Founders often make the mistake of being afraid to charge for their product, fearing customer rejection. However, charging customers is one of the most effective ways to learn about your business, including whether users are willing to pay and which customer segments are most excited to pay.

Many founders think they need to offer their product for free to gain users, but it's often better to charge a price to gauge real interest.

I encourage founders to validate their ideas by talking to potential customers before writing any code or raising money.

Charging customers is essential for validating your product's value. Offering free trials can be tempting, but if customers aren't paying, they aren't truly customers. Resist the fear of rejection based on price.

If you're going to charge for a product, it needs to be self-serve and frictionless for users. Many startups fail because they rely too heavily on founder involvement for customer acquisition.

Founders often prioritize getting feedback over generating revenue, leading them to avoid charging for their product.

As a founder, you need to sell yourself, especially when your product is still in development. Making potential customers feel valued and showing your commitment to their success can lead to stronger relationships.

Great founders engage with future customers even before having a product, as this helps them understand user motivations and gather honest feedback.

Initially, don't stress about monetization; ensure the product experience is right before charging for it.