It depends on what you mean by fail!

I only help software startup founders - not all founders.

I believe that there's no excuse for these founders to fail to get a product to market, if they have the funding to do it of course. Even then, there's a lot founders can do (for free!) to maximise the chance of getting funding.

That said, I see many founders DO fail to get to market - I'm on a mission to try to prevent this!

Now if you mean fail to make a profit, that's a different story. Obviously one of the first thing's founders should do is talk to prospective customers and identify a pain/problem that they are willing to pay for. That's a start but you never really know until people actually pay (and even then can you find enough of them?) so you should get to MVP as quickly and cheaply as possible (without compromising too much on quality). I show founders how to do that.

I believe that the industry standard is 90% of startups failing within the first year of launch. However, the more founders do things properly- including, importantly, getting help - I believe this number can be reduced.

Of my 21 products, I think that about 7 were very profitable (so 33% success for me which I count as a win). And I learned TONS from my 'failures'.

If you mean in Clarity then contact support from your profile dropdown.

If you mean in a product you are creating (as this question if filed under 'Startup Consulting') then most definitely yes.

As this is a complex area when requirements gathering, I setting up a call with me. I help software startups from idea to launch and beyond in a number of ways.

Kind regards
Stuart - Software Startup Coach

Yes! As this is filed under 'Marketing' I assume you mean to prospective clients and not within Clarity.

Use Zoom or Google Meet (I don't like Teams). If you have more sophisticated needs that just presenting yourself/slides/screen then there are more sophisticated tools.

If you are B2B and it's a public session, create a LinkedIn event from a company page to collect email addresses (you can use Zapier to act on registrations (e.g. add to your mailing list or a spreadsheet for example)).

Make sure you record it (letting attendees know).

I hope that helps. Setup a call with me if you need to discuss further.

Kind regards
Stuart - Software Startup Coach

Hi Valentin,

Have you considered splitting the research phase and the development phase? You can quote a fixed amount for the research phase (I'm sure you can estimate this in weeks and take the hit if you go over). You can say to the client that you will quote the development once the research phase is over.

Plus, they can take the research phase output to other providers if you do not or cannot do the work or the quote is too much.

Call me to discuss further if it helps.

Kind regards
Stuart

Hi,

I help early stage startups with these kinds of decisions, as well as how to get the product designed, built & launched (see https://softwarestartupcoach.com/).

I've done this with many startups and help in various different ways depending on your needs (e.g. a training course/program, ad-hoc advising, an academy for founders etc.).

The first thing I would say is please don't just approach development providers (wherever they are) until you have done your preparation (there's a lot here so best to call me to discuss in detail).

In summary, understand your business and technology requirements first.

I look forward to speaking & helping you progress.

Kind regards
Stuart

Hi,

Each of these two has pros and cons.

1) Why would suppliers take the time to do this unless you can guarantee them sales? If you go this route, your solution requires more complexity (UI for suppliers etc.) but means you will be more scalable.

20 This is a big burden on you but you are not relying on suppliers.

Is there a way you can automate the listing of product from integration with suppliers' systems?

Your customers don't care about your back-office processes - only what products you offer and your quality of service.

Also, how your products are listed on your site (manual entry from you, the supplier, auto entry by an integration etc.) is separate from how you make the purchase (indirectly as you suggest or directly from the supplier's systems.

Happy to have a call to discuss technical options which can then be considered and researched which best meet business requirements.

Kind regards
Stuart

Hi,

I have helped many startups and it is true that you should research an idea - well done for this - not everyone does it or does it well enough.

Do you start with the problem you are trying to solve (or pain or need or desire)? It depends of course if you are looking at B2C or B2B solutions but if B2B, have you tried finding one or people with the need? If you can get them to commit to purchasing your solution early then this is a good sign and can fund development. Development of product is then a large undertaking itself but totally doable with the right help.

This is a very big area for discussion and I certainly cannot cover everything here!

Check out my video on how to turn your idea into a startup at https://softwarestartupcoach.com/

Happy to have a call to discuss further.

Regards
Stuart

Hi,

I think it is a great idea. There are many conferences I'd like to go to but can't because of time (and COVID obviously). Having a person to go for me is a good second place.

You should test the idea though before committing a lot of time and money. This can be done with existing apps to find customers, book time/guides and do the video call.

Feel free to give me a call and we can discuss further.

I specialise in helping founders get their ideas off the ground.

Kind regards

Stuart

Hi,

Helping founders (experienced and inexperienced alike) to take a concept and get it off the ground is exactly what I do.

Please arrange a call with me and we can discuss how I can help.

Kind regards

Stuart

Hi,

If you are asking how to do it technically then you can use any of the web page development services (e.g. Wix) and add a form that is linked to a list service (e.g. MailChimp).

If you are asking how to attract potential customers and persuade them to submit the form then there are a number of things to try.

To attract them, you can use paid ads or organic (e.g. Facebook/YouTube/Instagram text/video posts given that this is B2C). The ads/posts must address users' pain/need/desire and show that you will solve this. Ideally, offer some value (useful insight etc.) in the ad/post to show you really can solve it.

To persuade them to sign up, again, the page should remind them of the pain/need/desire and how you can solve and ideally offer immediate value (e.g. white paper) when they register (as well as future promise of an app they might have to pay for).

Also, if you can think of a way of giving additional value for referrals that will help.

Kind regards

Stuart