SAA(H)S: From Idea Extraction To Paying Customers

[francevalue]

Hi!

I've decided to create this progress thread to take massive action, stop procrastination, and hold myself accountable. It will help!

My plan is:
1) Cold call a lot of businesses using the Idea Extraction Technique to find a pain point
2) Pre-sell my solution
3) Build an MVP
4) Hear Feedback, Improve!

I've already called lawyers, which was difficult (because when I just had to touch the "dial" button I was almost paralysed , but now it's ok)

If you want to follow my journey, you're welcome.

My Goals:

• Creating a SaaS solving a problem
• Get accepted in a economy school
• Take the money of the SaaS to build another business.

PS: On a side note, I contacted someone who could help me with building a business that might be worth several million dollars (but I don't have the funds for now, which is why I'll create a SAAS)

 

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[ADR]

How did those calls go?

 

[francevalue]

How did those calls go?

The majority were automatic answers. One office had no available lawyers, and 2 others were not interested.

 

[NMdad]

You might be able to get a SAAS idea that way, but it might be more fruitful to look at the gold that might be under your feet right now: HOT TOPIC - Are you ignoring the gold right in front of you?

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 1 --

I cold called 6 architects.
4 didn't anwser
1 said he didn't have the time
1 was a really friendly woman: we talked 15 minutes, and I know a problem that she has, but I'm not sure it could be solved by a Saas.

You might be able to get a SAAS idea that way, but it might be more fruitful to look at the gold that might be under your feet right now: HOT TOPIC - Are you ignoring the gold right in front of you?

Thanks! Will look at it. But since I'm a student, it's hard to make a B2B Saas in my "industry".

 

[EternalX]

DAY 1 --

I cold called 6 architects.
4 didn't anwser
1 said he didn't have the time
1 was a really friendly woman: we talked 15 minutes, and I know a problem that she has, but I'm not sure it could be solved by a Saas.


Thanks! Will look at it. But since I'm a student, it's hard to make a B2B Saas in my "industry".

Maybe you could find software ideas related to education if that's something you want to pursue, either aimed at the teachers like a software that'll help them keep track of their classes, when they need to prepare their lessons, correct the tests etc...
Or it could be a platform like duolingo but in another field which isn't as popular yet

 

[francevalue]

Maybe you could find software ideas related to education if that's something you want to pursue, either aimed at the teachers like a software that'll help them keep track of their classes, when they need to prepare their lessons, correct the tests etc...
Or it could be a platform like duolingo but in another field which isn't as popular yet

I thought about this exact idea but the problem is that teacher isn't a profit driven "business" (job), so I'm not sure they'd pay for a software.
(En plus ils sont pas très bien payés...)

 

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[EternalX]

I thought about this exact idea but the problem is that teacher isn't a profit driven "business" (job), so I'm not sure they'd pay for a software.
(En plus ils sont pas très bien payés...)

What if your main customer is the government ? Private schools could be able to purchase a software solution for their teachers too

 

[francevalue]

What if your main customer is the government ? Private schools could be able to purchase a software solution for their teachers too

True. However convicing the government at my age would be really difficult, but maybe later!

 

[EternalX]

True. However convicing the government at my age would be really difficult, but maybe later!

If you have a product that is working well, nobody is going to care about your age!
Private schools could be easier to validate any idea that you have so that when you try to grow you have proof that your software is working and improving the efficiency of the teachers for example

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 2 & 3 --

Couldn't cold call because of the weekend.

But I didn't do nothing. I read a lot about SaaS building, and of course idea extraction.

Found interesting things:

Idea Extraction – Key lessons weeks 1 and 2

Zero to Validating a SaaS: A Step-by-Step Recap

Tomorrow after school, I'll cold call more. Hope I'll get some answers and problems to solve !

FranceValue.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 4 --

Cold called 8 Architects today.

6 didn't anwser.

1 talked to me 10 minutes.

1 told me to call back later. I'll call him tomorrow.

I found a great room in my high school to call. That's great!

Progress is slow but here.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 5 --

Cold Called 17 Architects today!
- 15 didn't answer
- I had 2 discussions of approx. 10 minutes, where they said they have problems they would be willing to solve by paying --> good for pre selling!

I think I'll change the industry. Why? Yes, all 4 people who answered had the same problem, but it's an administrative problem: a SaaS might not be the solution!

I'll think about it and will keep you on touch

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 6 --

Didn't cold call today, as I was more focused on looking for another industry to help but...

... worked on my studies: college entrance test.

I don't know if I'll cold call tomorrow too because of my tight schedule. We'll see!

I have a list of potential niches: accountants, gardeners, car dealers... I don't know what to choose!

 

[NMdad]

But since I'm a student, it's hard to make a B2B Saas in my "industry".

You can pursue architecture firms, but my point still stands: every one of us has worked in and/or has had exposure to industries, and that experience gives us a perspective that allows us to uncover gold nuggets within those industries.

So, if you're "just" a student, consider:

• what do educational institutions struggle with?
• what do they currently pay for, but could be done better?

