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Ask Me Anything About SaaS ( I'm building my 7th )

eliquid

( Jason Brown )
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Thank you for sharing @eliquid

Not sure if you have answred this before, tried searching in this thread and couldn't find it.

What can we do to get our first 1, 10 and 100 customers?

Thank you

I think you should have your first 10 customers before you even build the SaaS. I don't mean directly handing you cash before it's built, but essentially you should have them already lined up before the first line of code.

In my journey, I was considered an expert in the field before I built my SaaS that I am on now. I had prior SaaS companies in the same space before my current one, so I knew customers would/could jump over.

I had people excited about what I was building before it was finished.

I had content out there people loved and wanted more of.

People knew they wanted to be part of the next revolution my SaaS was nursing.

If you just build your SaaS in a silent vacuum, getting your 1st or first 10 customers will be hard. Getting to 100 will be even more difficult.

You already need to have buzz out there about the SaaS or about you. That's how you get your 1st-10th customers on day one.

To give you an example, by day 60 of our SaaS... I already had 320 paying customers.

You need to put in the work to be the authority before the SaaS is launched or while its being launched.

Where can you be the authority?

.
 
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daru

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Yeah, every language has a function or best use case.

A lot depends on how you code though.

For example, we pretty much built our current SaaS in a mix of:
  • PHP - why? because it's the language I knew personally very well
  • Perl - why? because it's the language my partner knew personally very well
  • MySQL- why? because it's the database we both knew very well
This got us to our first 5 figures in MRR tech wise.

As we grew we faced some hurdles. Most of it concerning the processing of our ever growing amount of Big Data and our need to get things done faster and faster. Because of this we redid a lot of our PHP, Perl, and MySQL

That got us further down the road a couple of years.

We kept hitting performance issues as we approached the "next level". At this level we had to redo things again to get faster.

This might adding in things like:
  • Redis - why? lightening quick database like structure to hold data for us

  • C++ & C - why? critical parts of our system can now talk to other parts faster.
    • Redis is written in C, MySQL is written in C
    • When you write in PHP or Perl, that has to be interpreted and broken down, then talk to MySQL/Redis in PHP or Perl ( drivers ) and also interrupted and broken down. This happens back and forth a lot
    • When you write in C instead, you can talk directly to Redis or MySQL ( and other platforms maybe ). The speed is tremendous. There is no need to break down and interpret.
    • Simple queries and actions in PHP or Perl that took seconds to run over big data, now take fractions of a millisecond to perform
    • When you are running something 24/7, this adds up

However, you can take C or C++ and not know what you are doing and end up writing something awful and brings down your system. You have to know C and C++ well because many libraries you are use to in PHP won't be there. You gotta watch out for memory allocation and other things. You can write some bad code and everything will come to a stand still.

However, C++ had it's place for us when needed and used properly. However, we didn't have to worry about this until we were making good money and had time to figure it out when it actually needed to be figured out.

Could we have still found a solution using just PHP and Perl and MySQL? Hell yeah, but it would get costly as we would have more than likely needed to more servers and more code and more complexion. It just depends on what you're ready to live with and deal with at that time.

.
So true!

Similar approach for me would be Python and Postgresql to get going. When shit hits the fan: C++ possibly cheating a bit by using Qt. Qt is a C++ framework mostly for GUI-dev but has many useful parts (I love signals & slots) that make C++ dev easier (memory management, String handling, Json parsing etc.).

But as @eliquid said which is very important to understand: C++ had it's place for us when needed and used properly. However, we didn't have to worry about this until we were making good money and had time to figure it out when it actually needed to be figured out.
:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:


Premature optimization anyone?
 
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eliquid

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For those of you that don't know, I'll be speaking at the 2018 FLF event in Scottsdale.

Specifically, I'll be talking about SaaS. If you want to meetup during the event ( or slightly before/after ), this is your notice to attend the event and make contact with me.

Meetup - 2018 Fastlane Summit - Confirmed Speaker List

.
 

