Day #13 ✅

Here is how it went

Author

Neo Elsher
March 13, 2023

We’re 13 days into the challenge.

Here is a recap of how things have been so far:

  • Started by asking ChatGPT niche ideas, product ideas, and ways to build product.

  • ChatGPT ended up deciding on building a project management tool for agencies that work with freelancers.

  • I built the tool using Notion, created a landing page using Carrd, and set up payments using Paypal.

  • After 1000 DMs sent on Twitter, 100+ pitches, and no conversions I talked to my good friend Anthony Castrio.

    • He suggested that there was a Product Market Fit problem and it would be smart to do user interviews to fix it

That is everything that has happened so far.

In the last 2 days, I sent 900+ DMs to business owners that I could interview.

The goal was to hear about problems they face while working on projects with freelancers.

Here was the planned conversation flow:

Some people requested to be asked questions through text, here are some responses I received from them.

These are all replies to the question “How has your experience been hiring, working with, and paying freelancers so far? What was good, bad, and frustrating?”

Here is the thing.

I think that question was a mistake.

I should have been asking “Describe, in detail, your process of hiring, onboarding, working with, and paying freelancers.”

This kind of question would allow me to listen for specific complains about parts of their process.

The question of “How has your experience been” solicits somewhat of a generic detail that lacks detail.

When they are forced to describe their process, there is more detail given and more opportunities to hear about complains in a natural way.

Although I am noticing a lack of a pain point from the conversations so far.

I normally had two calls scheduled for today but one of them got canceled last minute and the other guy just didn’t show up.

I have two more calls scheduled for this week.

If I keep noticing lack of problems, I’m going to switch the niche.

I read this guide recently to get better at user interviews:

Here were some of my key take-aways:

  • Don't describe your idea in detail or ask leading questions like "Would you use this?"

  • People on social media are often hyperbolic about their problems and needs since it's a great place to rant.

  • While doing user interviews, extract language people are using while describing their pain points to use in your landing page or copy

    • For example, if customers say “What we don’t like about existing solutions is the lack of professionalism. The interface looks like it’s been drawn by a five-year-old kid”.

    • Then your landing page should contain the phrase “professionally-looking interface” because that’s what your customers are looking for.

  • Don't ask people if they would use or buy your product.

    • ”Do you like it?”

    • “Would you buy it?”

    • “Do you think it can be useful for someone like you?”

  • Don't ask them how much they would pay for a solution (or pay someone for a solution)

  • Instead, ask them to describe their existing process and way of solving the problem you think they have.

  • Also ask them to walk you through their thinking process and way they look for a solution.

  • Ask about what “work around” have they found to deal with inconveniences they see in the existing tools.

  • Don't ask straightforward questions about their problems or pains

    • “What are your existing problems?” Or “What do you feel stuck at?”

  • People aren't very good at identifying their problems. That is why psychologists exist.

  • Ask about their current emotions, reactions, and workflows. Never ask about future or probable action.

  • They recommend having between 20~30 interviews for statistically significant results

  • If there is significant neative pattern (when there is no pain point or problem) where everyone is saying the same thing, you can also end it at 10

  • If you get 50/50 or 60/40 split in opinions it probably means that you have identified the wrong segment — it’s too wide, customers show ambiguous behavior, you have to narrow down your pool or participants

  • If you see repeating quotes, use it on your landing page and copy

  • Place customer perception of problem on Eisenhower Matrix after each interview

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