Shows
Bootstrapping SaaSBlogMaker Update: Back to the roots!2025-05-0710 min
The PanelHow do you find Founder-Product Fit?Brian Casel hosts a candid conversation with Val Sopi and Christian Genco about the realities of launching new SaaS products in 2025. All three founders are at pivotal moments in their entrepreneurial journeys, wrestling with what products to build next, how to balance consulting work with product development, and finding the elusive "founder-product fit" that makes building a business sustainable and enjoyable. They share their strategies for validating ideas, dealing with competition, and defining what success truly means beyond just revenue targets.The discussion delves into the unique challenges of the current SaaS landscape, from the impact...2025-03-211h 10Bootstrapping SaaSMy new B2B SaaS2025-02-1316 minBootstrapping SaaSCard upfront. Slow growth. What next?2025-01-1504 min
Startups For the Rest of UsEpisode 725 | SEO in the Age of AI, Freemium, When Brand Becomes Important, and More Advanced Listener Questions (with Ruben Gamez)In episode 725, join Rob Walling and Ruben Gamez as they answer several more advanced listener questions. They discuss the challenges of pursuing freemium as a bootstrapper and make a suggestion that might surprise you. Rob and Ruben also talk about why building your business as a SaaS founder is usually the best way to build your brand indirectly.
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Hiring senior developers can really move the needle in your business, but if you bring on the wrong person, you can quickly burn through your runway. If you need help finding a vetted, senior, results-oriented...2024-08-0646 minBootstrapping SaaSLatest blogstatic Numbers and Conundrums2024-08-0419 minBootstrapping SaaSThe Product Hunt LaunchA quick update on how the day is going and where blogstatic is now.Thank you to all the friends who have made this day an incredible success. The goal was to end the day inside the Top 5, which it looks like it will. However, being at #4 shooting to close the day at #3.Curious to see how it all pans out.2024-07-1805 minBootstrapping SaaSPricing–change rollercoaster of emotionsNewsletter: https://blogstatic.io/blog/old-pricing2024-04-1735 minBootstrapping SaaSA conundrum 🤔Weighing the pros and cons of either keeping blogstatic as is and making it the best possible product at blogging OR going down the monetization route where there's more financial opportunity, but a new can of worms and a departure from the initial idea (rebrand/reposition). The big question: Are these limiting beliefs that are not allowing me to grow?2024-02-2314 min
Indie BitesB2C vs B2B SaaS as an indie hacker - Val Sopi, BlogstaticToday I’m joined by Val Sopi, the founder of Blogstatic, a lightweight blogging platform built to take on the likes of Ghost. Currently Val is sitting around $1k a month, but with a low-priced annual plans approach, he’s relying on new sign ups and plan upgrades instead of recurring subscriptions. So he’s at a crossroads of needing to pour fuel on the fire to grow his low-cost blogging platform, or attempt to build a B2B SaaS, which he believes is a much more sustainable option for an indie founder. Val has been hardened by business succes...2024-01-0317 minBootstrapping SaaSPomodoro to the rescue2023-12-2115 minBootstrapping SaaSEP70 — 11 months later 🤗After an 11-month hiatus recording these, I'm trying to make a comeback.2023-11-1912 min
3GO | Trego Podcast3GO Podcast | Val Sopi - BlogtasticNe episodin e katërmbëdhjetë të #3GO, mysafir e kemi Val Sopi (Product Maker | Blogtastic)Shikim dhe dëgjim te këndshëm!2023-07-141h 13Bootstrapping SaaSblogstatic's Product Hunt launch and the aftermath2022-12-2215 minBootstrapping SaaSThe road to 5000 paid blogsA quick look at what it will take to get to 5,000 paid blogs in total and make blogstatic a self-sustaining operation.2022-12-1209 minBootstrapping SaaSIs this product market fit? 