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Stop coding and start selling. If you have something that is up and running, you need to get it in the hands of paying customers. Until you have actual paying c

by jbob2000 7y ago

Stop coding and start selling. If you have something that is up and running, you need to get it in the hands of paying customers. Until you have actual paying customers using your system, you will be guessing about what features to build. Push the people you have signed agreements with to start using the system. Maybe they don't need the features they asked for. Push them to pay you. Do not pursue an investor until you have actual clients or money coming in. This is the first thing they will ask about and you will close doors if you approach them too early.

oliverx0 7y ago
Thanks, we will continue to push hard on this. I am concerned however about staying afloat long enough to reach product-market fit. I really think we are on to something, but the constant stress over my head of "what are we doing to do in 8 months when we run out of runway" is concerning.
- jbob2000 7y ago
  I think you should put on your sales hat. I know you said that you are the "coder" and your partner is the sales person, but I think you should start selling and supporting them. Trying cold calling and cold emailing. Use some money for a marketing push. Use the stress of your short runway to push you to sell. Every conversation you have with potential customers should be about how you can get them to pay. Talk past their requests for features or whatever, something like "This is a great feature that we are working on for you and if you sign up for a year's service, we'll discount you until the feature is delivered".
  - oliverx0 7y ago
    Thanks a lot for your advice, really appreciate it!
raleigh_user 7y ago
yes. I love this. until you have 10 customers your business is bull (jason cohen said this, not me and I love it). go get some sales. else you and your partner are wasting your time. best to figure out no one wants what you've built in the next 30 days then 8 months from now when you're sunk costs are even larger.

oliverx0 7y ago

Thanks, we will continue to push hard on this. I am concerned however about staying afloat long enough to reach product-market fit. I really think we are on to something, but the constant stress over my head of "what are we doing to do in 8 months when we run out of runway" is concerning.

jbob2000 7y ago
I think you should put on your sales hat. I know you said that you are the "coder" and your partner is the sales person, but I think you should start selling and supporting them. Trying cold calling and cold emailing. Use some money for a marketing push. Use the stress of your short runway to push you to sell. Every conversation you have with potential customers should be about how you can get them to pay. Talk past their requests for features or whatever, something like "This is a great feature that we are working on for you and if you sign up for a year's service, we'll discount you until the feature is delivered".
- oliverx0 7y ago
  Thanks a lot for your advice, really appreciate it!

raleigh_user 7y ago

yes. I love this. until you have 10 customers your business is bull (jason cohen said this, not me and I love it). go get some sales. else you and your partner are wasting your time. best to figure out no one wants what you've built in the next 30 days then 8 months from now when you're sunk costs are even larger.