Tag: Manual outreach

Empathetic Messaging: 21 Ready to Use Templates

Shashank

Here are 20 templates for reaching out to someone expressing challenges that can possibly be resolved with the product you are building, while ensuring empathy:

  1. Hi [Name], I hope this message finds you well. I noticed that you mentioned struggling with [challenge] in your recent post. I’m working on a product that might be able to help, and I’d love to hear more about your experience with this issue.
  2. Hello [Name], I came across your comment on [platform] about [challenge], and it really resonated with me. I’m building a product that could potentially address this problem, and I would love to chat more about your thoughts on this topic.
  3. Hi [Name], I understand that [challenge] can be frustrating and time-consuming. I’m developing a solution that could make this process a lot easier, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
  4. Hello [Name], I saw your post about [challenge] and wanted to reach out. I’m building a product that I believe could really help with this issue, and I’d love to learn more about your experience.
  5. Hi [Name], I read your recent article on [platform] about [challenge], and I found it very informative. I’m currently developing a product that could potentially address this issue, and I’d love to get your thoughts on it.
  6. Hello [Name], I saw your tweet about [challenge], and I can definitely relate. I’m building a product that could potentially solve this problem, and I’d love to chat more about it if you’re interested.
  7. Hi [Name], I came across your profile and noticed that you work in [industry]. I’m developing a product that I believe could really benefit professionals in this field, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
  8. Hello [Name], I understand that [challenge] can be a major obstacle in [industry], and I’m developing a product that could potentially help. I’d love to get your input on this issue.
  9. Hi [Name], I noticed that you’re passionate about [topic], and I’m working on a product that could potentially make a big difference in this area. I’d love to hear your thoughts on how it could be improved.
  10. Hello [Name], I read your blog post about [challenge], and I found it really insightful. I’m building a product that I believe could address this issue, and I’d love to get your feedback on it.
  11. Hi [Name], I came across your comment on [platform] about [challenge], and I completely understand how frustrating it can be. I’m developing a product that could potentially help, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
  12. Hello [Name], I saw your post about [challenge], and I can definitely relate. I’m currently building a product that could potentially solve this problem, and I’d love to chat more about it.
  13. Hi [Name], I noticed that you’re a [job title] in [industry], and I’m building a product that I believe could really benefit professionals in this field. I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
  14. Hello [Name], I understand that [challenge] can be a major pain point for many people, and I’m developing a product that could potentially help. I’d love to get your input on this issue.
  15. Hi [Name], I read your recent post about [challenge], and I found it very informative. I’m building a product that could potentially address this problem, and I’d love to hear your thoughts on it.
  16. Hello [Name], I saw your tweet about [challenge], and I’m currently working on a product that could potentially solve this issue
  17. Hey [Name], I saw your post about [challenge]. I’m sorry you’re dealing with that – I can imagine how frustrating it must be. At [Company Name], we’re working on a product that can help solve that problem. Would you be interested in chatting more about it?
  18. Hi [Name], I read your comment on [social media platform] about [challenge]. We’ve been developing a solution for that exact problem at [Company Name]. I’d love to hear more about your experience and see if our product could be a good fit. Are you available for a quick chat sometime this week?
  19. Dear [Name], I came across your recent article on [publication/website] discussing the difficulties of [challenge]. I completely empathize with your situation – it’s a common issue that many people face. At [Company Name], we’ve developed a product that we think can help. Would you be open to discussing your experience and seeing if our solution could be a good fit for you?
  20. Hi [Name], I noticed that you recently posted about [challenge] and how it’s impacting your daily life. As someone who’s working on a product that could potentially help with this issue, I’d love to hear more about your experiences and see if there’s anything we can do to assist.
  21. Hey [Name], I saw your comment about [challenge] and how it’s been causing you some difficulties. I’m currently developing a product that could potentially offer a solution, and I’m very interested in hearing more about your thoughts and experiences related to this issue.