🤔2022-11-2809 minBootstrapping SaaSThe week that tanked and what's nextIt was a rough week. With the registrations and payments crashing down to zero.2022-11-2012 minBootstrapping SaaSA quick recap since my last solo episodeVisit valsopi.com for more details on the latest.2022-11-1218 minBootstrapping SaaSOnline authenticity and 'Build in Public' with Kevon Cheung2022-04-2840 minBootstrapping SaaSPierre de Wulf's story to $1M ARR with ScrappingBee2022-04-2544 minBootstrapping SaaSDoing Email and Content "Write" with Samar Owais2022-04-2128 minBootstrapping SaaSSaas and Productized Services with Benedicte Raae2022-04-1850 minBootstrapping SaaSSaas business lessons with Michele HansenSat down with Michele to talk about Geocodio, Saas lessons, luck, switching gears, and more.2022-03-2148 minBootstrapping SaaSChallenges founders face with Stefan MankuStefan Manku is a founder whisperer. He has the ability to help founders guide themselves. We sat down to talk about various challenges founders face based on Stefan's continuous work with other founders.2022-03-1453 minBootstrapping SaaSSEO & Content Talk with Dominic KentDominic's blog-writing course with 30% off for Bootstrapping Saas listeners https://domkent.gumroad.com/l/khHYbCode: bootsaas for 30% off2022-03-071h 10Bootstrapping SaaSwith Spencer Jones: indiehacking, parenting, big startup jobs...Indiehacking vs working at big Startups, marketing vs product, rebranding, and what it's like to make products while raising a family.2022-02-161h 03Bootstrapping SaaSwith Brian Casel — "How far we can push with marketing until we notice the pull"I sit down with Brian to talk about his new product ZipMessage, picking fights with the Goliath, Saas lessons from his journey, marketing, selling, business operations...2022-02-081h 07Bootstrapping SaaSResilience, purpose, and being as we are with Alex MathersSat down with Alex to talk about presenting in public, happiness, social anxiety, productivity, some deep aspects of self and everything in between.2022-01-261h 00Bootstrapping SaaSHow to sell ethically with Martin StellarMartin Stellar (https://twitter.com/martinstellar) talks about what it means being a Monk and how all that relates to ethical selling. We talk about products, Martin's coaching, his new services and apps, and even tailoring. It's along one full of gems.2022-01-171h 02Bootstrapping SaaSCam Sloan: "You don't need to get your personal brand from your business!"I got a chance to talk to my long time online friend, Cam Sloan, who's currently working on Hopscotch. We talk about the challenges of being a solo founder, b2b/b2c Saas opportunities, personal brand, photography, and more.2022-01-1059 minBootstrapping SaaSTalking shop with Noah BraggNoah just quit his job to fully focus on Potion.so. We go deep and talk about the benefits of running a growing product, exiting, VC money, growth, lessons, building vs marketing, and more.2021-12-1443 minBootstrapping SaaSTalking to Ben: Does going slow(er) sabotage our growth?Ben Mann (@digitaltrouble) comes up to share what he's been up to.2021-11-2242 minBootstrapping SaaSThe pullblogstatic's momentum is growing and I'm trying to maintain my pace without being overwhelmed.2021-10-0710 min
Talk to Stefan - Founder Hot SeatDeciding on growth channels and considering a co-founder - Val Sopi, blogstaticI'm joined by Val Sopi, Founder of blogstatic.Val's exited from his previous startup, Claritask and is now working on blogstatic. We talk through how he's approaching growth but also the idea of working with a co-founder.In this episode, we explore: The different growth channels Val's testing How he manages experiments What Val does to switch off The idea of Val having a co-founderTo learn more about the podcast: https://talktostefan.com/#podcastFind me on Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/TalkToStefan... send me a message if you're interested...2021-09-2232 minBootstrapping SaaSReloadingA quick update after a 5-month break from recording.2021-09-0805 min
Indie BetsLetting go of desperationWe talk about how making products should come from a genuine place.2021-08-1140 minIndie BetsBuilding social capital vs going for cashWe talk about slow steady growth and social capital.2021-08-0436 minIndie BetsImprov #10We celebrate our EP10 milestone by hating on twitter : )2021-07-2842 minIndie BetsDo only what is needed to NOT fail - no more, no lessFernanda shares her latest projects including https://growthnotes.ghost.io/. Val talks about a few new mental models he has come across.2021-07-2138 min