TreyAllDay

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Great posts on partnerships @eliquid . I've also found that with partnerships, you kind of have a gut feeling at times too on whether you can trust someone. Given, this can mislead you at times, so I'm not sure how much other's trust their guts. However, in my experience, when things don't feel right, there's usually a reason.
 
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TreyAllDay

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Hello everyone.
Ask away!
.

Okay, my new question for the day lol. I know that, in starting a business, you shouldn't be focused just on money or liquidation - you should focus on value. That being said, you mentioned selling some of your businesses, and this is my end goal as well.

I have NO clue, so I'm curious, what does that look like for SAAS that isn't high profile (like instagram)? And do you have any tips for SAAS entrepeneurs seeking liquidation? Are SAAS companies being bought up at the same rate as they were in the past, and by whom? How do you get noticed? I know MJ mentioned that when you're successful, investors/buyers will seek you out. How true is this?

EDIT: I am seeing now that you closed them down, not necessarily sold
 
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eliquid

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Great posts on partnerships @eliquid . I've also found that with partnerships, you kind of have a gut feeling at times too on whether you can trust someone. Given, this can mislead you at times, so I'm not sure how much other's trust their guts. However, in my experience, when things don't feel right, there's usually a reason.

Yeah, sometimes I look at my posts above and I feel like a lot of what I am saying is summarized as:

I did this a lot ( prior SaaS's ) and I stayed in this industry a lot ( all digital marketing ) and I have this background as a semi authority ( again back to lots of experience ). But in all reality, you need that to build that "gut" checking ability.

We aren't going to come up to our first ever at bat ( think baseball ) as a rookie and on our first swing hit a grand slam. Most rookies won't even bat an average season. It's only after 2-3 seasons do the rookies get good. At 5-7 they are seasoned and getting better ( hopefully ). Some just suck still at 5-7 seasons too though.

However, you need that gut check. You need to know where you failed before.

The gut is your 2nd brain in many cases and you can only develop your brain and your gut after many misfires and strike outs.

.
 

ruzara5

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Thank you for the informative posts on this topic. Regards to SAAS. How do you think sql and other layers of programming in the stack help with securing, integrating, and interacting with services in the market of cryptocurrencies in the next five years. I know it will change. I know it is growing. Just enjoy reading your input on this model and angle.
 
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@eliquid can you spend some time discussing a potential framework on how to decide on a SaaS concept to pursue. I read your information about how you focused on your industry which was great but how do you sort of guage what your SaaS should do.

Is basing your SaaS on what is currently out in the market for a particular industry enough to run with?

I think Dane discussed interviewing people and asking them which Always seemed kind of ridiculous as customers can’t really tell you what to build.

What is your take on this.
 

eliquid

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Thank you for the informative posts on this topic. Regards to SAAS. How do you think sql and other layers of programming in the stack help with securing, integrating, and interacting with services in the market of cryptocurrencies in the next five years. I know it will change. I know it is growing. Just enjoy reading your input on this model and angle.

I honestly have no clue what you are speaking about. That's not a dig or a bad thing, I just don't really understand what you are asking. Maybe if you framed it differently I would understand.

What I think you are asking is how do I think regular programming tech will play with crypto in the next 5 years.

Meaning, PHP.. SQL.. Go.. Apache.. Redis.. etc being involved in crypto.

Honestly I don't know.

I know I see MIT giving out diploma's on the blockchain right now. I see people building websites on the blockchain. I see things happening I haven't had time to study atm and therefor understand fully.

This is why I built a SaaS in what I know and eat/breathe/live and not in something like crypto or blockchain, or women's self help studies. I eat what I cook.

.
 

eliquid

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@eliquid can you spend some time discussing a potential framework on how to decide on a SaaS concept to pursue. I read your information about how you focused on your industry which was great but how do you sort of guage what your SaaS should do.

Is basing your SaaS on what is currently out in the market for a particular industry enough to run with?

I think Dane discussed interviewing people and asking them which Always seemed kind of ridiculous as customers can’t really tell you what to build.

What is your take on this.

I think the framework would be like any other framework for making decisions.

