GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

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

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

The best founders learn directly from their users throughout the lifetime of their company, ensuring they stay honest and informed about their product's impact.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Most founders fail to build personal connections with their users, often hiding behind anonymous emails instead of reaching out directly.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

When reaching out to potential users, don't hesitate to contact people outside your network, as they may provide more honest feedback.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

It's important to understand the motivations behind why companies care about their carbon emissions and who within the company is most concerned about it.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

In outreach messages, introduce yourself and briefly describe your project, then request a short call to discuss further.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

When interviewing potential customers, it's crucial to conduct these interviews over video calls or in person to gain deeper insights than through surveys.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

During customer interviews, avoid introducing your idea too early to prevent biasing their responses; your role is to listen and learn.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

To effectively interview potential customers, ask open-ended follow-up questions that encourage them to share their problems and experiences.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Asking specific questions about how potential customers currently handle a problem can reveal valuable insights into their needs and challenges, and understanding user motivation is critical for solving their problems effectively.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

It's essential to observe users' actual behavior during interviews, not just listen to what they say.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Avoid asking yes or no questions during user interviews; instead, encourage users to provide detailed examples and explanations.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

When interviewing users, focus on understanding their problems rather than jumping to solutions.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Users often suggest features that may not address their actual problems; your role is to identify the core issues they face.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

After conducting user interviews, organize your notes into categories to identify the most pressing problems.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

To determine if a problem is valuable, assess whether people are willing to pay for existing solutions in the market.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Evaluate how easy it is to sell to your target audience, as some groups are more resistant to change than others.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

When testing an MVP prototype, allow users to explore it without guidance to gain genuine insights into their experience.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Keep users involved throughout the development process by creating communication channels like Slack or WhatsApp groups.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

Engaging users in feedback loops builds trust and shows that you value their input in the product development process.

GA

Gustaf Alströmer

12/02/22

@ Y Combinator

The best founders continuously engage with their users to refine their product and ensure it meets real needs.

How To Talk To Users | Startup School

Takeaways