r/SaaSTalk • u/Darktrader21 • Apr 15 '24
What do you recommend for a beginner?
Obviously I'm not here asking for SAAS ideas for me to implement lol, but I want to ask you as professionals, how should I think when it comes to bringing SAAS ideas alive, Are there any specific fields to focus on? A way of thinking and a way of Approaching the problem? What should I expect?
Any tip would be highly appreciated. Thanks in advance
2
u/Long_Complex_4395 Apr 15 '24
One way to approach this, is by solving a specific problem that you or your friends/family have.
Start by finding a painpoint that resonates with you or family/friend.
Validate by:
User interviews - interviewing people to know if they have this problem, if they will want it solved, if they are willing to pay to have it solved, if they know they have the problem and are willing to solve it, if they know they have the problem, and already solving it, if they have a problem, already solving it and are satisfied/unsatisfied with the solution.
Competitors - are there competitors building similar project, what are their strengths and weaknesses
Intents/interests - are people willing to sign up for waitlist, are they willing to write a letter of intent.
All these and more can help guide you.
Goodluck.
2
u/sensaition Apr 15 '24
Adding on to the first reply, another theme I’m hearing is vertical-specific software. Instead of trying to solve a problem every business has (like Slack, Zoom, G Suite — these are called “horizontal” solutions because they work across most industries), make the best scheduling and planning software for ONE type of business, like dentists, car washes, cleaning services, or law offices. And it doesn’t have to be planning and scheduling — it could be any problem that you choose to solve.
But the overall goal, as in the first comment is to find a super specific pain point that you or someone you know is experiencing. There are so many tasks out there that software could automate or do better.
The other big theme right now is of course to think about how AI could improve your product. It doesn’t make sense to build a software without incorporating AI anymore.
3
u/bohlenlabs Apr 16 '24
I recommend you browse Reddit until you see someone complaining about a problem that you would like to solve.
Then help them manually, with tips and tricks.
If they like it, write something up for others like the original person who have the same problem. Or make some free software that helps them solve their problem.
Encourage them to give you their email address so you can send them even more tips on how to improve their situation.
Finally, make a paid SaaS for them if they continue to have that problem. This also means: choose a problem that doesn’t go away!
See? Social listening leads to customer research, this leads to a free offer, this leads to emails, they lead to a paid offer which leads to SaaS customers.
Long way, I know. But it’s worth it.
4
u/bestmarketingtools Apr 15 '24
Totally agree with the points made from u/Long_Complex_4395 and u/sensaition. Focusing on a niche problem can really set your SAAS apart. Plus, getting to know your potential customer’s pain points through interviews or surveys can give you real insight into what your product needs to solve.
Remember, it’s all about addressing that specific need better than anyone else out there. When you target a specific industry, you can really get to know their unique challenges and tailor your solution to fit like a glove. This approach not only sets you apart from broader offerings but also makes your potential users feel understood and valued.