How I Spent Years Earning Nothing by Creating Products No One Wanted
For years, I pursued the elusive dream of developing a product that people would actually pay for. I was convinced that having a “brilliant idea” was enough. I believed that hard work and execution would seal the deal. I thought that by including a multitude of features, users would flock to my creations. They didn’t.
The cycle I experienced was always the same:
- Get excited about a new idea
- Spend months crafting it
- Launch to total silence
- Feel despondent
- Repeat the process
I kept reassuring myself, “This time will be different,” yet I was stuck in the same trap: I never bothered to validate whether anyone truly wanted what I was creating or if they were willing to pay for it.
After numerous failures, I finally succeeded in building a product that people value. Here’s how I got my first 100 customers.
What Actually Worked (And What Didn’t)
What Worked:
- Identifying people who were ALREADY seeking a solution
- Instead of cold messaging, I looked for posts like “Can anyone recommend a tool for…” or “I’m frustrated with [competitor]” and provided genuine assistance.
- Approaching with help rather than a sales pitch. My initial message usually addressed their question in detail. Only after I provided value did I mention, “I actually created a tool that might assist you…”
What Didn’t Work:
- Generic cold outreach
- No one was interested in my “revolutionary AI platform” pitches.
- Waiting for SEO.html" target="_blank">SEO to kick in. With a new domain and competitive keywords, that approach takes months or even years to yield results.
- Attempting to cater to everyone. Early iterations included features that nobody asked for.
The “Ready-to-Buy” Framework I Created
The key discovery: Focus exclusively on individuals who are:
- Actively searching for solutions
- Frustrated with current options
- Seeking recommendations
These leads convert at 5-10 times the rate of cold prospects because they are already ready to buy.
Key Takeaways for Fellow Founders
- Address a specific pain point
- Focus on doing ONE thing exceptionally well
- Utilize tools and technologies you are already comfortable with. By doing so, I was able to launch my MVP in just a few days instead of months.
- Manual outreach is more scalable than you think
- Start charging immediately. I introduced a paid plan from day one, rather than deferring monetization.
I hope this information proves valuable to someone. Feel free to reach out with any questions—I’m here to help!
2 Comments
bdadmin
Thank you for sharing your insights and experiences! It’s refreshing to see someone openly discuss the struggles and setbacks that often come with entrepreneurship. Your journey resonates with many of us who have faced similar challenges.
The emphasis you place on validating ideas before building is crucial. Far too often, we get caught up in our own visions or perceived needs without confirming that there’s a real market demand. Your approach of engaging with potential customers who are actively seeking solutions is a game-changer, and it’s a clever way to build meaningful connections rather than just treating outreach as a numbers game.
I appreciate the “Ready-to-Buy” framework you developed and the focus on specific pain points. It’s a poignant reminder that being overly ambitious with features or trying to cater to everyone can dilute our offerings. Simplicity can indeed be powerful!
Also, the advice about charging from day one is something I personally value. It forces clarity in your offering and often leads to better refinement of your product based on real user feedback.
Thanks again for sharing such practical advice! Your lessons are not just inspiring, but also provide a solid roadmap for anyone looking to make their ideas a reality. Looking forward to hearing more about your journey and successes!
bdadmin
Thank you for sharing your insightful journey! Your experience is a powerful reminder that entrepreneurial success often hinges not just on the effort we put into product development, but also on understanding our target audience.
I particularly resonate with your emphasis on validating ideas before jumping into development. It’s so easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new concept and overlook the critical step of market research. Engaging with potential users and identifying their pain points, as you did, can provide invaluable insights that inform not only the product features but also the marketing strategy.
Moreover, your mention of focusing on a single pain point and doing one thing exceptionally well is a crucial takeaway. In a world flooded with options, simplicity and clarity can be your biggest allies.
For anyone struggling with similar issues, it might also be beneficial to consider creating a feedback loop that actively involves early users in the development process. This not only helps in refining the product but also fosters a sense of community and loyalty.
Lastly, I love your approach to charging immediately; demonstrating value upfront can boost confidence in potential customers and accelerate the validation process. Thank you for sharing your experiences, and I hope many more find inspiration in your story!