SAAS IS EXHAUSTING

I understand your value, I just don’t have the money to pay you.

I hear this from up and coming #SaaS leaders regularly.

It’s rarely true though.

They do, it’s just that they’re focused on their technology, spending tens of thousands of dollars on developers somewhere.

They’re like a hamster on a wheel, continually running forward but never really getting anywhere.

Time, energy and scant resources spent chasing an imaginary future that feels like it’s just out of reach.

Of course, they’re not the first, and they most certainly won’t be the last, and I’ve felt the same with my work.

And you know what?

IT’S EXHAUSTING!

But what I’ve found is that if I stop running I can catch my breath.

I can take the time to rest and recuperate.

I can take stock of where I am.

I can focus my resources finding the right path forward.

But if I keep on running down the path, spinning the wheel faster and faster, I’m just doing the same thing over and over again.

And as the old wisdom says, if we keep repeating the same action, expecting a different result…

IT’S THE FIRST SIGN OF MADNESS!

If any of this feels familiar, perhaps it’s time for a Sanity Check.

Mine will cost you less than a few days’ development.

#MrSaaSSays

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SAAS RICHES IN THE NICHES

How important is it for #SaaS vendors to nail their niche?

VERY!

It’s critical to early success

Why?

Because the needs of your target market lie at the very heart of all you do.

After all, they’re the ones your software will serve.

If you’re unclear about whose problem you solve, how clear can you be about the problem itself?

How can you focus your development efforts?

How can you know you’re building the right thing?

It’s OK if you’re drowning in investment funds, but few are.

Most have a limited budget and must make every penny count.

And it’s not just your development costs that rise.

Your marketing spend will too as you shout loudly to all and sundry in the hope someone will engage.

Far better to talk clearly to the few who’ll listen.

The few whose problem needs solving.

The few who’ll stay with you for years to come.

The few who are in your niche.

The few who’ll buy your product for the best price.

If your development and marketing costs seem extravagant, perhaps there’s a better way.

It’s my job to help you find it, so give me a call.

#MrSaaSSays

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20 SAAS STARTUP ESSENTIALS

Software is where it’s at, delivering your service to your people.

There’s plenty of money to be made and nest eggs to be lost for the unwary.

But perhaps you might answer a few questions before you dive in.

WHY ARE YOU DOING IT?

What problems does it solve?

Whose problem is it?

What’s its VALUE to the user?

WHO WILL DO IT?

In-house team or outsource?

How do I hire the right people?

How do I pick a development partner?

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO?

What functionality is desirable, wanted and NEEDED?

How will the user access it?

What data will be stored?

HOW WILL IT BE MADE?

What skills are needed?

What tools are required?

How will you finance it?

WHEN WILL IT BE DONE?

What’s your minimum viable product?

What’s your timeline?

WHO’S ADVISING YOU?

Your minimum viable product is only the beginning.

Ownership and maintenance costs go on and on.

Then you have to go to market, and that’s another story entirely.

For many, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity. They’ll never have the resources to have another shot if this one fails.

Hastening slowly is the way to go.

So take your time and get it right the first time.

#MrSaaSSays

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