My journey as a SaaS founder.
Follow my journey from content creator to the strange new world of software as a service (SaaS). See all my ups & downs and what I'm doing to create a successful software business.
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April 29, 2024
So, you’re building an audience for your business, YouTube channel, or whatever your hustle is, right?
It’s not always the love story you’d expect.
A few years back, I was deep into a startup, working hard on a product I thought would interest me.
Spoiler alert: It didn’t.
Before I knew it, I had this big audience that I just didn’t resonate with. Maybe “hate” is not the right word – that’s a bit strong – but we definitely weren’t on the same wavelength. It was a big reason I decided to leave that venture.
Maybe this sounds familiar?
The core issue, in my experience, is a misalignment of values. That’s when you and your audience are looking at life through different lenses. They’re into things you’re not, and it makes keeping the passion alive… well, exhausting.
I learned a lot about values from Dr. John F. Demartini. His book is a game-changer. He teaches how to pinpoint your true values – not the ‘should-haves’ society sells us, but the things that really make us tick. It’s about:
- What you spend your time on
- Where your money goes
- The topics you can talk about forever
When you find people who share these values, conversations flow, and friendships blossom. If not, it’s really hard to keep the friendship going.
Building an audience that doesn’t share your core values is a recipe for burnout. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s draining to create something for people who want something else entirely.
Flip the script, though, and align your business or content with your true values, and you’ll attract a crowd that gets you. It’s energizing, and it makes consistency a breeze.
As for me, creativity is one of my top values. I’ve channeled it into video and software businesses, and it’s the heartbeat of my content now.
It feels right, and others who also like creativity get pulled into my orbit. That’s when the magic happens – you create, they love, and the cycle of inspiration keeps rolling.
What about you? Ever felt that mismatch of values in your work? Or maybe you’re on the flip side, living the dream with an audience that feels like home.
April 25, 2024
So, I’ve had this thing happen to me more times than I can count…
You know when you’re hit by this stroke of genius, maybe when you’re taking a shower or just out for a walk?
You feel like you’ve struck gold with an idea. But when you try to share it with the world, it just flops. Nobody gets it.
Annoying, right?
Let me tell you, it’s not just you. It’s happened to me, too. I’ve been there, brainstorming grand plans, only to realize that my excitement didn’t quite translate when I tried to bring others onboard. Whether it was a cool video concept that didn’t take off or a business idea my team just shrugged at—been there, done that.
But I didn’t let that stop me.
Instead, I worked out a way to package ideas so they actually resonate with people. And guess what? I’m about to let you in on my little secret.
It’s a simple framework I’ve put together, and it’s called TOFIQA (plus the ‘www’ strategy). Trust me, it’s a game changer.
- T – Topic (set the scene)
- O – Open Loop (create intrigue)
- F – Frame (set the context)
- I – Idea (present your genius)
- Q – Questions (engage the audience)
- A – Action (what should they do next?)
And don’t forget the ‘www’ – What it is, Why it’s important, and How it’s used.
Let me break it down for you…
First up, you start with the topic—it’s more like a note to yourself so you’re clear on what you’re talking about. Then, you throw in an open loop to get everyone all ears, ready to hear what you’ve got to say. Next, you frame your idea—think of it like wrapping a present. You wouldn’t just hand someone a gift without any wrapping, would you?
Now, when you get to the idea, this is where the ‘www’ kicks in. Explain what your idea is, why it matters, and how it can be used. This is the part where you’re showing off that shiny new toy and telling everyone exactly why they’re going to love it.
After that, it’s all about engagement. Ask questions, get feedback. And finally, you wrap up with a clear call to action. What do you want people to do with this newfound knowledge?
I’ve even used this approach for this blog post. Can you tell? I started by sharing my struggle with getting ideas across, which was my open loop. Then I laid out the framing by empathizing with your possible experiences. And for the main event, I presented the TOFIQA framework as my big idea, with the ‘www’ strategy to drive it home.
So, how do you share your brilliant thoughts? Got a method that works like magic for you? Ever had an idea that you thought was the bee’s knees, but it just didn’t click with anyone else? Maybe it wasn’t the idea but how you presented it.
April 19, 2024
Hey there! Guess what? I was strolling this morning with a buddy of mine, just chatting about life and stuff. And, you know what? It hit me – I’ve changed the way I do things, especially after reading this cool book Show Your Work by Austin Kleon. You should totally check it out!
So, my friend was curious about what I’ve been up to. I told him I’m all about sharing my journey now. It’s so different from my old self. Let me tell you, I used to be all about teaching and creating content that aimed to transform someone’s life. It was all about solving problems.
But here’s the thing:
- I felt trapped, like I was constantly trying to meet expectations.
- I was linking my self-worth to the value I provided through my content.
- I always wanted to prove how cool I was by helping others.
Creating content back then was like saying, Hey, look at me! I’m valuable because I can teach you stuff! But let’s be real, it kind of felt like I was seeking approval.
There’s no shame in that game, though. Helping people and solving their problems? That’s awesome! But for me, things have taken a new turn. Now, I’m not focused on that kind of transformation.