Customizing these templates can help personalize your outreach message and make it more effective in engaging with the recipient. The first step in customizing these templates is to research the individual and their specific situation or challenge. This can involve reviewing their social media profiles, blog posts, or other online presence to gain a better understanding of their needs and interests.

Once you have an understanding of their situation, you can tailor the message to speak directly to their concerns and highlight how your product or solution can specifically address their challenges. This could involve referencing their previous posts or comments and demonstrating how your product could provide a solution.

It’s also important to make the message personal and engaging. This can involve using the recipient’s name, adding a friendly greeting, or including a call to action to encourage a response. By customizing the message, you can increase the likelihood of a positive response and ultimately build a stronger relationship with the recipient.

Customizing these outreach messages shows that you’ve taken the time to research and understand the recipient’s specific situation, and that you’re not just sending a generic message to everyone. By addressing their specific challenge or interest, you show that you empathize with their situation and are genuinely interested in hearing their thoughts and experiences. This level of personalization can go a long way in building trust and rapport with the recipient, and can ultimately lead to a more productive and meaningful conversation. Ultimately, empathy helps us create more meaningful and impactful connections with the people we are trying to reach.

Our ebook, “Transcending Self-Interest: How Embracing a Higher Purpose Can Drive Successful Traction for Your Side-Project,” shows you how embracing empathy for your users or customers can help you achieve your goals. Download the ebook now to learn how prioritizing empathy can help you build a startup that resonates with your audience, drives traction, and creates real-world change.

Empathetic Outreach: Resolving User Challenges with Your Product

Shashank

In today’s world, it is essential to develop products that solve specific problems for potential customers. The key to achieving this is to empathize with your target audience, understand their challenges and work with them to develop a solution that is tailored to their needs. However, empathy can be a difficult thing to master, especially when trying to communicate with potential customers who are experiencing challenges that you believe your product can resolve. In this article, we will discuss tips to ensure empathy is in play when reaching out to a person expressing some challenges that can possibly be resolved with the product you are building.

  1. Listen actively The first step to ensuring empathy is in play when reaching out to a person with challenges that your product can resolve is to listen actively. Pay attention to their needs and concerns, and be open to their feedback. Try to put yourself in their shoes and imagine how you would feel in their situation.
  2. Show understanding When communicating with a potential customer who is experiencing challenges, it is important to show that you understand their situation. Acknowledge their concerns and let them know that you are listening. This can help to build trust and make them feel more comfortable sharing their experiences with you.
  3. Ask questions Asking questions can be an effective way to show empathy and gain a better understanding of your potential customer’s challenges. Ask open-ended questions that allow them to express themselves fully. This can help you to identify their pain points and develop a solution that addresses their specific needs.
  4. Avoid jumping to solutions When communicating with potential customers who are experiencing challenges, it can be tempting to jump straight to solutions. However, it is important to take the time to fully understand their needs and challenges before proposing a solution. This can help to ensure that the solution you develop is tailored to their needs and is more likely to be effective.
  5. Be patient It is important to be patient when communicating with potential customers who are experiencing challenges. They may need time to fully express themselves and may be hesitant to share their experiences with you. Be patient and let them know that you are there to help.
  6. Use positive language Using positive language can help to create a more empathetic and supportive environment. Avoid using negative language or language that could be perceived as critical. Instead, focus on the potential benefits of your product and how it can help to resolve their challenges.
  7. Offer support When communicating with potential customers who are experiencing challenges, it is important to offer support. Let them know that you are there to help and that you will work with them to develop a solution that meets their needs. This can help to build trust and make them feel more comfortable sharing their experiences with you.
  8. Follow up Following up with potential customers who are experiencing challenges can help to show that you care about their needs and are committed to helping them. It can also help to ensure that they feel heard and valued. Make sure to follow up regularly and let them know that you are there to help.

In conclusion, empathy is a crucial element in any customer interaction, especially when reaching out to a person expressing some challenges that can possibly be resolved with the product you are building. By actively listening, showing understanding, asking questions, avoiding jumping to solutions, being patient, using positive language, offering support, and following up, you can ensure that empathy is in play during your communication with potential customers. This can help you to develop a more effective solution that meets their specific needs and ensures their satisfaction with your product.

