Non-technical founders: Where did you spend your time pre-launch?
I'm a non-technical founder. We have a great developer working on our content marketing automation platform for us.
We're launching our beta in about a month so he's hard at work building.
My question is; what are the most important areas a non-technical founder should be working on while the product is being developed?
Here's where I've been focused but would love hear your thoughts on what was successful for other non-technical founders pre-launch.
- Product validation. Interview potential customers to make sure what you're building is scratching their itch.
- Content marketing. Build brand value and awareness with blog and social content.
- Keep the company afloat. Make sure the company has enough runway to get to market.
What other areas are important for non-technical founders to do pre-launch to help the likelihood of a successful launch?
Stay awesome.
also - study your target market. ensure that your MVP is solving a problem that they experience. learn the language of their problems - it could uncover good keywords when you do SEM.
Yeah, product/market validation seems to be the #1, 2, and 3 top things to do. Was there any effective ways you did this?
I worked with my first customer for free (large shopping mall), to test my MVP. While the product and service worked, I discovered that it did not "deliver revenue" for the client, so they told me they don't think they will need it in the future. It's really tough to hear, but that's why you need to validate. I always try to start with the problem of the customer in mind first, above all, and then make a decision if what my MVP has a market. I am back to square one and working on a new product/ service.
Dave, don't forget customer service. its a valuable tool for both feedback and product improvement.
Well, we're pre-launch so there's no active customers yet. But maybe your point is to prepare for good customer service when we do launch?
Hi Dave, yes that's what I meant, apologies for not being clear.