From b96c2b639ab93c3efc0de7f13bef48ebdc6c0b31 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: pablo Date: Sun, 27 Jan 2013 01:50:45 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] finished. --- need_versus_want.md | 57 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++- 1 file changed, 56 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/need_versus_want.md b/need_versus_want.md index b38be6f..7e48553 100644 --- a/need_versus_want.md +++ b/need_versus_want.md @@ -43,4 +43,59 @@ He understood what people wanted. ##How to build products people want. -This is +Keep your eyes open. Pay attention. The biggest startup successes have happened +due to an intrinsic understanding of markets. Dropbox understood people wanted their files available at all moments. +Google understood people needed a beter way to get information. Facebook knew people wanted to showcase their +social life (and thus status). Ebay knew people wanted to sell their old stuff to cash in. + +Look for things people want by listening to what people say, do, and buy. Marketing +Bits was born after people kept asking me for advice through email. +People have questions about marketing. They need answers. Marketing Bits is +how I'm addressing that need in a manner that is beneficial to all involved. +Who knew a marketing newsletter aimed at startups and programmers would enjoy such +early success? I did. That is why you are reading these very same words. + +Is there a systemized approach to building what people want? Yes there is. + +1. Pick a product to research. +2. Talk to people about it. Pay attention to they way they use it. How, why, and when are important questions to ask. +3. Follow sales numbers if they are available. +4. Build an MVP of a copy if the product with the features people have shown to want. Test the results. Iterate. + +Notice that building new products is not really focused here. I'm not a big fan of +building brand new products. Its a huge gamble. I believe in innovation through iteration. +Let's improve what's out there right now. Over time it will end up being a whole new product anyways. +Why gamble? + + Pioneers gets arrows on their backs. + +Remember that people who set out to build *new and awesome* products have +to first convince the world they want it. I'd rather have you find out what they +want and build it for them. + +##But people do need X product. + +Yes. People do need things. But people are not *rational*. Stop treating them as +if they were. Smart people face this very same issue. For them a product has to be +logical. People must need it or else it is a waste of time. + +Stop. People are not rational. If they were they would not commemorative NASCAR plates on QVC (for $60!). +I'm not saying that you should not build things pepole need, but find out which +product they want and *need*. + +One such product is Basecamp. A completely boring product. It is a computer program +you use to keep track of stuff. Boring. But it works amazingly well. So well that +people who use it realize they want *and* need this product. That boring product +quickly became part of their lives. They cannot live without it. So much that +free alternatives have been created for people too cheap to pay for it. Imagine that.[1] + +##But I already built a product I thought people needed. + +Tough luck. I fell for that idea many times. Thought people wanted X product, but +it proved to be wrong. Try and iterate the product into something they want. +Other wise just scrape it. Its easier to start with something that already works +than trying to make something work. + +[1]37Signals don't get mad. I love Basecamp. But next to an iPod, Basecamp is boring. No harm intended. + +Don't miss the next Marketing Bits volume. Click here to request your free subscription. No spam. All securely handled by Mail Chimp.