If a transformation happens, cool. If not, that’s cool too. It’s no longer about proving my worth. It’s just about sharing my world with you.
Yep, you heard it right. I’m human, just like you. We all like a little pat on the back, don’t we? But I don’t feel that urge to show off anymore. That’s a big relief!
Could I still whip up content that teaches you something? Totally. But it’s not my main goal now. If my sharing helps you someway, that’s a bonus!
Here’s the kicker:
- My self-worth isn’t tied to my content anymore.
- I’m doing this for the joy of sharing, not for validation.
- I’m curious to see where this journey takes us!
It’s like, take it or leave it, you know? If my stuff resonates with you, awesome! If not, no sweat, because you’re here for the real me, not just for what I can teach you.
So, what about you? Are you all about teaching and transforming lives? Or maybe you’re also finding joy in just sharing your story? Do you link your value to your content? There’s no right or wrong answer here.
I’m just stoked to be creating content again, without the pressure.
April 16, 2024
Ever had that eureka moment when everything just clicks into place?
Let’s talk about product-market fit, the magical realm where your product feels like it was made for the market.
We often hear about the importance of product-market fit (PMF), but why rehash it?
Because, when you achieve it, the game changes.
I’ve witnessed this transformation a few times in my career. It’s not a constant visitor, but when it does grace us with its presence, boy, does it make an entrance.
It’s like suddenly, the universe conspires in your favor—customers can’t stop talking about your product, and revenue climbs effortlessly. It’s a delightful state to be in.
Conversely, when you miss the mark, you can feel it. Everything is an uphill battle, from extracting feedback to tackling less-than-stellar reviews.
That’s why I was intrigued when I stumbled upon Limitless, the rebranded incarnation of Rewind. It’s a wearable tech that records your conversations and possibly has a camera.
Initially, I had my reservations, especially around privacy. However, the rebranding has piqued my curiosity. They seem to have tweaked their strategy to potentially nail PMF.
Visiting their new website, it’s like a breath of fresh air…
Simplistic, Apple-esque design that guides you seamlessly through their narrative.
The pricing page is another win—clear, concise, and utterly devoid of confusion. Two options: free or go pro. No mess, no fuss.
Although I haven’t personally tried the product, I can’t help but be impressed by their approach. They’ve refined their messaging and presented it in a way that seems to resonate with what people are looking for.
I’m not here to push you to buy; rather, I’m sharing an example that could be on the cusp of PMF greatness. It’s a case study worth observing for anyone involved in product creation, SaaS, or just curious about market dynamics.
One thing I would suggest for Limitless is to amplify their commitment to privacy.
They’ve addressed this concern with a section on their confidential cloud, which, compared to the data policies of giants like Google and Facebook, positions them as a beacon of user privacy.
But I think they can make it even more front and center on their site than they currently have. Like, right at the top of the page.
It’s too soon to tell if Limitless will succeed long term, but they’ve certainly caught my attention.
I’m fascinated by product-market fit—it’s the holy grail for growth. Observing a company possibly hitting that sweet spot is like watching a star being born.
So, what’s your take on Limitless? Do you think they’ve achieved the elusive PMF? And what are your strategies for reaching it?
April 9, 2024
Ever had that heart-pounding moment when you’re about to share something big with the world? Yeah, that’s the daily bread for anyone building in public. But is it always the smart move?
‘To reveal or not to reveal,’ that’s the conundrum I’m tackling today.
In the realm of software development, this debate is kind of a big deal. You’ve got two camps:
- the ‘open book’ brigade who build their projects under the public eye, and t
- he ‘cloak and dagger’ crew who keep their cards close to their chest until the grand reveal.
I’ve been on both sides of this fence, and let me tell you, it’s a wild ride either way.
Choosing to build in public is like throwing a house party and inviting the whole neighborhood – you get instant feedback on your music playlist and snack selection.
This gratification is great because it keeps you from spending ages perfecting a salsa dip no one likes. That said, it also means the folks next door might throw a shinier, louder bash using your carefully curated playlist, stealing your party animals.
On the flip side, building in private is like planning a surprise birthday party. You’re banking on the hope that the guest of honor loves the theme and doesn’t wish they were elsewhere.
The upside? No copycat parties stealing your thunder. The downside? You might just find out they’re allergic to the cake you’ve spent months baking.
Me? I’ve shifted gears to building in private.
I’ve had my share of poachers, competitors masquerading as clients who’d pluck our features and sprint ahead with bigger budgets.
Lesson learned?
My ideas are precious, and so is the time and money my team and I pour into them. We’re not just crafting code; we’re building dreams, supporting families.
And that’s worth safeguarding.
But hey, I’m not completely shut off. I’ve fine-tuned my process – I build in private, but I keep a circle of beta testers and advisors looped in. That way, we’re not shooting in the dark; we’re getting spotlights shone on our work, without broadcasting it on the evening news.
I’m curious, though, about your take on this…
Are you a die-hard public builder or a secret strategist? Or maybe you’re somewhere in between?
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