The Product was published on 16 September, 2026. You can view the original LinkedIn post by clicking here.
Any product can be sold, but that does not mean you should build it. If you are reading this, you are probably in one of these 3 stages:
- Researching an idea
- Developing your MVP
- Finished development and trying to get customers
Here is what I would do at each stage.
Researching an idea
Do not try to create a completely new category. Pick a category where products already exist and make money. That proves there is demand. For example:
- Want to build an email marketing tool? Look at ConvertKit, Mailchimp, and Beehiiv.
- Want to build a project management tool? Look at Linear, Asana, and ClickUp.
- Want to build an invoicing tool? Look at Stripe, FreshBooks, and Wave.
You do not need to invent a new category. Find an existing problem, then build a better or more focused solution.
Developing your MVP
Look at the alternatives before you build. Your product should have at least one clear advantage. For example:
- The alternative is expensive -> make yours cheaper.
- The alternative is complicated -> make yours simpler.
- The alternative is built for everyone -> build specifically for one niche.
- The alternative takes 10 steps -> make it take 2 steps.
- The alternative is missing an important feature -> build that feature.
If you cannot explain why someone should choose your product instead of an existing alternative, you probably need to rethink the product.
Your product is built
Stop adding features. Look at how your competitors get customers. Study:
- Their landing pages
- Their pricing
- Their positioning
- Their content
- Their ads
- Their social media
- Their free tools
- Their email marketing
- Their onboarding
Then use the strategies that already work in your market. You do not need to invent a new way to market your product.
Focus on the first customers
Your goal is not $10K MRR. Your goal is not $100K MRR. Your first goal is 1 customer, then 10 customers. Once you have 10 customers, you will have real data. You will start to understand:
- Who actually wants your product
- Why they buy it
- Where they found you
- What messaging works
- What marketing channels work
- What does not work
Then you can improve the product and marketing based on real customers instead of guessing.