Want to create a side project that not only generates revenue, but also makes a meaningful impact on the lives of your users or customers? Our ebook, “Transcending Self-Interest: How Embracing a Higher Purpose Can Drive Successful Traction for Your Side-Project,” explains how cultivating empathy can help you build a startup that connects with your audience on a deeper level. Download the ebook today to discover how prioritizing purpose and empathy can set your side project apart and make it a success.

Target Locked: Strategies to Get in Front of Your Ideal Customers

Shashank

As a side project or new startup, one of the biggest challenges you’ll face is finding and reaching your ideal customers. Without a solid strategy to get in front of the right people, your business may struggle to gain traction and grow.

Fortunately, there are several effective strategies you can use to get in front of your ideal customers and start generating interest in your product or service. In this article, we’ll explore some of these strategies and provide you with actionable tips on how to implement them.

The question of “Who is your ideal customer?” may seem overwhelming, but defining your ideal customer is crucial to everything that follows. To help you define your ideal customer, check out the Ideal Customer Profile Framework provided in the link. If you do not know your ideal customer, then it will be difficult, if not impossible, to proceed from this point. Once you have defined your ideal customer’s demographics, psychographics, and characteristics, you can seek out more people or companies that fit your template. Your ideal customers can include your current customers (although not all your customers may be ideal), unconverted prospects, or even customers of your competitors.

  1. Start with your current customers

Your current customers are a valuable source of information for identifying your ideal customer. You can gather data on their age, gender, location, occupation, income, and other demographics through surveys, email, phone, or chat. Additionally, you can ask for feedback on your products or services, and what they like or dislike about them. This can help you identify areas for improvement or new product development.

Some examples of startups that leveraged talking with their current users to define their ideal customers:

  1. Slack – Slack initially launched as an internal communication tool for the gaming company Tiny Speck, but the founders realized that it had broader potential after seeing how much their users loved it. They then talked to more potential users to understand their needs and refined their ideal customer profile.
  2. Dropbox – Dropbox started by targeting individuals who wanted an easy way to store and share files, but after talking with their current users, they realized that businesses could also benefit from their product. They then shifted their focus to target small and medium-sized businesses.
  3. Airbnb – Airbnb founders talked with their early adopters and learned that they were using the platform to find unique and affordable accommodations when traveling for events, such as conferences and festivals. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target this group.
  4. Stripe – Stripe founders initially targeted developers who were frustrated with existing payment processing solutions. They then talked with their current users and discovered that many of them were startups who needed a simple and flexible payment system. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target this group.
  5. Intercom – Intercom founders initially targeted software companies who were struggling with customer communication, but after talking with their current users, they realized that other types of businesses could also benefit from their product. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target small and medium-sized businesses in a variety of industries.
  6. Zoom – Zoom founders talked with their current users and learned that many of them were using the platform for remote work and online education. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target businesses and schools that needed a reliable and easy-to-use video conferencing solution.
  7. Hubspot – Hubspot founders initially targeted small businesses who wanted to improve their online marketing, but after talking with their current users, they realized that larger companies could also benefit from their product. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target mid-sized companies in a variety of industries.
  8. Canva – Canva founders talked with their current users and learned that many of them were small business owners and social media marketers who needed an easy and affordable way to create high-quality graphics. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target this group.
  9. Calm – Calm founders talked with their early adopters and learned that many of them were looking for a way to reduce stress and anxiety. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target people who wanted to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
  10. Headspace – Headspace founders talked with their early adopters and learned that many of them were looking for a way to learn meditation and improve their mental health. They then refined their ideal customer profile to target people who wanted to learn mindfulness and meditation.
  1. Conduct industry-level research and surveys

Industry-level research and surveys can provide a wealth of information on your target audience. You can gather data on market trends, consumer behavior, and preferences, which can help you identify potential areas for growth or improvement.

