The Secret Sauce for Startup Success - Talking to Your Users
Many founders have a misconception about how new startups form. They often believe that groundbreaking ideas for products come from intense brainstorming sessions or late-night coding marathons. However, the best founders know that the real magic happens when they engage with their customers throughout the entire lifetime of their company, not just at the start.
Why You Should Talk to Your Users
1.
They Will Keep You Honest
Your users are your most honest stakeholders because they are the ones actually paying for your product. Their feedback is invaluable and rooted in real-world use
2.
They Provide Valuable Feedback
Consider Brian Chesky, the co-founder of Airbnb, who lived in 50 different Airbnbs over a few months. This hands-on experience allowed him to gather direct, honest feedback from hosts, which was instrumental in refining the service.
How to Find Your Users
1.
Leverage Your Network
Reach out to people you know or former co-workers. However, be cautious as they might not always provide the most candid feedback
2.
Utilize LinkedIn
Search for potential users using keywords related to your idea. This can help you find individuals who might benefit from your product.
3.
Attend Industry Events
These gatherings are goldmines for meeting potential users who can offer insights and feedback
How to Conduct User Interviews
1.
Prefer Video Calls or In-Person Meetings
Avoid phone calls or surveys as they lack the personal touch needed to build rapport
2.
Build Rapport and Ask Open-Ended Questions
This encourages a more natural and honest conversation
3.
Introduce Your Product Last
Focus on understanding the problem first before presenting your solution, if at all
Here are some questions to guide your interviews:
How do you do X today? (Where X is the problem you are trying to solve)
What is the hardest thing about doing X?
Why is it hard?
How often do you have to do X?
Why is it important for your company to do X?
What do you do to solve this problem for yourself today?
Turning Insights Into an MVP
1.
Synthesize Your Findings
After your interviews, distill the feedback and identify common pain points and needs
2.
Create a Simple MVP
Don't overthink it. Build a minimal viable product as soon as possible to test your hypothesis
3.
Test With the Same Users
Use the same group you interviewed to test your MVP and gather more feedback
Additional Tips
1.
Observe User Interaction
Watch how users interact with your product instead of just listening to what they say. Their actions can reveal a lot about their needs and preferences
2.
Silent Observation
When showing your prototype, don't guide them. Just watch how they navigate and use it
3.
Keep Users Engaged
Maintain involvement by inviting your initial user group into a Slack or WhatsApp group to keep the feedback loop ongoing