How can I pivot my startup?

Re:How can I pivot my startup? by bdfh42 on Monday January 20, 2014 @01:02PM (#7090842)

The classic lean startup approach is to pivot in response to feedback from potential customers. You need to talk to your target customer group. This is not easy (particularly if like me you find that sort of thing difficult) but you have to do it. Call them on the phone - email will not work. What you are trying to find out is "will you pay for this service?".

If not, consider a pivot. But here again you have to do your market research. Again you have to talk to potential customers and find out if they are interested, how they would like to access the service and how much they might pay for it.

There is no way you can avoid this. Your pivot has to be positive or you are just wasting your time.

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Re:How can I pivot my startup? by whichdan on Monday January 20, 2014 @01:21PM (#7090962)

What sort of response do you think I should be looking for from cold calling? Any time I hear stats like "only 1-3% of calls will lead anywhere" it seems like a massive time-sink. But maybe that's unavoidable?

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Re:How can I pivot my startup? by bdfh42 on Monday January 20, 2014 @02:04PM (#7091186)

The key here is not to sell but do research. Perhaps you might devise a short questionnaire to research the general area addressed by your startup idea within the context of your potential customer's business.

You will find that people are surprisingly helpful if you are clear about what you are doing and clear that this is not just a disguised sales pitch.

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Re:How can I pivot my startup? by whichdan on Monday January 20, 2014 @02:12PM (#7091228)

That's a really interesting way of looking at it, thanks. I've always seen it as sales-or-nothin'. I'll see if I can come up with some solid questions to ask.

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