THREAD: How to research and launch MVP in 4 Weeks.
This is a collection of knowledge and experience I've used to launch my MVP extrafounder.com in 4 weeks.
Thanks to all mentors and startup resources
@sabakarimm @startupschool @techstars #startup
This is a collection of knowledge and experience I've used to launch my MVP extrafounder.com in 4 weeks.
Thanks to all mentors and startup resources
@sabakarimm @startupschool @techstars #startup
/2 W1 - Customer research
Before you know what to build, you first need to talk to potential users of your product.
Find them wherever you can, In-person, twitter, forums... If you can't find any users try @pollfish @SurveyMonkey
Pay attention to how you ask questions.
Before you know what to build, you first need to talk to potential users of your product.
Find them wherever you can, In-person, twitter, forums... If you can't find any users try @pollfish @SurveyMonkey
Pay attention to how you ask questions.
/3 W1 - Customer research
Ask users about their problems and don't talk to them about your solution yet, avoid leading questions.
You are looking for painful and very frequent problems that happen daily.
Great book on how to interview users: momtestbook.com
Ask users about their problems and don't talk to them about your solution yet, avoid leading questions.
You are looking for painful and very frequent problems that happen daily.
Great book on how to interview users: momtestbook.com
/4 W1 - Tech Research
It's very important to research and plan what technology you will use to build your MVP.
Always stay close to what you already know, not a time for learning new technology unless you have to.
Reach out to mentors, experts, or me for advice.
It's very important to research and plan what technology you will use to build your MVP.
Always stay close to what you already know, not a time for learning new technology unless you have to.
Reach out to mentors, experts, or me for advice.
/5 W1 - For Tech Founders
Stick to frameworks and languages you know. Use existing FE libs like @quasarframework @nuxt_js nextjs.org
Custom build only when nothing out there.
Avoid complex setups. Use cloud and hosted solutions like @HasuraHQ @Netlify @Firebase
Stick to frameworks and languages you know. Use existing FE libs like @quasarframework @nuxt_js nextjs.org
Custom build only when nothing out there.
Avoid complex setups. Use cloud and hosted solutions like @HasuraHQ @Netlify @Firebase
/7 W1 - Features Planning
Always remember the "Minimum" part of MVP.
The bare strip down functionality your users will need!
This means only plan for core features that you can build in 1-2 weeks, you will need an additional 1-week for tweaks, bug fixes, and unexpected.
Always remember the "Minimum" part of MVP.
The bare strip down functionality your users will need!
This means only plan for core features that you can build in 1-2 weeks, you will need an additional 1-week for tweaks, bug fixes, and unexpected.
/8 W2 - Build Core Features ONLY!!
Always start first with the most core / necessary features.
If unexpected happens (which often does) and you run out of time, then you have to make cuts, and can't cut the main ones.
Follow this or run the risk of missing the deadline.
Always start first with the most core / necessary features.
If unexpected happens (which often does) and you run out of time, then you have to make cuts, and can't cut the main ones.
Follow this or run the risk of missing the deadline.
/9 W2 - Build Functionality First
Your product will be built in multiple passes.
In your first pass start with building functionality first and focus very little on look and design.
Your initial users will forgive an OK design but they will not a product that doesn't work.
Your product will be built in multiple passes.
In your first pass start with building functionality first and focus very little on look and design.
Your initial users will forgive an OK design but they will not a product that doesn't work.
/11 W2 - Barebone prototype
By the end of W2, you should have basic functioning product that most likely looks like crap but does the basic functionality you intended.
If that's the case, you should feel proud of your self. It's very hard to stay disciplined and on track.
By the end of W2, you should have basic functioning product that most likely looks like crap but does the basic functionality you intended.
If that's the case, you should feel proud of your self. It's very hard to stay disciplined and on track.
/12 W3 - Fleshing things out
Now you are ready to make a 2nd Pass on your prototype.
It's time to pretty up your UI and do any small functionality improvements.
Remember this is still an MVP, don't worry about pixel perfect design or spending 4 hours on color of the button.
Now you are ready to make a 2nd Pass on your prototype.
It's time to pretty up your UI and do any small functionality improvements.
Remember this is still an MVP, don't worry about pixel perfect design or spending 4 hours on color of the button.
/13 W3 - Friend and Family Test
It might be a good time to show off your prototype to your friends and family. Get some super early feedback.
They will help you catch obvious small flaws but be careful not to get into adding features from their suggestions, stay on track!
It might be a good time to show off your prototype to your friends and family. Get some super early feedback.
They will help you catch obvious small flaws but be careful not to get into adding features from their suggestions, stay on track!
/14 W3 - Core product complete
By the end of week 3, you should have your core product complete, with basic functionality and some acceptable UI design. While you might not be happy with features or with the design, you should feel proud of meeting your deadline!!!
By the end of week 3, you should have your core product complete, with basic functionality and some acceptable UI design. While you might not be happy with features or with the design, you should feel proud of meeting your deadline!!!
/15 W4 - Home page design
I left home page design for last because, until you build a basic product, features and UI are very fluid and you do not want to waste time redesigning anything.
Plus you will now be able to take video and screenshot of your completed product.
I left home page design for last because, until you build a basic product, features and UI are very fluid and you do not want to waste time redesigning anything.
Plus you will now be able to take video and screenshot of your completed product.
/16 W4 - Keep making UI & Dev passes
Last week all you are doing is testing, tweaking, fixing, testing, tweaking, fixing.
Get it as close as possible to usable and presentable in the time allowed.
Remember it's only an MVP.
No matter what do not extend the deadline!!
Last week all you are doing is testing, tweaking, fixing, testing, tweaking, fixing.
Get it as close as possible to usable and presentable in the time allowed.
Remember it's only an MVP.
No matter what do not extend the deadline!!
/17 W4 - Launch... well kind of very softly.
So this is going to be the most anticlimatic part.
Yes, you will launch but without any fanfare. Share it with a friend, core fans of your product who followed your progress.
DO NOT post on product hunt yet and no press releases.
So this is going to be the most anticlimatic part.
Yes, you will launch but without any fanfare. Share it with a friend, core fans of your product who followed your progress.
DO NOT post on product hunt yet and no press releases.
/18 - Keep launching every week.
Yes, every week you will keep launching and iterating on your product, and every time your launch it will get a little bit easier and better.
Get users in and talk to them and most importantly listen and build based on their feedback.
Yes, every week you will keep launching and iterating on your product, and every time your launch it will get a little bit easier and better.
Get users in and talk to them and most importantly listen and build based on their feedback.
/19 - The end / Kraj
I hope you find this thread helpful in launching your next MVP.
It's hard to cover everything, so if you need help or advice feel free to DM me or find me at my startup community @ExtraFounder
I hope you find this thread helpful in launching your next MVP.
It's hard to cover everything, so if you need help or advice feel free to DM me or find me at my startup community @ExtraFounder
