- Joined
- Jun 4, 2016
- Messages
- 79
Rep Bank
$880
$880
User Power: 205%
I am a software developer.
This is how I thought about myself for many years. I studied IT, made a diploma and a MSC. I worked for companies and wrote software for them. Then I started freelancing six years ago.
I get very good hourly rates for my freelancing, but basically I changed the form of employment. It's slowlane, but at least it's not the sidewalk. But I get all my clients just because of the skills I have. I don't solve real problems. They want xyz coded and I do it. I get my hourly rates because there are not so many highly educated people with the specific experiences like mine.
I started my first "own" company four years ago. I created a web app that solves decision problems (like the website from the fastlane book, just with lots of unneeded details). I thought: "Well, I'm a software developer, so I need a co-founder with sales experience". I found one.
He could sell himself very well, but he couldn't sell our product. It was too generic to solve a real problem, so I think nobody could really sell that product. But the point is, I had no idea about selling and I didn't start learning that day.
My biggest lesson learned from that first company was the classic one. We built something that no one needed. We didn't solve a problem. So I started learning to spot problems and needs. Currently I talk to 100 freelaners / software agencies, to learn about their problems and needs. I will create my next product around the needs and problems of freelance software developers. Since I'm a software developer and freelancer myself, I can easily connect and I know most of their pains myself.
But now I'm at this point:
But where do I start? I don't think that I need all marketing / sales skills. As a software developer I try to get a T-Shaped profile. I know one aspect very deep (scalable web apps) and I know basic stuff about many other parts (e.g. Deployment, Testing, UX, ...)
I want to build software products, since this is one of my biggest strengths. I also like writing, so info products will be other products. What kind of marketing skills do I need to practice for these kinds of products? And more important: Which skills can I ignore for the start?
How did you become the best sales person for exactly the products you create and sell?
This is how I thought about myself for many years. I studied IT, made a diploma and a MSC. I worked for companies and wrote software for them. Then I started freelancing six years ago.
I get very good hourly rates for my freelancing, but basically I changed the form of employment. It's slowlane, but at least it's not the sidewalk. But I get all my clients just because of the skills I have. I don't solve real problems. They want xyz coded and I do it. I get my hourly rates because there are not so many highly educated people with the specific experiences like mine.
I started my first "own" company four years ago. I created a web app that solves decision problems (like the website from the fastlane book, just with lots of unneeded details). I thought: "Well, I'm a software developer, so I need a co-founder with sales experience". I found one.
He could sell himself very well, but he couldn't sell our product. It was too generic to solve a real problem, so I think nobody could really sell that product. But the point is, I had no idea about selling and I didn't start learning that day.
My biggest lesson learned from that first company was the classic one. We built something that no one needed. We didn't solve a problem. So I started learning to spot problems and needs. Currently I talk to 100 freelaners / software agencies, to learn about their problems and needs. I will create my next product around the needs and problems of freelance software developers. Since I'm a software developer and freelancer myself, I can easily connect and I know most of their pains myself.
But now I'm at this point:
- I know how to create products
- I start knowing if there is a real need
- I wont build too complex and too big solutions anymore
- But I don't know how or where to sell them...
But where do I start? I don't think that I need all marketing / sales skills. As a software developer I try to get a T-Shaped profile. I know one aspect very deep (scalable web apps) and I know basic stuff about many other parts (e.g. Deployment, Testing, UX, ...)
I want to build software products, since this is one of my biggest strengths. I also like writing, so info products will be other products. What kind of marketing skills do I need to practice for these kinds of products? And more important: Which skills can I ignore for the start?
How did you become the best sales person for exactly the products you create and sell?
Dislike ads? Become a Fastlane member:
Subscribe today and surround yourself with winners and millionaire mentors, not those broke friends who only want to drink beer and play video games. :-)
Access Restricted: Unlock 1,000,000+ Posts
Stop Peeking Through the Keyhole.
Open the Door.
You hit a wall because the best advice isn't free—it's earned. Since 2007, MJ DeMarco has been active here daily (99.9% active rate), building a war room for entrepreneurs who refuse to settle for mediocrity.
- Active Daily: Life-changing content posted dozens of times every day. No dead threads.
- MJ's Inner Circle: Direct access to the author of The Millionaire Fastlane.
- Vetted Network: Connect with founders scaling to 7 and 8 figures.
- Proven Roadmaps: Strategy over motivation. Execution over "hustle porn."
"SCALED TO 6-FIGURE MONTHS"
"Tips and advice here saved me from huge mistakes, others allowed me to scale my business to 6-figure months."— User MitchC
"INSANE QUALITY OF PEOPLE"
"The number of high quality people I've met from this forum has been insane. All of it predicated on building real value."— User Richard Peck
"You are the average of the five people you surround yourself with."
Are you surrounding yourself with success?