Many early-stage startups use industry-level research and surveys to better understand their target audience and market. Here are a few examples:

  1. HubbleHQ: HubbleHQ is a London-based startup that helps businesses find office space. The company conducted a survey of over 1,000 UK office workers to understand their preferences and priorities when it comes to workplace amenities, such as bike storage, showers, and communal spaces.
  2. Clearbanc: Clearbanc is a fintech startup that provides funding to ecommerce businesses. To better understand the market, the company conducted a survey of over 1,200 ecommerce businesses to learn about their funding needs, revenue streams, and growth plans.
  3. UserTesting: UserTesting is a platform that allows companies to get feedback from real users on their websites and apps. To better understand the user experience (UX) design market, the company conducted a survey of over 1,200 UX professionals to learn about their roles, responsibilities, and challenges.
  4. Hims: Hims is a direct-to-consumer healthcare startup that offers products for hair loss, erectile dysfunction, and other issues. To better understand its target market, the company conducted a survey of over 1,000 men to learn about their attitudes towards healthcare and their willingness to try new products.
  5. GrubMarket: GrubMarket is a San Francisco-based startup that connects consumers with local farmers and food producers. To better understand the market for sustainable food, the company conducted a survey of over 2,000 US consumers to learn about their attitudes towards organic and locally-sourced food, as well as their buying habits.
  1. Look at cancelled customers and free trials that didn’t convert

Cancelled customers and free trials that didn’t convert can provide valuable insights into why people may not be interested in your products or services. You can conduct exit surveys or ask for feedback to understand what didn’t work for them and why. Some real-world examples of how analyzing cancelled customers and free trials can help businesses better understand their customers:

  1. Netflix: When Netflix started offering streaming video, they provided a free trial to attract new customers. However, many of these free trial users didn’t convert to paying customers. By analyzing their behavior, Netflix found that some users weren’t sure how to use the service or were overwhelmed by the large selection of movies and TV shows. To address this, Netflix started offering personalized recommendations based on users’ viewing history, making it easier for users to find content they were interested in.
  2. Spotify: Spotify allows users to sign up for a free trial of its premium service, but many users don’t convert to paying customers after the trial period ends. To better understand why, Spotify analyzed the behavior of users who cancelled their subscriptions. They found that many users cancelled because they didn’t understand the value of the premium service or didn’t use it enough to justify the cost. To address this, Spotify started offering more personalized recommendations and highlighting exclusive content that was only available to premium users.
  3. Blue Apron: Blue Apron is a meal delivery service that offers a free trial to new customers. However, many users who signed up for the trial cancelled their subscription after the first week. By analyzing their behavior, Blue Apron found that many users were overwhelmed by the amount of work required to prepare the meals. To address this, Blue Apron started offering more pre-prepared ingredients and simplified recipes, making it easier for users to cook their meals.

In each of these examples, analyzing cancelled customers and free trials helped these companies better understand their customers’ needs and preferences, leading to improvements in their products and services.

  1. Talk to non-customers

Talking to non-customers can help you get a wider perspective on your target audience. You can gather data on why they haven’t bought from you, what their needs and preferences are, and what they’re looking for in a product or service.

Talking to non-customers can provide valuable insights into why they haven’t purchased from you and what they are looking for in a product or service. Here are some real-world examples of how businesses have gained valuable insights from talking to non-customers:

  1. Dropbox: When Dropbox first launched, the company’s founders were having trouble getting traction with their product. They decided to talk to people who had signed up for the service but had never used it. Through these conversations, they discovered that many people were hesitant to use Dropbox because they were concerned about the security of their data. Based on this feedback, Dropbox improved their security features and were eventually able to gain a larger customer base.
  2. Airbnb: When Airbnb first started, the company’s founders were struggling to get people to trust the idea of renting out their homes to strangers. They decided to talk to people who had signed up for the service but had never booked a stay. Through these conversations, they discovered that people were hesitant to use Airbnb because they were concerned about the safety of their homes. Based on this feedback, Airbnb improved their verification and insurance policies, and were eventually able to gain more trust and customers.
  3. Slack: When Slack was first launched, the founders were having trouble getting traction with their product. They decided to talk to people who had signed up for the service but had never used it. Through these conversations, they discovered that people were hesitant to use Slack because they were concerned about the amount of time it would take to set up and learn how to use the platform. Based on this feedback, Slack improved their onboarding process and were eventually able to gain a larger customer base.