Product JourneySelling Claritask and starting anew with Val SopiVal: https://twitter.com/valsopiBen: https://twitter.com/digitaltroubleNoah: https://twitter.com/noahwbraggPotion: https://potion.soallround: https://allround.ioTrue Fans: https://true.fans2021-07-191h 01Indie BetsAll-in with your product, or not?We share our experiences of going all-in with a product and our risk tolerance.2021-07-1447 minIndie BetsBuilding in public without being a show offWe talk about how to build a personal brand, genuinely, without sounding like we're boasting.2021-07-0736 minIndie BetsKeeping up with mental healthWe talk about how mental health affects our productivity and things we should (read: must!) do to be kinder to ourselves.2021-06-3033 minIndie BetsScratching your own itch, or not.We talk about sleep, gpt3, and if we can work on products we don't care about but might pose a great opportunity.2021-06-2354 minIndie BetsThe importance of being at ease when working on productsWe talk about how you feel when making your product is how users will feel when using it, deliberate marketing plans, and being an indie maker vs having a job. 2021-06-1644 minIndie BetsOptimize your work by getting to know yourselfWe talk about what works and what doesn't for us when working on products and projects, how we don't like cold calling, and being okay with taking on something that already exists.2021-06-0947 minIndie BetsThings that boost our confidence as indie makersFernanda talks in detail about the sale of her product Inspired.
Val talks about his cautious optimism with blogstatic's new registrations.2021-06-0244 min
Building AstropadJoshua Anderton on being a maker, bootstrapper, and fatherIt's our first ever guest episode, and we're excited to have Joshua Anderton on the podcast! We've shared our journey building Astropad but starting today, we'll also mix in the stories of other bootstrappers and creators.On this episode, Matt talks with Joshua about his background in music and how he get started as a maker dabbling in software, podcasts, video, and more. He shares how started his business Upscribe and how it got initial traction. They dive into where Upscribe is at today, what's been the hardest part, what didn't go as planned, and what he...2021-05-2742 minIndie BetsMake something simply because you want it to existOur very first episode.2021-05-2742 minBootstrapping SaaSClaritask, sold!Lessons from selling Claritask and what's next2021-04-0833 minBootstrapping SaaSA quick updateAgency work, new ideas, Claritask...2021-01-1109 minBootstrapping SaaSWellbeingI share my tools that help me stay healthy emotionally and physically. 2020-10-2928 min
Speaking of ProductsTake a break every now and then to refresh!An interview between Dan and Val Sopi on a whole range of topics but generally focused around the idea of taking breaks every now and then to refresh and look after yourself.2020-10-1800 minBootstrapping SaaSBack after the breakBack after a 3-month break. Talking about what I've been up to. Claritask update. Client work. And what I'm up to now/next.2020-10-1514 minBootstrapping SaaSTaking a little breatherSignup for Claritask.com to run your team and projectsA list of various Podcasts on bootstrapping:https://transistor.fm/podcasts-for-bootstrappersBootstrapping Saas Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ANZLmlqW5LODRP2P11MTR?si=rk_FG5BdSVK65mZ5HrcmOw2020-07-1107 minBootstrapping SaaSSpilling beer with Ben MannBen is the founder of https://playgroup.community/ who just launched it with their first paying client, the notorious MegaMaker forum. You can also find Ben on Twitter at https://twitter.com/digitaltroubleHe runs his podcast with Noah Bragg https://productjourney.fm/You can also find Ben's website here https://benmann.de/===Signup for Claritask.com to run your team and projectsA list of various Podcasts on bootstrapping:https://transistor.fm/podcasts-for-bootstrappersBootstrapping Saas Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ANZLmlqW5L...2020-07-0354 minBootstrapping SaaSGiving Value vs Solving a Problem, with Louis NichollsThis show was an elaboration of a discussion/argument we had with Louis a few weeks ago on Twitter. You can find the entire tweet here: https://twitter.com/valsopi/status/1267489835863998472Some questions we try to answer are:The difference between idea/executionWhat it means to give valueWhat is Marketing