I started another thread about core values over at Not Fulfilled? Depressed? Maybe You Need An Alignment

It might not make sense now ( I have 1 meaningful post up there, more are coming though ), but that is actually a framework for how I make choices in my life. Granted, I haven't got to the business part of the posts yet, but it's one part. It won't answer your question right now, but if you read it you will get some insight into how I at least use 1 framework for alignment and choice making.

Another part of what I do is something like CENTS which MJ talks about here

Another is weighted Pros and Cons

Another is "what is there demand for, that I can build an advantage moat around and spin differently?"

I might have to circle back to this answer later on this week as I think about this so that I can answer you fully. Right now I have lots of "loose ideas" and checks I do, but no real concrete answer for you.

Instead of inserting my ramblings as they come to my fingertips, let me write everything down on paper and flesh out in another post here in this thread later in the week so it makes sense.

Give me some time. I wanted to post here so I could at least acknowledge your post and let you know I need to formulate it a bit to make it coherent for you.

.
 
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eliquid

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Didn't get under 2%, but stayed under 3% churn.

That's more than 1% since August ( an increase of over $800 per customer lifetime )
 
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eliquid

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@eliquid can you spend some time discussing a potential framework on how to decide on a SaaS concept to pursue. I read your information about how you focused on your industry which was great but how do you sort of guage what your SaaS should do.

Is basing your SaaS on what is currently out in the market for a particular industry enough to run with?

I think Dane discussed interviewing people and asking them which Always seemed kind of ridiculous as customers can’t really tell you what to build.

What is your take on this.

So I touched on several things on your question here:
GOLD - Ask Me Anything About SaaS ( I'm building my 7th )


I think the best loose framework is this:
  • Have domain knowledge
    • Do you have to have this, no. However it will make building your SaaS 10,000x easier and faster
  • Does it fit your core values, mission statement, and who you are?
  • Can you pull this off yourself, or do you need partners?
    • Depending on others is tough sometimes, how much can you pull off yourself initially before bringing on others?
  • Does it make CENTS?
    • Read MJ's book
  • Do you have competition? If no, this could be a bad sign.. but not always.
    • I look for products I like, but don't love.
    • I create the same product, but make it the one I love
    • You gotta add several of your own twists to it to have it standout
  • Build an MVP and see if your beta users love it too
    • Build off their feedback, but only if it aligns with your roadmap of features
  • How big is your market?
    • Be realistic. I own a SaaS in the digital marketing industry. However, not every digital marketer is my customer. Your core market needs to be big enough to provide you profit and not trip over the fact you will have churn
  • Can you grandma or mom understand what you are doing? If no, you need to work on your product and how it helps others
    • Don't focus on the most advanced users of your product, focus on the least advanced


If I think of more or a better way to glue this all together, I'll come back and edit this one post.

.
 

eliquid

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Got any questions?

I'm wanting to prepare for my presentations at the event in Feb. Your questions here could help me line out my presentation out there
 
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LeoistheSun

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Hey @eliquid I have a question on pricing...

Is their ever a benefit to lower price vs higher price? In this instance it might be $100/mo vs $50/mo.

In my mind, I'm thinking that the $50/mo might be a little bit less work to sell people on (also because it offers tremendous value). My SaaS app (currently just a desktop program) is directed to Vets themselves not the business itself (their could be anywhere from 1-6 Vets per practice) but it varies (some practices share patients while others have their own but share the office space).

What I am trying to say here, is I'd like to somehow encourage the "sharing effect." Like I want the first Vet in an office to be so impressed or the program offers so much value that he tells his co-workers and they purchase too. In my mind though, I think that $100 might be a little steep for what it does (it saves anywhere from 6-20 hours per week or more) and may require further convincing...

If the Vets are not being paid hourly, most likely a % or salary, how do you tie the time savings in, in quantifiable benefits?

thoughts?

Also if my app is profiting off of the inefficiencies in another program (but does not use it at all), does it fulfill the commandment of CONTROL?
 
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G

Guest92dX

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@eliquid

I referenced you in @LeoistheSun Saasify thread.

Here's trying "the foundation" method to starting.

How would you start from $0?

I gave Leo some tactics and strategy I've come across in my own life that are tested for casual use with friends and relationships based on what I know about the foundation and being an employee for a business.