These examples show how talking to non-customers can help businesses gain valuable insights into why they may not be attracting customers and what they can do to improve their product or service. By listening to feedback and making changes based on that feedback, businesses can improve their chances of success and attract more customers.

  1. Look for customers of your competitors

Customers of your competitors can provide valuable insights into their product selection process, decision-making criteria, and trusted sources. You can find them by looking for testimonials and case studies on your competitor’s site, LinkedIn profiles and groups, product certifications, tweets, oDesk profiles, or Facebook. During these conversations, ask about other competitors they may have evaluated and why they chose the one they did, who else they trust in the industry, what blogs they read, if they bought direct or through a distributor/VAR/app store, and so on.

Here are some real-life examples of how companies have gained insights by talking to customers of their competitors:

  1. HubSpot: HubSpot, a marketing automation company, wanted to understand how its competitors were positioning themselves in the market. They reached out to customers of its competitors, specifically those who had recently switched from HubSpot to a competitor, and conducted interviews to gain insights into what factors led to the switch. HubSpot discovered that price was a major factor, and as a result, they decided to introduce a lower-priced tier for their product.
  2. Salesforce: Salesforce, a customer relationship management (CRM) software company, wanted to understand how its customers were using its product compared to its competitors. They conducted interviews with customers of their competitors and found that their customers preferred Salesforce’s user interface and ease of use. This led Salesforce to make changes to their product to further improve the user experience.
  3. Dropbox: Dropbox, a cloud storage company, wanted to understand why some customers were choosing competitors over their product. They reached out to customers of their competitors and found that many customers were choosing competitors because of better integration with other software applications. This led Dropbox to invest in developing integrations with popular software applications to improve their product offering.

By talking to customers of your competitors, you can gain insights into what your competitors are doing well and where they fall short. This can help you identify areas where you can differentiate yourself from your competitors and improve your product or service to better meet the needs of your target audience.

To scale or not?

Shashank

Everything that you need to do about early adopters, from finding them to getting them on board to making them happy, this amounts to doing something that probably wouldn’t fit into a “scaling up” action.

The need to do something unsalable, laborious to get started is so nearly universal that it might be a good idea to stop thinking of startup ideas as scalars.

Actually, startups take off because the founders make them take off. There may be a handful that just grew by themselves, but usually, it takes some sort of push to get them going. Once the engine gets going, it would keep going, but there is usually a separate and laborious process to get it going.

“Find one person who gives a shit. The rest Is easy.” This is the spirit you adopt when you are working on your early users or early adopters.

It’s all about making someone care. Just one person. The rest is easy.

Everything seems difficult when you try to do everything at once.

But here’s what works for sure in the early stage of new business building.

You don’t have to worry about getting a whole of people into what you’re doing.

Here’s the rule. It’s the same principle for anyone making something.

All you have to focus and care about is to get one single person to give a shit.

And, why so?  Here are some reasons:

Because it’s manageable.

If you set out with the goal of reaching some set number of people, you’re going to crash and burn.

It is staggeringly demoralizing to do that. If you keep thinking about the audience you need as being an insurmountable number, it will paralyze you.

You will not be able to do anything.

You won’t even be able to find the right place to start.

But if you’re thinking about trying to find just one person — that’s a whole lot easier. That’s doable. It’s a matter of reaching out and starting a conversation about what you’re doing and why. That’s not a tough thing to do.

You can set up a simple outreach process that will allow you to accomplish this every single day.

Because one success is going to motivate you.