vs Sales (a sort of new take, at least for me)You can find out more about Louis in the following placesHis salesforfounders.com CourseTwitter account https://twitter.com/louisnicholls_And podcast: https://pod.salesforfounders.com/We also had two questions from...2020-06-251h 02Bootstrapping SaaSWhat's a good idea/solution?The two tweets I mention heavily on the showhttps://twitter.com/valsopi/status/1266052752901373952https://twitter.com/valsopi/status/1267489835863998472And signup for Claritask.com to run your team and projectsA list of various Podcasts on bootstrapping:https://transistor.fm/podcasts-for-bootstrappersBootstrapping Saas Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ANZLmlqW5LODRP2P11MTR?si=rk_FG5BdSVK65mZ5HrcmOw2020-06-0820 minBootstrapping SaaSClaritask as a side projectThis week I am listening to: Hermanos Gutierrez and their album Hoy Como AyerHUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace Richardson — RepoGuard.comRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Flamur Mavraj — Ornio.noMerott Movahedi — Xebel.co - Engaging Students OnlineZoli VeresValon BadivukuYou can support me here https://www.patreon.com/bootsaasAnd signup for Claritask.com to run your team and projec...2020-05-2521 minBootstrapping SaaSCatching up with Corey — Part DeuxIt's Friday, so we slip into philosophical thoughts and let that lead us to the end.HUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Flamur Mavraj — Ornio.noJace Richardson — RepoGuard.comRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Movahedi — Xebel.co - Engaging Students OnlineZoli VeresValon BadivukuYou can support me here https://www.patreon.com/bootsaasAnd signup for Claritask.com to run your t...2020-05-151h 07Bootstrapping SaaSThe importance of having the right co-founderAmong other things, I talk about:My personal experience with cofoundersThoughts on finding a co-founderAudio clips from:Arvid Kahl of Zero to Sold and The Bootstrapped FounderJustin Jackson of Transistor.fm and JustinJackson.caSimon Bennett of Snapshooter.ioA quick update on ClaritaskA list of various Podcasts on bootstrapping:https://transistor.fm/podcasts-for-bootstrappersBootstrapping Saas Playlist on Spotify:https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ANZLmlqW5LODRP2P11MTR?si=rk_FG5BdSVK65mZ5HrcmOwHUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Flamur Mavraj — Ornio.noJace Richardson — RepoGuard.comRepoGuard. Protect your GitH...2020-05-1144 minBootstrapping SaaSOnline FriendsIn this episode...Spoke about the importance of having friends that share the same journeyClaritask Scrum being readyHow we don't have to be perfectThinking about AppSumoDan Miller's book on Scrum: https://gumroad.com/danmiller#CDPpFAnd a few other things...Bootstrapping Saas Playlist on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5ANZLmlqW5LODRP2P11MTR?si=rk_FG5BdSVK65mZ5HrcmOwHUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, R...2020-05-0228 minBootstrapping SaaS1 Year of Bootstrapping SaasMy panic attack, Claritask progress, issues, and hope ahead.Mentioned in the show:Dwayne Perkins StandupBertram — Craft and Wilderness2020-04-1930 minBootstrapping SaaSSales and marketing effortsI talk about about, how I am usingLinkedin EmailTwitterDirect EmailBloggingA BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi - xebel.coSimon Benett - snapshooter.ioDean Leyton-James - cloudperiscope.comZoli VeresValon Badivuku - badivuku.comYou can support me here https://www.patreon.com/bootsaas2020-03-0816 minBootstrapping SaaSSelling a solution VS a comodityI had a thought earlier today about how maybe selling a solution (like Claritask) requires an offline effort (networking, in person sales, conferences, presentations, etc.).Here's the original tweet on that conundrum: https://twitter.com/valsopi/status/1233382562728378368HUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi — Xebel.co - Engaging Students OnlineSimon Benett — SnapShooter.io - DigitalOcean Back...2020-02-2810 minBootstrapping SaaSClaritask is 1Enjoying Claritask, more than ever because:Claritask is quite completeCurrent clients are happyNew pricingNew activity New paying clientsMy consultancy financing ClaritaskAnd talking about one problem/conundrum/question that I have, which I don't know how to solve.A BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi - xebel.coSimon Benett - snapshooter.ioDean Leyton-James - c...2020-02-1624 minBootstrapping SaaSHow to find an idea... my wayI was invited on Product Journey podcast to share my story and had a great time speaking to Noah and Ben. One thing that got my mind churning was on how I would go about finding what idea to work on next. It was specifically Noah's frustrations after interviewing people and being left with less inspiration than when first started.This is that episode: https://share.transistor.fm/s/4ea4839fHUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to...2020-02-0922 minProduct JourneyFighting Giants with Val SopiProduct Journey Twitter: https://twitter.com/pjourneypodVal Sopi: https://twitter.com/valsopiClaritask: https://claritask.comReach out to us on Twitter. We'd love your feedback!2020-02-0346 minBootstrapping SaaSTalking Shop with Helen RylesHad the pleasure to speak to my long time internet friend, Helen Ryles (@HelenRyles). We covered topics from product making, validation, marketing, timing/luck, staying sane, and more.One of the longest episodes I believe, but felt like a breeze.Let me know if you have any comments by replying to the shows tweet here: Helen's current projects:Namesace: https://namesace.com/FeedbackFridays: https://feedbackfridays.com/A BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to...2020-02-0152 minBootstrapping SaaSHow I got hereWould I have been able to make Claritask as a side project?The talk I had with my wifeApril Dunford's Obviously Awesome bookHUGE Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi - xebel.co (spelled with an X)Simon Benett - snapshooter.ioDean Leyton-James - cloudperiscope.comZoli VeresValon BadivukuYou can support me here https://www.patreon.com/bootsaas2020-01-2625 minBootstrapping SaaSJust a quick updateTook a few questions from Noah https://twitter.com/noahwbragg/status/1218625288633847808 and Dan https://twitter.com/mrdanmiller/status/1218627320807772161New registrations coming in from my sales/marketing effortsBought a new domain for a blog/publication I've been wanting to make for the longest timeJosh's tweet https://twitter.com/Shpigford/status/1217841243213922310 and positioning/distribution issuesAnd a few other things: Thinking about launching on ProductHunt, my NYs resolutions working out so farMac Miller: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrR_gm6RqCoA BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that...2020-01-1821 minBootstrapping SaaSFeeling like a cheatAmong other things...Running a product in the sea of many competitorsMy readings: David & Goliath, Stillness is the Key, Atomic Habits, Obviously AwesomeClaritask currently: Lower pricing, new registrations, my sales activityNew client workPersonal habits: fasting, working out, A BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi - xebel.co (spelled with an X)Simon Benett...2020-01-1120 minBootstrapping SaaSMoving forward this 2020A recap of last year: bad things & good thingsThe $20K bank loan I was about to takeNew Pricing and why I did it (the reasoning behind it)Healthy habits: Intermittent fastingStarted Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/bootsaasMore open financials: What else will I be sharing moving forwardPatreon SupportersA BIG Thanks to my Patreon supporters:Jace RichardsonRepoGuard. Protect your GitHub repositories from common mistakes that cost time and energy to fix. Whether it's force pushes to master or just bad commit messages, RepoGuard can help. Visit RepoGuard.com for more info.Merott Mohavedi...2020-01-0330 minBootstrapping SaaSGet Lucky! (A blog post)Not a regular episode, just something I wrote about how I think about Luck and Getting Lucky!2019-12-1905 minBootstrapping SaaSBack from MIAThere wont be any ads in the show moving forward. Instead, I will give shoutouts to my maker friends. Want to keep the show ad freeShoutouts:Helen Ryles: NamesAce.comTony DenkeDominic St. PierreShow notes:$20K Investment didn't happenApplied to Tinyseed, probably wont get an interview call/emailGetting a loan of $20K going into 2020Claritask is doing well. No growth in new clients, but there's growth with current clients adding more users, which caused the need to up the resources in the serverHow