(Not an expert.) I've learnt from HN that the most valuable thing in improving your software is watching how people use it. Not being told about that or readin

(Not an expert.) I've learnt from HN that the most valuable thing in improving your software is watching how people use it. Not being told about that or reading about it, but actually observing. So maybe watching people in various walks of life, seeing what problems they actually have, will be more valuable than any amount of reading about it or they telling you. At first I was thinking that to get such access you could say you're making a documentary or writing a book/article about something, but maybe the truth would be fine here, since the goal is to help them and their field. Ah although you say it has to make money for you. Maybe focus on the helping first?