My theory and tactics are currently untested for starting a business though from $0 though.

Some forum recommended books have even stated that money hurts more than helps. My own experience has confirmed this: Other people's money doesn't help. Excess cash has only helped me fail in a spectacular way.

I haven't tried the $0 approach though because I always thought it takes money to start rather than certain critical resources.

I will PM you the theory I have on how to start from nothing if you want to just check it across your experience without answering publicly.

You could pollute the SaaS industry overnight with the answer.

You also saw my other thread asking about databases to search for market information. Please answer what you would use for that research.

I personally think you don't need any cash to start or experience. You usually don't need much if any experience for most jobs (non-technical and even some technical because they train). Lots of things in life can be learned when taking action because life is a non-linear path.

1. How would you start from $0 without coding?

You may keep your technical experience on directing projects.

2. How would someone get to project completion and first customers?

3. What database would you use for your research?

4. What would you look for in a market to build an industry solution?

5. What would you look for in a product?

6. For non-technical creators would you use a low-code or robust no-code system like bubble.is?

If you had no technical experience.

7. Do you think it's possible in 2017 to start with $0 and build a SaaS. Please give a defense if you think so because some people trash the method who are credible.

8. How profitable do you think doing it that way would be? Exit potential? Lifestyle potential? Start to lifestyle change potential?

Really want to get a fact check from someone who has done this 7 times differently than Dane Maxwell.

I listed 5 ways I think you can get to a profitable idea in the Saasify thread. There should be many ways to start as well.
 

LeoistheSun

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@eliquid

I referenced you in @LeoistheSun Saasify thread.

Here's trying "the foundation" method to starting.

How would you start from $0?

I gave Leo some tactics and strategy I've come across in my own life that are tested for casual use with friends and relationships based on what I know about the foundation and being an employee for a business.

My theory and tactics are currently untested for starting a business though from $0 though.

Some forum recommended books have even stated that money hurts more than helps. My own experience has confirmed this: Other people's money doesn't help. Excess cash has only helped me fail in a spectacular way.

I haven't tried the $0 approach though because I always thought it takes money to start rather than certain critical resources.

I will PM you the theory I have on how to start from nothing if you want to just check it across your experience without answering publicly.

You could pollute the SaaS industry overnight with the answer.

You also saw my other thread asking about databases to search for market information. Please answer what you would use for that research.

I personally think you don't need any cash to start or experience. You usually don't need much if any experience for most jobs (non-technical and even some technical because they train). Lots of things in life can be learned when taking action because life is a non-linear path.

1. How would you start from $0 without coding?

You may keep your technical experience on directing projects.

2. How would someone get to project completion and first customers?

3. What database would you use for your research?

4. What would you look for in a market to build an industry solution?

5. What would you look for in a product?

6. For non-technical creators would you use a low-code or robust no-code system like bubble.is?

If you had no technical experience.

7. Do you think it's possible in 2017 to start with $0 and build a SaaS. Please give a defense if you think so because some people trash the method who are credible.

8. How profitable do you think doing it that way would be? Exit potential? Lifestyle potential? Start to lifestyle change potential?

Really want to get a fact check from someone who has done this 7 times differently than Dane Maxwell.

I listed 5 ways I think you can get to a profitable idea in the Saasify thread. There should be many ways to start as well.

If I am not mistaken, @eliquid has all his 7 SaaS's in the same or similar niche. Therefore he can sell the same customers to them. Much easier than those who have not bought...

Might be wrong... but thats one way of doing it.

Find an idea ->build it -> build a kickass marketing website that gives everything away for free -> build another saas in the same niche -> build another
 
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TreyAllDay

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@eliquid Do you still invest heavily in SEO for your tech, is it the right direction, and do you have any resources for those getting started?

I have been shoveling money into adwords with little traction and at my businesses size right now (b2b) the word of mouth is too slow! :(
 

eliquid

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@eliquid Do you still invest heavily in SEO for your tech, is it the right direction, and do you have any resources for those getting started?