I will market/sell Claritask going forward2019-12-1517 minBootstrapping SaaSIs Bootstrapped Investor a thing?Thankful for EP25 supporters:Userlist is a tool for sending behavior-based messages to your SaaS customers. It’s great for onboarding users and nurturing them throughout their journey. You can also see who your users are, segment them, and see what they’re doing inside your product. Userlist is much more powerful than building it yourself, and less complex than enterprise tools like Intercom. Start your free trial today at userlist.io/bootstrappingsaas and get 30% off your first three months.2019-11-0128 minBootstrapping SaaSBack on ClaritaskEven though I am excited to come back to Claritask, I still have to find a long-term working model.Started Cold Emailing and landed the first demo with the first 30 emails sent.Also, reading Ryan Holiday's book and highlighting most of it.Thankful for EP24supporters:Userlist is a tool for sending behavior-based messages to your SaaS customers. It’s great for onboarding users and nurturing them throughout their journey. You can also see who your users are, segment them, and see what they’re doing inside your product. Userlist is much more...2019-10-2026 minBootstrapping SaaSWhat I wished for my birthdayOther things I talk about:My relationship with moneyStillness is the Key book by Ryan HolidayFull Stack Radio Episode 125 — "Rob Walling: Choosing the Right Idea" with Adam WathanTraction book by Gabriel Weinberg and Justin MaresThe worst business I invested inKeeping a list of things I want to achieveThe Stairstep Approach to Bootstrapping by Rob WallingWhat I am watching right nowThankful for EP23 supporters:Userlist is a tool for sending behavior-based messages to your SaaS customers. It’s great for onboarding users and nurturing them throughout their journey. You can also see who your users are, segm...2019-10-1428 minBootstrapping SaaSI need a new business modelBootstrapping with client work on one side and Claritask on another is proving to be hard.Among other things I talk about:Bootstrapping is hard in the way I am doing itMomentum in product makingMy current client project (consultancy work)Sales & direct EmailsAlso, as a chapter on its own:How to have a killer productMoving forward as a companyThankful for EP22 supporters:ColdfeetStudios.com by Shawn Inman — Shawn is offering a 30-minute free consultation wanting to help with a pressing challenge (technical or not) that you are facing in your bo...2019-10-0923 minBootstrapping SaaSSpeaking to Corey GwinCorey and I have been talking for quite some time on and off. We finally found the time to sit down and talk about this "fancy" bootstrapping life of ours.Among other things we challenged the bootstrapping way of building and selling a product and what would be the ideal situations of receiving an outside investment.Corey runs https://blurt.app which helps its users write better.Thankful for EP21 supporters:ColdfeetStudios.com by Shawn Inman — Shawn is offering a 30-minute free consultation wanting to help with a pressing challenge (technical or no...2019-10-061h 16Bootstrapping SaaSThings are goodIn this show I talk about how I am saving ~$1200 on yearly bank fees.Also, I share some lessons on what I have learned so far running Claritask and having this podcast as well as some advice on if you should run a B2B or B2C product.Another thing that has been going around lately is how much transparency is more than necessary? Does it do any good or it's just for high fives we get from our supportersOther points:How I can't work well when working on two...2019-09-2236 minBootstrapping SaaSDisciplineIn this episode I talk about how client work is making me more disciplined with Claritask. Also, how I am positioning Claritask more as a company and less like an indiehacker side-product, which is not. I will focus more on channels that have worked before, like Linkedin, Quora, and Medium.Companies that I sell to are serious companies that want to work with a product which they feel will be around for a long time. Removing myself from Claritask will (hopefully) make it sound more as a serious contender to current apps out there and less about 1...2019-09-1511 minBootstrapping SaaSGrinding and fighting a (good) fightIn this episode I talk about how client work