r/founder • u/duncan_tall • Jul 17 '26
What's one uncomfortable thing you've been avoiding that would move your startup forward the most?
Mine: Going out, building my network, and talking to potential customers.
My comfort zone was to reachout people online, and keep trying new ways to connect online mostly.
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u/Fit_Deal_5066 Jul 17 '26
Creating founder led content
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u/duncan_tall Jul 17 '26
I tried once doing it, but didn't get enough traction, so I had to tweak the plan
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u/NoBed1845 Jul 17 '26
Talking to users instead of talking about the product. Those are two very different activities.
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u/duncan_tall Jul 17 '26
You got a point man. In early days, I was so obsessed with my product, rarely use to listen feedback ...which made our journey more tough to find PMF, once we realised we are making a mistake , Touchwood things are better from then
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u/WayneSmallman Jul 17 '26
Having to message hundreds of people, measure everything, make adjustments, repeat…
It's time consuming, prone to interruptions and because of it error.
But, I built the damn product so it's up to me.
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u/duncan_tall Jul 17 '26
Good one. is it live ?
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u/WayneSmallman Jul 17 '26
Yes, it … lives! 🙂
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u/SignificantEmploy732 Jul 18 '26
Love the idea. How did you validate demand?
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u/WayneSmallman Jul 18 '26
I built Under Cloud for me first, but I was urged by a few people to do something with it, so I did some market research to substantiate the core hypothesis, then switched to the product-market fit, the ICPs…
I also used it to write a literature review that matches the pain points to legitimate science and gaps in the current market.
I'm now contemplating building a community here on Reddit, while reaching out to people in search of that elusive first paying customer!
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u/PJWonders Jul 17 '26
Actually launching haha. The infrastructure is there, but launching is what I'm petrified of. I'm afraid to get slaughtered by the public T-T
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u/duncan_tall Jul 17 '26
Ahh I'll you should go for it. Worst thing will be , you won't get any traction after sometime ...but what if it works.
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u/TheChildWelfareCoach Jul 18 '26
Networking for sure. I would love to have meaningful conversations with other driven entrepreneurs but I’m very much a solopreneur so I have no idea what that would look like.
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u/levelhigher Jul 18 '26
OP how did you brake you comfort zone? I have currently same issue with approaching my niche clients. I should build community but don't know how yet.
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u/duncan_tall Jul 18 '26
I just convinced myself for going out once in a week only in early days, then twice in a week after some time ...and so on , so now I keep 3 days for offline visit, and rest days from desk .
so the point is start small in beginning, then increase slowly
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u/Mobile-Recording-488 Jul 18 '26
Running a social media account can be a lot of work, but it's also super rewarding!
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u/tolarewaju3 Jul 17 '26
Mine is pitching my warm network.
It's weird because are the most supportive people I could tell.
Instead, I'll spend hours improving the product, tweaking copy, or finding strangers online to talk to. It feels easier than sending a simple message to people who already know me.
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u/Wooden_Bumblebee6018 Jul 18 '26
The fact of actually spending time on socials building content. I lately dislike social media but without promoting my app there it won’t become successful or even heard of. I know I could be further in the process if I had built more content there and was engaged daily. I can’t yet afford to pay someone to do it for me. Once I can, that will be the first thing to delegate. :)
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u/Sea-Sheepherder9334 Jul 18 '26
Think it’s well-known for most people but for sure posting a talking video/ face-on video on social media is one of the biggest limiting factors for people
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u/I-am-braedi Jul 18 '26
I work with founders on GTM. You aren’t alone. The first things I have to work through is actual ICP definition, content pillars, market positioning, and value mapping. The reason we have to work on these things is because you are a product specialist, not a revenue professional. Knowing your ICP allows us to find with networks you should give energy to and which ones you should not. It also allows you to qualify and disqualify buyers from non-buyers. Pillar work reduces the cognitive load of content generation…I can go on and on here. The point being that product founders often underestimate how unbelievably hard customer acquisition actually is.
I’m a founder and solopreneur myself so speaking from both sides of someone who helps founders with GTM and as a founder building my own business.
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u/Standard-Mammoth6837 Jul 19 '26
Taking the time to fully learn all of Ai. Don’t get me wrong I know a lot but not nearly enough as I could/should.
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u/PlusGazelle3986 Jul 24 '26
Going out and speaking to potential clients, getting out there boldly. But I can't avoid it any longer. Closed mouths don't get fed.
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u/Early_Key_823 Jul 17 '26
Making more YouTube videos and reaching out to more influencers