I have been shoveling money into adwords with little traction and at my businesses size right now (b2b) the word of mouth is too slow! :(

I don't invest heavily, but it depends on your experience and meaning in that phrase.

It might make more sense to explain what I do in SEO.. To me it's not investing heavily, to others it might be.

Since I've played in this space ( digital marketing, internet marketers, SEOs ), I just know the keywords we should aim for in general. I didn't do indepth research into longtails and such. I just know what my market searches for, because I am the market myself.

Those terms are sprinkled in the places they need to be, like titles and meta tags. Also in the content on the page and in H1's, etc.....

That's the technical side of it pretty much with the exception of writing really well done content like:
  • Domain Age For SEO Is EXTREMELY Important - example of research we uncovered using our "big data" warehouse of servers and some AI. While everyone is screaming about content and links, we actually uncovered something valid, almost unhackable, and game shattering for SEOs.

  • Experts Weigh In On SEO Heading Into 2018 - we asked our customers what they needed help on, then went out and found experts to answer those specific and direct questions. We were also the first to start talking about how SEO will change in 2018.. no one else was thinking this far ahead and trying to help the market.

  • Push Down Negative Websites Just Like Expensive ORM Professionals - targeting a subset of our users. But this isn't just some list we stole from another site or a dump we found. I actually did research for weeks on different terms and recorded the results and shared them, its actual research that is current and actively used.. not just "theory" or a list of sites from 2012

Past that, we share these in normal places like Twitter, in emails, Reddit, Facebook, Linkedin, other blogs pick them up, etc.

That's the extent of it right now.

I'm looking to get into guest posts a bit more and writing for some publications.

To some, that might be investing heavily.. to others like me, it's not a lot.

I think if you come up with great content ideas, write them out with a focus to help people, and then get the sharing started.. it will pick up on it's own.

It's amazing the small little niche places we find our articles shared.. it's even better when we find a slide deck where someone talked about us at a conference and we never knew it.

Most of it starts with the articles though. It's got to be unique and helpful. SEO will follow afterwards.

Of note, I use to do all the crazy SEO stuff in the past and was very active. I am more passive with it now ( link building stuff )

.
 
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eliquid

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If I am not mistaken, @eliquid has all his 7 SaaS's in the same or similar niche. Therefore he can sell the same customers to them. Much easier than those who have not bought...

Might be wrong... but thats one way of doing it.

Find an idea ->build it -> build a kickass marketing website that gives everything away for free -> build another saas in the same niche -> build another

That's how I fell into it.

Never meant it to be that way when I started. It was just a natural progression.

I think having domain knowledge helped me fall into it. I know where my market needed help and I built the SaaS. I also knew a few other areas it needed help and built those out as I progressed.

Some customers overlapped into each SaaS as I went forward.

All in all, I'm playing in the same space the whole time though.

I think I can expand out now past my same market because once you have a solid foundation built, it's easier to leapfrog to the next lilypad without getting dunked in water.

.
 
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eliquid

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Hey @eliquid I have a question on pricing...

Is their ever a benefit to lower price vs higher price? In this instance it might be $100/mo vs $50/mo.

In my mind, I'm thinking that the $50/mo might be a little bit less work to sell people on (also because it offers tremendous value). My SaaS app (currently just a desktop program) is directed to Vets themselves not the business itself (their could be anywhere from 1-6 Vets per practice) but it varies (some practices share patients while others have their own but share the office space).

What I am trying to say here, is I'd like to somehow encourage the "sharing effect." Like I want the first Vet in an office to be so impressed or the program offers so much value that he tells his co-workers and they purchase too. In my mind though, I think that $100 might be a little steep for what it does (it saves anywhere from 6-20 hours per week or more) and may require further convincing...

If the Vets are not being paid hourly, most likely a % or salary, how do you tie the time savings in, in quantifiable benefits?

thoughts?

Also if my app is profiting off of the inefficiencies in another program (but does not use it at all), does it fulfill the commandment of CONTROL?

So for pricing, here is a way you can think about it...

I looked up average salaries for Vets, its $91,250 a year.. which is like $43.85 an hour.

