If I Had To Start Over, Here's 3 Steps I'd Take to $1M+ Revenue

[@MicroConf]

The Stair Step Approach to Bootstrapping: www.microconf.com/stairstep

[@aliabdaal]

This is so useful 🎉

[@huwfulcher]

This video is absolute gold! It never occurred to me to see building smaller add-ons as a way to gain experience and build up to building an actual SaaS. I've had ideas in the past that I never get off the ground with because I'm too nervous/unsure on how to do all the things necessary apart from development.

[@MicroConf]

Glad you found value here! Thanks for watching.

[@madferretx]

Like your videos. I'm up to 40k MRR in 4th year now. and I'm in the process of building another app. bootstrapped with only 2 founders

[@MicroConf]

Nice work!

[@mukundagujjar]

What domain do you feel are good for building products?

[@captnoplan3926]

Great content - as always! P.S not sure those Mr Beast style facial expressions on the thumbnail / preview fit your brand....

[@zacharyrgonzales]

These videos are great!!

[@mackintoshed]

Hope I'm not late to the party! I'm gonna start and try this one now.

[@RobNorback]

Great video. Personally didn’t mind the music. Maybe a little distracting. I’ve done step 1 and 2 with small apps on the App Store. Curious if you have thoughts on what SaaS app to pursue with step 3. I know I’ve got to stick with it for a long time so I better like it!

[@MicroConf]

Hey Rob, I can’t decide that for you, but you may consider running your ideas through my 5 P.M. Idea Evaluation Framework. Check it out in this episode of Startups For The Rest of Us: www.startupsfortherestofus.com/episodes/episode-628-the-5-p-m-idea-validation-framework

[@dang8807]

the difficult thing is finding a niche within each of these ecosystems, it can be hyper-competitive so it cuts both ways. It simplifies but that also lowers the barrier to entry, and it also restricts you to single features, then you're playing a feature war with others instead of differentiating yourself through your complete control of your positioning in a market.

[@voodoocobblestone8320]

Wow... This makes so much sence. I'm working on step 2 as I have a shopify app that can't grow past 3k-4k a month.

[@MicroConf]

Thanks for watching.

[@davidlakvold8380]

Love this content. Wise words from experience is excessively valuable. I've purchased two of the books. I'm Reading them and find them great.

[@MicroConf]

Wonderful! Thank you.

[@kaynesheenan]

Fantastic video, Rob!

[@MicroConf]

Thanks!

[@wisemintapp]

Pragmatic and transparent. Well done.

[@MicroConf]

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

[@eyalgoren]

This is a great video. Thanks Rob.

[@MicroConf]

Thank you, Eyal.

[@jdrago999]

Great advice! Thanks for sharing your perspective.

[@MicroConf]

My pleasure!

[@baltin80]

hey Rob, I like your content but I think you need to rewrite or update your book Start Small, Stay Small. Some links don't work and I believe some beliefs related to podcasts has been changed. Cheers, Burak

[@veganboss93]

Hey Rob, love your content! But do you think building plugins is still valid in 2024? I mean, isn't it almost everywhere very (over-)saturated? And how to market something in a marketplace?

[@maksymriabov1356]

Hey, absolutely interesting video, I've never thought about launching something small first. The music is distracting, though. Make it something very silent or remove it entirely. The main point of your vids isn't the entartainment, it's the information ;)

[@cassiojp]

You're a legend man

[@MicroConf]

Thanks, Cassio.

[@bobcekaymusic]

I could hug you right now

[@sound_supply]

no more music throughout pls

[@michaelbreazeale8652]

Yea it’s a bit too loud. May be ok if it was further in the background.

[@joandrodriguez]

I watch YT videos at 2x speed and the backgroud music sounded like some deranged rave techno…

[@adam23sp]

@Sean if you couldn’t finish the video you will not have what it takes to build a successful product 😂

[@RobinHagg]

Yes. Please.

[@Shad0wMonkey5]

No I like the music in the background keeps me engaged

[@cloogshicer]

Can you please elaborate on step 1? I'd love a detailed step by step guide only on step 1.

[@josephaugustin5103]

I think the list of Saas marketplaces post he's linked to in the description - most of them should have detailed step-by-step guides on how to submit a plugin or add-on to those marketplaces. But I agree, I would love to know how Rob would go about deciding on what to create in those marketplaces, and if he would rely on organic search within those marketplaces, or do some external marketing.

[@tarek7451]

What an incredible advice!

[@MicroConf]

Thank you, Tarek.

[@PetrPopel]

thanks Rob

[@bramburn]

hi Rob, I have a question or dillema, I've been working on a SAAS project, I've been doing the interviews, etc... and I was able to lock down the research and their pains. I am now working on prototyping the solution. Following this video, would you suggest I start small with a side-project say a Wordpress plugin rather than continuing with the main saas project to get my feet wet or should I plough through with the main saas? It looks like the small project would be a 5-6 months activity, whereas the main saas project is another 1-2 years to go.

[@MicroConf]

Hi Bhavesh, yes, I’d consider tackling a smaller project, and working the stair step approach laid out in this video.

[@adam23sp]

Hey Rob, after attempting to jump to step 3 with two of my projects and still making $0 ARR, I am going to use this plan and restart with step 1. The reason I’ve been reluctant to start with building in an App Store is because I’m not a user of any of these products (WP, Shopify, Salesforce, etc). Is being a user a requirement of building one of these add ons?

[@MicroConf]

While not a requirement, it may prove helpful. You might pick an marketplace/app store that you have some interest in. Here’s a link to a blog post with 70 marketplaces that you might consider: rocketgems.com/blog/saas-marketplaces/

[@ronylussari]

Lrwtty interesting..However, as a non technical guy, Im not sure how to inplement this. I coukd build a website and use low code tools to start a business. However, crearing plugins are way out of my league. Any tips?

[@MicroConf]

I’d start by finding the problem to solve. You can use your low-code and website skills to help test the market. Eventually you would need to find someone to build the app, so finding a technical co-founder would be a priority if I were you.

[@RankedRyan]

Where can you go to purchase an alpha version of a software to get started?

[@MicroConf]

I think you are asking where to buy early stage SaaS businesses. If so, I would look to acquire.com (formally MicroAcquire), Quietlight.com, FE International, and perhaps Flippa.

[@DefinitelyNotAMachineCultist]

Teach me your ways, sensei…

[@ekkamailax]

would be cool if you had a bonsai tree in the background

[@archiee1337]

Music was great! ;))

[@inconvenientTruther]

How long should each step take?

[@MicroConf]

There’s no set time frame on these steps. It largely comes down to the idea, target market, and execution for each of the businesses. I’ve seen bootstrapped founders launch with the good idea at the right time, and grow exceptionally quickly. Other founders have spent years working to find traction on their ideas.

[@pbpb5327]

Could not finish the video. Love your content usually but the music was just driving me nuts.

[@hustlin_heev]

say it louder for the people in teh back!

[@oliviercote1564]

Lose the background music :)

[@internetkids5813]

Anyone here in the crypto space? Building a Saas product for crypto projects.

[@erikfiala]

This video's editing is pretty bad. The camera zoom in/out randomly, the second angled camera is just unnecessary, and the music truly didn't help focusing on the content. :(