Daumen hoch (heller Hautton)">
* affiliate link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold-Start-Bootstrapped-Business/dp/3982195705?dchild=1&keywords=zero+to+sold&qid=1619118354&sprefix=zero+to+sold&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=netwatch-21&linkId=28260600a378136b361abe15f1f81eb1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold...
Here& #39;s Arvid& #39;s book on Amazon* in case you want to check it out.
Arvid told me Amazon was the best place to get a physical copy
* affiliate link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold-Start-Bootstrapped-Business/dp/3982195705?dchild=1&keywords=zero+to+sold&qid=1619118354&sprefix=zero+to+sold&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=netwatch-21&linkId=28260600a378136b361abe15f1f81eb1&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold...
"Great products happen at the intersection of your skills and the opportunities of a niche market you care about. Make the most of your transferable knowledge."
- @arvidkahl
This is just razor sharphttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen">
- @arvidkahl
This is just razor sharp
" title=""Great products happen at the intersection of your skills and the opportunities of a niche market you care about. Make the most of your transferable knowledge." - @arvidkahlThis is just razor sharp https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="⚡" title="Hochspannungszeichen" aria-label="Emoji: Hochspannungszeichen">" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
On problem intensity https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">
"Nobody pays you to find their remote when it falls down the back of the couch. They will just find it themselves."
Unless you& #39;re Apple and you just released AirTagshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😝" title="Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge" aria-label="Emoji: Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge">
"Nobody pays you to find their remote when it falls down the back of the couch. They will just find it themselves."
Unless you& #39;re Apple and you just released AirTags
"Nobody pays you to find their remote when it falls down the back of the couch. They will just find it themselves."Unless you& #39;re Apple and you just released AirTags https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😝" title="Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge" aria-label="Emoji: Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge">" title="On problem intensity https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="👇🏻" title="Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Rückhand Zeigefinger nach unten (heller Hautton)">"Nobody pays you to find their remote when it falls down the back of the couch. They will just find it themselves."Unless you& #39;re Apple and you just released AirTags https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="😝" title="Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge" aria-label="Emoji: Schielendes Gesicht mit Zunge">" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
Questions to ask (B2BC) prospects: see pages 86-89 of the print book. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold-Start-Bootstrapped-Business/dp/3982195705?dchild=1&keywords=arvid+kahl&qid=1619298959&sprefix=arvid&sr=8-1&linkCode=ll1&tag=netwatch-21&linkId=9ec4821db7c1b26eb268bd252062ba0e&language=en_GB&ref_=as_li_ss_tl">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Zero-Sold...
The exploratory conversations that startup founders should have with prospective customers are a bit like the participatory research involved in Action Research.
This is my academic brain joining up dots with the practical startup world!
Validate the solution(s) before building a product.
This happens by talking to prospects about your proposed solution and assessing the +/- impact and risks.
My take: iterate aggressively before you even touch any code.
"Understanding the emotional impact of changing from an existing solution is an integral part of the solution validation process."
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Engage your prospects
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about their fears of change
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about painful experiences with other solutions
https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Avoid causing new problems!
Engage your prospectshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about their fears of changehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about painful experiences with other solutionshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Avoid causing new problems!" title=""Understanding the emotional impact of changing from an existing solution is an integral part of the solution validation process."https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Engage your prospectshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about their fears of changehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Ask about painful experiences with other solutionshttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="✅" title="Fettes weißes Häkchen" aria-label="Emoji: Fettes weißes Häkchen"> Avoid causing new problems!" class="img-responsive" style="max-width:100%;"/>
Hope you& #39;re enjoying my tweets on "Zero to Sold" by @arvidkahl.
More to follow as I continue to glean actionable insights for my own EdTech venturehttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💪🏻" title="Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Angespannter Bizeps (heller Hautton)">
Have you already read it? Or reading it at the moment? Share your insights!https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="💡" title="Elektrische Glühbirne" aria-label="Emoji: Elektrische Glühbirne">
And dohttps://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🔁" title="Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn" aria-label="Emoji: Nach rechts und links zeigende Pfeile in offenem Kreis im Uhrzeigersinn"> and https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="❤️" title="Rotes Herz" aria-label="Emoji: Rotes Herz"> any tweets you enjoyed! https://abs.twimg.com/emoji/v2/... draggable="false" alt="🙏🏻" title="Gefaltete Hände (heller Hautton)" aria-label="Emoji: Gefaltete Hände (heller Hautton)">
More to follow as I continue to glean actionable insights for my own EdTech venture
Have you already read it? Or reading it at the moment? Share your insights!
And do