Your software saves them 6-20 hours of time per WEEK ( you said ). Lets average that to 13 hours a week.. or 52 hours a month.

At $50 a month, they save 52 hours a month in exchange for 1 hour of pay? That's massive value bro.

Even if its just the measly 6 hours a week and not 13 averaged, that's 24 hours saved a month for 1 hour of their pay pretty much. Still massive value.

If I was you, I'd up it to $100. I'd trade 2 hours for 52 hours of free time. Even 24 hours free time.

I'd hit up your current members and ask them directly how much time they save in a survey, then use those as testimonials on your site.

For the sharing and wow factor, that comes from having a great product and will naturally happen once your product is great. Telling you how to have a great product is a little bit more than I can share in this post, but you need to find out your CORE vet demos.

Why?

Because not every Vet will buy from you. It just won't happen.

You need to find your CORE vet demo, ask them about their issues and problems, and make sure your SaaS solves that and provides massive value. If you can really save them 52 hours a month for 2 hours of pay, you have all you need as long as you have an awesome product that is easy for them to use too.

.
 
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eliquid

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LeoistheSun

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So for pricing, here is a why you can think about it...

I looked up average salaries for Vets, its $91,250 a year.. which is like $43.85 an hour.

Your software saves them 6-20 hours of time per WEEK ( you said ). Lets average that to 13 hours a week.. or 52 hours a month.

At $50 a month, they save 52 hours a month in exchange for 1 hour of pay? That's massive value bro.

Even if its just the measly 6 hours a week and not 13 averaged, that's 24 hours saved a month for 1 hour of their pay pretty much. Still massive value.

If I was you, I'd up it to $100. I'd trade 2 hours for 52 hours of free time. Even 24 hours free time.

I'd hit up your current members and ask them directly how much time they save in a survey, then use those as testimonials on your site.

For the sharing and wow factor, that comes from having a great product and will naturally happen once your product is great. Telling you how to have a great product is a little bit more than I can share in this post, but you need to find out your CORE vet demos.

Why?

Because not every Vet will buy from you. It just won't happen.

You need to find your CORE vet demo, ask them about their issues and problems, and make sure your SaaS solves that and provides massive value. If you can really save them 52 hours a month for 2 hours of pay, you have all you need as long as you have an awesome product that is easy for them to use too.

.

Thanks for your reply! I meant to say (btw sorry haha) that it was 6-20+ hours a month not week :(
 

eliquid

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Thanks for your reply! I meant to say (btw sorry haha) that it was 6-20+ hours a month not week :(

It is still value, especially towards the higher end.

Survey your current members to be sure if you haven't. Average it out, it's 13 at your range now.

That's like 1.5 days ( at business hours ) saved a month, for 1-2 hours of salary?

For a professional that gets it ( and you could use this, but you should think of better ), thats:
  1. A day off work possibly each month to spend with kids or spouse
  2. A day I would spend improving my practice instead of "working"
  3. A day I could spend treating animals ( if I love it ) instead of "admin" tasks
  4. I reduce work for one of my assistants to have them doing something else
    1. I also reduce human error here too possibly
  5. A day I use for charity work to help spread my brand/practice in the community

Think of things your CORE Vet demo would say/do with that extra day or 2. Put that on your site.

.
 

eliquid

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@LeoistheSun

People love when you can make them money, or save them money too.

If you can tie that time saved ( or functions in your SaaS ) to making them more money or saving them money, you are hitting good points to help convince them to try you out.

.
 
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LeoistheSun

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It is still value, especially towards the higher end.

Survey your current members to be sure if you haven't. Average it out, it's 13 at your range now.

That's like 1.5 days ( at business hours ) saved a month, for 1-2 hours of salary?

For a professional that gets it ( and you could use this, but you should think of better ), thats:
  1. A day off work possibly each month to spend with kids or spouse
  2. A day I would spend improving my practice instead of "working"
  3. A day I could spend treating animals ( if I love it ) instead of "admin" tasks
  4. I reduce work for one of my assistants to have them doing something else
    1. I also reduce human error here too possibly
  5. A day I use for charity work to help spread my brand/practice in the community

Think of things your CORE Vet demo would say/do with that extra day or 2. Put that on your site.

