1006
My friend stopped me from building and forced me to sell first. He was right, this is brutal
r/Entrepreneur
7/21/2025
Content Summary
The post discusses the challenges of starting a business with no existing audience and the importance of validating product ideas before building. The author's friend advised selling the idea first, which the author found difficult due to lack of followers and strict community rules. Comments suggest various strategies like user research, direct outreach, and leveraging social media for initial customer acquisition.
Opinion Analysis
The mainstream opinion supports the idea of validating product ideas through direct customer conversations and user research before building. There is a consensus on the importance of solving real customer problems and building relationships through personal outreach. Some debate exists on the effectiveness of different marketing channels, with some advocating for targeted ads and others for content marketing and community building.
SAAS TOOLS
| SaaS | URL | Category | Features/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Not mentioned in the post | Not mentioned in the post | Not mentioned in the post | Not mentioned in the post |
USER NEEDS
Pain Points:
- Lack of an existing audience
- Difficulty in reaching potential customers without appearing spammy
- Challenges in validating product ideas before building
Problems to Solve:
- Building a product that meets real customer needs
- Generating initial sales and customer feedback
- Finding effective marketing channels for product promotion
Potential Solutions:
- Conducting user research and direct outreach
- Utilizing social media and online communities strategically
- Building a waitlist and gathering early interest
GROWTH FACTORS
Effective Strategies:
- Validate product ideas through direct customer conversations
- Focus on solving real customer problems before building
- Use targeted advertising and content marketing
Marketing & Acquisition:
- Engage in online communities and forums
- Leverage LinkedIn for B2B outreach
- Use Facebook and Google ads for targeted campaigns
Monetization & Product:
- Develop a clear value proposition
- Test pricing models with early customers
- Continuously iterate based on customer feedback
User Engagement:
- Build relationships through personal outreach
- Create content that addresses customer pain points
- Foster a community around the product