Hello there
This is the #4 Issue of Weekly Dan.
Welcome to 23 new people who have joined this week. You are nice.
Every Friday, I share 5 golden nuggets with you:
1 personal insight
1 marketing tactic
1 product for inspiration
1 thought-provoking question
1 great resource
Let’s get going.
Personal insight
I am the marketing guy.
I believe every week should be a marketing week, and distribution is more important than having a “good” product.
But here is the thing.
Sometimes you need to build more features.
Yes, you’ve heard it right. Let me explain.
When people discover your product, they already have an existing solution. It can be a technological competitor or a traditional way of solving the problem (e.g., talking with friends).
Before hitting the CTA button, they ask themselves:
Is value from this product outweight switching costs?
Switching costs include money, emotions, and time.
If the difference between the value and switching costs is too thin, your customers will view it as a risk and postpone the decision.
Building the right features can increase the value. Doing the proper marketing can multiply the perceived value.
But marketing can’t do all of the work. For example, if your product value is low, no marketing will save it (0 x 1000 = 0).
That’s why you need to build features that skyrocket the value.
Especially in the recession when people try to cut their spending and buy only essential products.
Bottom line.
You need to increase the difference between perceived value and switching costs
Perceived value = features x marketing
Building features is a great thing to do as long as it increases the value (footer animation doesn’t)
Go on, build features. You have my permission 🤝
Marketing tactic
If you take the content marketing game seriously, you’ve faced this problem.
Creating new content every day is tiring as hell.
Twitter, Reddit, Indie Hackers, Product Hunt Discussions, Linkedin, Newsletter.
But do you really need to do it?
Try repackaging your content instead.
Here is a quick story.
We have a Landing Page Checklist in MakerBox Roasting
I’ve run a Twitter Giveaway with this checklist (40K impressions)
I’ve repackaged it in the article in MakerBox Blog (patiently waiting for SEO)
I’ve published the link to the article on Indie Hackers (180 clicks)
I’ve posted this article as a Twitter Thread (4K impressions)
Sveta posted this article on Product Discussions (35 upvotes)
I’ve posted it on r/GrowthHacking and got banned 😂
I spent 2 hours working on this checklist. And now I got so much traffic from it.
Don’t create more content. Distribute more.
Product for inspiration
Do you like gradient as much as I do?
I doubt it.
But if there is a product that can match this feeling, this is Typedream.
Typedream is a no-code website builder for Startup Founders.
Here are 3 impressive things about their marketing that you should steal:
Leverage opinion leaders. If you are active on Twitter, you know Easlo, Harsh Makadia, and Michael Novotny. Typedream increases the trust with their testimonials.
Testimonials from regular users are vital. But try adding reviews from your niche opinion leaders. It will boost users’ confidence in your product.
Showcase your users. There are hundreds of landing pages on the Showcase page. It increases users’ desire to create their landing page.
Show what users can do with your product. Looking at the result is more visually appealing than reading about features.
Use your product. Typedream’s website is built, well, on Typedream. These guys know that “Eating your own dog food” is a powerful marketing approach.
Translate that your product is so good that you use it yourself. It boosts users’ trust more than statements like “our prodcut is user-friendly and easy-to-use”.
Typedream’s marketing is simple but powerful. Learn not to overcomplicate things.
Thought-provoking question
What do you understand about this industry that others don't get?
It’s pointless to build another to-do list. Especially if it’s no different from other solutions. Please don’t do it.
Instead, find a customer insight to stand out from the competition.
For example:
People with ADHD can’t use current solutions, and they need a special one
Freelancers with multiple projects have multiple to-dos and hate it
People feel guilt about not solving every task, which pushes them to abandon the app
You got the point.
Insight → Unique positioning → Great product
Here is the playbook to find your insight:
What is the problem with current solutions that no one talks about?
Can they easily implement this feature in the future?
How do you know it’s important for users?
Why are there no products that solve this problem?
How will customer behavior change in the future?
What long-term trends influence your target audience?
What new customer segments will appear in the future?
What will become more important for users when choosing a solution?
You are playing a risky game if you don’t have a clear insight.
Find it.
Great resource
What would you pick?
Great slides, but 0 value
Ugly slides, but tons of value
If you picked the second one, I have a keynote for you.
Check this video from Alex Hormozi.
It has a cheezy title, but it’s packed with insights for Indie Entrepreneurs.
How to stack skills to grow a business?
How to pick the right market to play on?
How to provide more value with your product?
Alex knows his stuff.
That’s it!
What was the best topic today?
Reply with your choice and I will double down on this format ❤️
Dan
Absolutely not a CTA
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