.

Thanks @eliquid I am at the stage where I am pre-selling. But I wasn't sure as far as pre-selling amount (3 months upfront) and all that stuff. I will be sure to ask them too how much they might save or how much their process currently takes).

Do you have any tips on when you cold-call what you might say to the gatekeeper?

The comparison is great too! For the cost of one Starbucks coffee a day, you could save 1 hour!

Thanks!
 

eliquid

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Thanks @eliquid I am at the stage where I am pre-selling. But I wasn't sure as far as pre-selling amount (3 months upfront) and all that stuff. I will be sure to ask them too how much they might save or how much their process currently takes).

Do you have any tips on when you cold-call what you might say to the gatekeeper?

The comparison is great too! For the cost of one Starbucks coffee a day, you could save 1 hour!

Thanks!

It sounds like you don't really have a user base yet. Or maybe it's really really small. Just reading between the lines here.

If that's the case, offer your product for free when calling. Offer it for free when not calling.

Get 25 Vets in the door now, all for free.

Trust me on this, they will tell you what works and what doesn't and what they really need. They will also more than likely ( if you do it right ) be your brand evangelists and spread your word for you. ( again, if done right ). All of that together added up is more valuable than $100 a month from them.

.
 

eliquid

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@eliquid

I referenced you in @LeoistheSun Saasify thread.

Yes, I think I answered as best I could on that other thread so far.


Here's trying "the foundation" method to starting.

How would you start from $0?

I gave Leo some tactics and strategy I've come across in my own life that are tested for casual use with friends and relationships based on what I know about the foundation and being an employee for a business.

My theory and tactics are currently untested for starting a business though from $0 though.

Some forum recommended books have even stated that money hurts more than helps. My own experience has confirmed this: Other people's money doesn't help. Excess cash has only helped me fail in a spectacular way.

I haven't tried the $0 approach though because I always thought it takes money to start rather than certain critical resources.

I will PM you the theory I have on how to start from nothing if you want to just check it across your experience without answering publicly.

You could pollute the SaaS industry overnight with the answer.

You also saw my other thread asking about databases to search for market information. Please answer what you would use for that research.

I personally think you don't need any cash to start or experience. You usually don't need much if any experience for most jobs (non-technical and even some technical because they train). Lots of things in life can be learned when taking action because life is a non-linear path.

1. How would you start from $0 without coding?

You may keep your technical experience on directing projects.

2. How would someone get to project completion and first customers?

3. What database would you use for your research?

4. What would you look for in a market to build an industry solution?

5. What would you look for in a product?

6. For non-technical creators would you use a low-code or robust no-code system like bubble.is?

If you had no technical experience.

7. Do you think it's possible in 2017 to start with $0 and build a SaaS. Please give a defense if you think so because some people trash the method who are credible.

8. How profitable do you think doing it that way would be? Exit potential? Lifestyle potential? Start to lifestyle change potential?

Really want to get a fact check from someone who has done this 7 times differently than Dane Maxwell.

I listed 5 ways I think you can get to a profitable idea in the Saasify thread. There should be many ways to start as well.

Will answer the rest above when I get my off my coaching call with my students in a few hours.

Thanks!

.
 
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LeoistheSun

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It sounds like you don't really have a user base yet. Or maybe it's really really small. Just reading between the lines here.

If that's the case, offer your product for free when calling. Offer it for free when not calling.

Get 25 Vets in the door now, all for free.

Trust me on this, they will tell you what works and what doesn't and what they really need. They will also more than likely ( if you do it right ) be your brand evangelists and spread your word for you. ( again, if done right ). All of that together added up is more valuable than $100 a month from them.

.
Its not currently developed as of yet. I do have mockups and whatnot though.
 

eliquid

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Its not currently developed as of yet. I do have mockups and whatnot though.

Start giving away for free.

It's not simple to give away free.

If you find you can't get users to use it for free, you won't be able to get users to use it for $100 ( or $50 ).

And it's not about signups, it's about engagement after they sign up. Ongoing engagement.

.
 

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