Prepare to launch
How can you learn from your first customers?
Ask existing customers or industry contacts who already deal with the problem to try the first version.
By Chase Poirier · TheShop.ai
Choose people who already experience the problem
Look for customers or peers who have recently dealt with the task the product is meant to help. They do not need to represent every future user. They need a real reason to try the first version.
A large public audience is not a prerequisite. A small group you can speak with directly can give you useful feedback. After they try it, you’ll still need to find out whether they would pay.
Give the test a specific purpose
Decide what you want to learn before inviting people. Can they complete the main task? Does the product fit their process? Do they return when the need comes up again?
Agree how long the test runs, what access people receive, and how feedback will be collected. If money is involved, make the terms clear. Someone willing to try a free tool may still be unwilling to pay for it.
Observe the work, then ask about it
Let someone attempt the main task. Notice where they pause, misunderstand something, or need an explanation. Those moments can reveal gaps in the product or onboarding.
Ask what they expected and how they handled the same task before. A compliment is encouraging. Watching them use the product tells you whether it helps and what it replaces in their day.
Check what your results tell you
Interest, demo requests, signups, useful activity, and payment answer different questions. A waitlist shows interest. It does not establish that the product is useful or that people will pay.
Choose what you need to learn at this stage. A few useful observations can help you decide what to change; a dashboard full of activity may not.
Know who handles which part
You know the people and the problem. Your product partner helps prepare the test, signup, and onboarding, then handles the product issues and agreed improvements.
You lead sales and customer relationships. Paid acquisition, ongoing marketing campaigns, and other growth services are agreed separately. A product that is ready for customers still needs people willing to buy it.
See the work behind the guide
The product partnership behind Directorly