Your perspective as a student is actually super valuable. For example, consider how valuable a student is to a university--all the tuition & fees & room/board students pay, the post-graduation contributions they make to their school, etc.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 7 -- (1 week)

Didn't cold call today (busy schedule).

I made a list of possible industries to do Idea Extraction with.

HOWEVER, my country is placed in lockdown, starting on Monday. (Covid_19)

Meaning I won't go to high school for some time.

This may be a good occasion to cold call a lot, but Idk if business owners will be available. We'll see!

FranceValue (soon in lockdown)

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 8 --

Didn't cold call today as I was still looking for an industry to help.

I really "hope" business owners will still be available during the French Covid 19 Outbreak. Only one way to find out!

Take care!

 

[100k]

I think I'll change the industry. Why? Yes, all 4 people who answered had the same problem, but it's an administrative problem: a SaaS might not be the solution!

Tell us more about the problem. Maybe it can be solved some other-way.

Also, don't lock yourself into the "solution trap" - where the problem you're trying to solve has to fit perfectly with the solution you have already decided on.

That's like having a hammer and looking for nails to bang, sometimes you don't need a hammer - sometimes you need to change out the tool and use a saw or wrench.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 9 & 10 --

Working on a Google Sheet where I rank possible industries to help with a points ranking.

 

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[eliquid]

If you aren't building the SaaS to solve your own problems ( domain authority ) then you are doing it the wrong way.

Trust me.

GOLD! - HOT! - SAAS / APPS - Ask Me Anything About SaaS ( I'm building my 7th )

Hello everyone. A lot of you know me for my digital marketing Gold Thread here on the FLF ( see sig ), as well as other posts in the forum. What you might not know is that I've successfully built 6 profitable SaaS programs either solely by myself, or with a single partner ( and with no other...

www.thefastlaneforum.com

.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 11 & 12 --

Finished my Excel sheet!

If you aren't building the SaaS to solve your own problems ( domain authority ) then you are doing it the wrong way.

Trust me.

Thanks. I've read your thread and I'll study the concept of domain authority a bit more.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 13 --

So, I am hesitating between 4 businesses:

• Swimming Pool Construction
• Dentists
• Real Estate Agencies
• Car Dealers
• Plumbers
• Accountants

What do you think?

I NEED a deadline to make myself accountable:

1. Before April the First, I'll have a great problem to solve.
2. Before April the 8th, I'll have $500 dollars in pre sales.
3. Before April the 24th, I'll have an MVP running.

It will help me.

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 14 & 15 --

Didn't get much done...
I chose to get on the real estate agency niche, because there are plenty of them.

I tried this evening Yellow Pages Extractor to extract emails, but it didn't work. I'll call directly.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 16 to 29 --
Did almost nothing. Shit.

DAY 30 to 33 --

Cold called real estate agencies.

They have problems with the administration (not surprising).

They also have problems with leads generation <-- Might be good.

 

[francevalue]

DAY 34 --

I THINK I've found a great need. There are already a few competitors, which shows there is demand.

Will pre sell tomorrow to see if people would want my product.

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 35 & 35 & 37 --

Negative

Well well well... Looks like the need was already fulfilled.
I called to pre sell and they all said that they already had a good solution.
I asked if they had problems with it, they dais they didn't.

Positive

Had an order on my Shopify website I started a month ago, without running any ads. Unexpected!
I could call local businesses to build a website for them to get some money.

 

[knz]

DAY 35 & 35 & 37 --

Negative

Well well well... Looks like the need was already fulfilled.
I called to pre sell and they all said that they already had a good solution.
I asked if they had problems with it, they dais they didn't.

Positive

Had an order on my Shopify website I started a month ago, without running any ads. Unexpected!
I could call local businesses to build a website for them to get some money.

Keep up the good work man, we're following you. It's not an easy road but at least you keep going and keep calling! You called many people. Do you keep a list of their answers, sorted by people that have a 'problem' and people that have 'no problems'?

If you keep a list of companies / industries with particular problems and keep track of it. You might eventually find a pattern which you can try to find a solution for. As you know the particular people you called, you can call them back trying to sell the solution you build for their problem basically.

 

[francevalue]

Keep up the good work man, we're following you. It's not an easy road but at least you keep going and keep calling! You called many people

Thanks man. I appreciate it.

Do you keep a list of their answers, sorted by people that have a 'problem' and people that have 'no problems'?

Yes I do! Being organized is mandatory.

If you keep a list of companies / industries with particular problems and keep track of it. You might eventually find a pattern which you can try to find a solution for. As you know the particular people you called, you can call them back trying to sell the solution you build for their problem basically.

Exactly! This is what I did but it looked like they already had a good solution...

Thanks for your answer!

 

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[francevalue]

DAY 38--

NEGATIVE (or is it?)

Didn't cold call any business for idea extraction today.

POSITIVE
I cold called a realtor (without any script) who didn't have a website, and guess what?
I made the site for her for free, and she sort of "promised" to pay me.
That's good!

 

[francevalue]

DAY 39--

NEGATIVE
Didn't cold call any business for idea extraction today.
The first woman didn't have the time to review my website.

POSITIVE
I cold called an electrician who agreed that I build the site for him.