is helping me keep the lights on with Claritask, but it's getting me away from it on daily basis, which I hate.Also, I talk about how I don't want money to be the measuring stick of my product, or self in general.I want to be more disciplined where I split my day in half in both client work and Claritask, which I haven't been able to doTalking about this podcast Supporters (not Sponsors)My current streams of revenueHow Rocky has it wrongThankful for EP18...2019-09-0824 minBootstrapping SaaSSales in a Bootstrapped Saas with Louis NichollsLouis Nichols was a cofounder of a VC backed startup that exited and now he consults startups and founders on sales and marketing.In this Episode we go down into the basics of what Sales mean for a bootstrapped Saas and how to go about succeeding with it.Some of the things we talked about were:The difference between Sales and Marketing for early stage bootstrapped startupsHow to go about finding leadsDoes it matter "who" is behind the productJustin Jackson's "The Myth of a Niche Market" https://justinjackson.ca/nicheLouis is currently...2019-08-311h 06Bootstrapping SaaSThe one where I have a lot to sayTwo big announcements:Next show (EP17) I will have a guest who I will announce a few days before the show. He is a sales marketer for B2B #Saas businessesI have new sponsors for the show starting EP17. One will be sponsoring for 6 weeks and the other for 3. They are both services and products made for usI will be taking off for a few days just to recharge.Doing things differently with consulting: working hourly vs fixed pricingNew consultancy gig that will help me financially continue running ClaritaskWhat is bootstrapping? (to me)Talking about Philip's article: https...2019-08-2332 minBootstrapping SaaSFocusing on the ones who love ClaritaskIt's tricky, focusing on tire kickers and those who are not sure about using Claritask — because they require the most time to support (time that I do not have) and chances are will not convert. These are users who it's best to support when you have a larger team and have the time to wait/support until they convert.Also, Claritask is not part of Baremetrics Open Startups, where you get to see everything that goes in and around Claritask's revenue, updated in real time — http://claritask.baremetrics.comToying with new ideas about Claritask home...2019-08-1217 minBootstrapping SaaSHow I workIn this episode I go into detail on how I divide my tasks in Claritask (Features & Quickies). Also talk about latest in Claritask (features & new clients).On Youtube: https://youtu.be/1A4cib0LkfUThere's a new client trialing Claritask with a 7-day trial, which I have introduced recently. Hopefully they convert to a paying client.Also, if you want to sponsor this show I am starting at $20/month. Let me know at saas@claritask.com if you are interested.Capterra reviews are currently at 5 star, which I am very happy...2019-08-0321 minBootstrapping SaaSEmbracing Bootstrapper LifeIn this episode I talk about how I am embracing the bootstrapping life more and more and how taking controlled risks and having more money in the bank is helping me make better decisions.Please, fill out this 1 question survey on how I can make this show better for you (Google form) — https://bit.ly/2MkuahbI am also opening up this show to sponsorships where companies can advertise for as little as $20 per episode.Other things I talk about is how I am working on a few small side projects for clients to...2019-07-2816 minBootstrapping SaaSMilestone: $500 All Time RevenueAlso, how taking side projects in costing me more time than it's worth the cash that I am *NOT* getting.Claritask is doing great with current clients, they are adding more people, new features are coming, existing ones are being improved upon.New Claritask website is coming up, which will be mostly type/copywriting without many icons/photos and no salesy fluff. Will include user guides, case studies.Going back to the original $50/month flat price offer.Spoke to Corey Haines (https://twitter.com/coreyhainesco) of https://Baremetrics.com about things...2019-07-2023 minBootstrapping SaaSGetting my head out of my assThe angel investment possibility I mentioned on EP10 didn't go through and glad it actually didn't. I can continue building Claritask on my own terms for