Seriously, when just one person cares about something you do, it’s incredibly motivating. You’ve managed to make something that has touched the life of another human being. Someone you don’t know. Someone who now believes in you.

From now on, every time you fuck up, fail or just want to throw in the towel and walk away, you’ll be able to look back on your one success and remember what it’s like to win.

The biggest reason people quit is that they don’t think anybody is going to care. They think that if they disappeared, not one person would notice.

Get to one fan or customer. And there’ll be at least one person who will miss your work.

The drive to get to more than one person comes from there, and it’s a solid, motivating force. A force that will push you forward.

Because you won’t be shouting into the void.

The hardest part about making something is when you put it out there and nobody responds — and it’s like you’re screaming into the void.

That breaks our hearts. It is like getting lost in a sea of voices, with nobody listening or wanting to hear what we say or do.

If we put something out there and didn’t get a response, our natural reaction is to delete it. Hate it. Erase it. Start again.

But if your release strategy is not just to shout about what you’re doing — it’s to give it to one person and get them to care — you won’t experience that deafening silence. You’ll experience a connection.

Without the silence, the urge to give up will weaken slowly, every day. It may even disappear altogether. You’ll feel better about what you’re doing.

Because it’ll make you appreciate every win.

When our goal is to achieve some big number and when it is underachieved, we feel we have failed. But, there is another bunch of people who are on board, and we tend to fail to appreciate their onboarding in the process.

When just reaching a single person is your goal, you will never feel like you are a failure, when you meet your goal. You don’t feel like you are falling short.

You start appreciating every single win.

Taking anything for granted is bad. Taking your audience for granted is terrible. Don’t do it. You need to appreciate everyone, every single person who cares about what you do.

They’re real people, and they have lives and feelings and a limited amount of time to spend on this rock, and they decided to spend some of that time on you. Unless you’re selfish, that should matter.

Because, you can build on one person, every day.

One person isn’t enough of a fan base or customer base to let you do anything big. And you’re 100% right.  But you remember how manageable it was to reach out to just one person and get them to care?

What if you did that every single day? Every day, at the top of your To-Do list, you have one task. Reaching out to another person and telling them about what you do and trying to explain why they should care.

If you do that every day for a year, not everyone is going to respond. Not everyone will like what you do. Not everyone will give a shit. But if even just 50% of the people you talk to are interested, you’ll have 180 people.

Because one person who genuinely gives a shit is better than 10 casual fans.

It is always better to have one person that has a personal connection with us and the work that we do than 10 people who maybe care a little, who are interested one day but not so interested the next.

You need to divide your audience or customers into two groups. Numbers and people. The numbers are the ones you can’t care about. They’re the faceless statistics that you see in your analytics panel.

They’re the bulk of the 1,000 views you might have had on that one blog post or Facebook post likes. They’re impressive. But they don’t matter.

The people are the ones who talk to you every day, who look forward to your work, and want to engage with it.

They’re faithful. They’re loyal. They’re long-term. And you’ll learn their names one by one because you’ll have some incredible conversations with them. The chances are, these are the people who started as your single daily out-reach.

The people are the ones who matter.

Because you can ask them for feedback.

Feedback is so important to everything we do. We can never see how crap something is until other people point it out because we live in our own world where we believe that we are awesome.

When you can get some quality, honest feedback from somebody it lets you step into their shoes and look through their eyes and understand a different take on what you are doing.

Being able to reach out to one person, on an individual level, means you have an opportunity to get some of that incredible and honest feedback every single day without begging people for it or waiting for an anonymous troll to give you way too much of their opinion.

Just imagine how much you could learn.

Because you can create an advocate.

This is the dream. Having somebody who loves what you do and has enough of a connection with it to become your biggest advocate. When you’ve done it right and built up someone to honestly give a shit about you, you’re starting your own tribe.

They’ll find other people and want to share your work with them. They will spread the word. They will stand up for you, fight for you and repeat your name where it matters.

Summing up 

If you start small, it does not mean you have to finish small. All it means is that you’re taking on a manageable slice of work that you can easily accomplish.