my clients. Also a listener, Kevin Ratez from Germany https://twitter.com/KevinRaetz, helped me realize a few things and inspired me to give direct sales a real try. Thanks Kevin!MRR at $150/month. Lost the first client. User base is growing from current clients adding more of their staff. Still struggling with leads, hence one last push for direct sales.2019-07-0520 minBootstrapping SaaSShould I be taking Angel investment?There are ton of positives I am feeling about my talks with the potential angel investor. There are a few things which make me reluctant in taking this investment, but overall — the mood is positive.There's a new paying client and I launched an upgrade which caused a few clients to write me 10 seconds later about a bug (Is this PMF? People crying 'fire' seconds later?)Started doing Case studies and here's where my inspiration came from: https://twitter.com/valsopi/status/1141978808368664576The benefits of keeping it honest in this podcast and how ho...2019-06-2129 minBootstrapping SaaSNot doing what I should be doing!I start with a little bit of venting on how I am not doing enough with my outreach efforts and hanging out in places (Twitter) where my clients are not. My best visits come from Linkedin, Medium, Quora — and I should be more there.I talk a bit about on how our business should be a flower with a ton of nectar to support a bee and help it invite all its friends to join (word of mouth) — and not be always on the outreach mode where we are tapping on our potential customer's shoulder with our offe...2019-06-1618 minBootstrapping SaaSLoving the boring bits and the Saas grindI talk about the boring bits, how Saas is a long game and you really have to love the grind. Then I continue on how things are getting serious because a new client signed up with +30 staff and "daily active users" went up to 70 on Wednesday.The idea of an investment crossed my mind and I spoke to two sources (fund/vc in Europe and an angel in New York City). Not sure it's the route I would see myself in, though weighing the options and its worthiness.Answered a few listener questions and ended...2019-06-0932 minBootstrapping SaaSWhen not to quit and how to run your Saas as a hobbyIn this episode I talk about how to know when you have a product with some positive signals and how to push through. I also, quickly talk about the benefits of thinking of your business as a hobby and how it could have a positive impact in your growth.Towards the end I share what I have done this past week and what I will be doing the coming week.2019-06-0220 minBootstrapping SaaSLead problems and what I'll be doing nextIn this episode I talk about how leads are still a problem and that I will focus on content (I describe in detail what is working for me and where I will focus my efforts). Also, that I will be giving cold emailing another try but a bit differently (highly prospected) and on a new target market (content marketers).Claritask, the app, is in good shape with great comments coming from current users. I will also continue with a few new features and improvements inside the app.There's one thing I want to try with...2019-05-2626 minBootstrapping SaaSWeekly confessions while drivingIn this episode I talk about how hard the week was. Not that anything in particular happened, but the way I feel about things going slower than I want them to be — and how I am trying to overcome these feelings and look forward.I recorded this episode while driving. The sound maybe a bit off, but I like this episode as there's something about driving that gives me the freedom to vent and "be real" with everything that is going on in life and business.I take a question from a fellow maker Tzelon Ma...2019-05-1929 minBootstrapping SaaSContent marketing, the long game, and getting luckyIn this episode I talk about how I am focusing on Content Marketing as my sole growth channel of choice, for now.Other notes include on how I don't want to play the 'numbers game' just yet and how I want to focus on helping every new customer one-on-one. This is hard, clearly, but I want to be there for every new client that comes through the door. Like an actual store, where you walk in and someone greets you. Yes, Claritask is an online product, but it's a service at the end of the day, hence...2019-05-1027 min