SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 19
Startup Customer Development Sean Ellis 									 Seedcamp 2009 (London) Sept 22, 2009
#1 Startup Risk = Customers Huge challenge to acquire & convert Little useful guidance available Hard to know where to start (hundreds of things you “could do”) 2 startup-marketing.com
What Really Mattered on Road to IPOs? Understand users and use cases Focus on right metrics & optimize Apply engineering to marketing Early execution is most critical 3 startup-marketing.com
Primary Focus Now Critical Zone Critical Zone IPOs Growth Stage Then light advising in growth stage 4 startup-marketing.com
Customer Development Framework 5 startup-marketing.com
Growth Starts with the Product 6 startup-marketing.com
What is Product/Market Fit? People want/need your product And they represent large enough market Differentiated from alternatives Users will pay for your product Or you are advertising supported 7 startup-marketing.com
“Life of any startup can be divided into two parts -before P/M fit and after P/M fit” Marc Andreessen Founder Netscape, Opsware, Ning 8 startup-marketing.com
PayPal’s Quest for P/M Fit $200K seed funding - cryptography “No one really needed it” Max Levchin $4.5M VC funding - PDA payments People preferred web demo (100X users) $1.5B sale to eBay – web payments 9 startup-marketing.com
Survey Your Product/Market Fit Free template at Survey.io 10 startup-marketing.com
Key Product/Market Fit Question “How would you feel if you could no longer use Product?” 11 startup-marketing.com
Transition to Growth 12 startup-marketing.com
Transition to Growth Track/report right metrics Positioning (based on perceived value) Viable economics (business model) 13 startup-marketing.com
Optimize Before Growing Landing pages Funnel (acquisition through transaction) 12% 13% 8% … 14 startup-marketing.com
Scalable Growth Now Possible 15 startup-marketing.com
Test from Free to Paid Channels 16 startup-marketing.com
Driving/Managing Growth Budget to maximize positive ROI spend 17 startup-marketing.com
Improve Lifetime Value Customer retention is critical Cross/up sell additional products This expands profitable channels 18 startup-marketing.com
Complete Startup Pyramid Growth Optimize Economics Positioning Product/Market Fit Twitter:  @seanellis Blog: startup-marketing.com

More Related Content

Viewers also liked

Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...
Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...
Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...Sean Ellis
 
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable Growth
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable GrowthProduct Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable Growth
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable GrowthSean Ellis
 
Finding the one growth metric that matters
Finding the one growth metric that mattersFinding the one growth metric that matters
Finding the one growth metric that mattersSean Ellis
 
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content Marketing
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content MarketingSix Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content Marketing
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content MarketingSean Ellis
 
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your Nose
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your NoseThe Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your Nose
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your NoseSean Ellis
 
UX Lesson 6: Visual Hierarchy
UX Lesson 6: Visual HierarchyUX Lesson 6: Visual Hierarchy
UX Lesson 6: Visual HierarchyJoan Lumanauw
 
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?Sean Ellis
 
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...Sean Ellis
 
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris Mootee
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris MooteeInnovation and Design Thinking - Idris Mootee
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris MooteeIdris Mootee
 
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of MarketingRyan Holiday
 
High Tempo Testing
High Tempo TestingHigh Tempo Testing
High Tempo TestingSean Ellis
 
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data Dives
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data DivesGrowth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data Dives
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data DivesSean Ellis
 
Growth Hacking Basics
Growth Hacking BasicsGrowth Hacking Basics
Growth Hacking BasicsMorgan Brown
 
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.ClavainSkade
 
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo Testing
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo TestingUsing Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo Testing
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo TestingSean Ellis
 
Stacking the Odds for Authentic Growth
Stacking the Odds for Authentic GrowthStacking the Odds for Authentic Growth
Stacking the Odds for Authentic GrowthSean Ellis
 
Ultimate Guide to Funnel Optimization
Ultimate Guide to Funnel OptimizationUltimate Guide to Funnel Optimization
Ultimate Guide to Funnel OptimizationSean Johnson
 
Acquire New Users with Better Activation
Acquire New Users with Better ActivationAcquire New Users with Better Activation
Acquire New Users with Better ActivationConrad Wadowski
 

Viewers also liked (18)

Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...
Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...
Startup Marketing Conference - Stacking the Odds for Authentic, Sustainable G...
 
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable Growth
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable GrowthProduct Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable Growth
Product Meets Growth - How Product Teams Are Key To Driving Sustainable Growth
 
Finding the one growth metric that matters
Finding the one growth metric that mattersFinding the one growth metric that matters
Finding the one growth metric that matters
 
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content Marketing
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content MarketingSix Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content Marketing
Six Growth Hacks to Get More Conversions from Your Content Marketing
 
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your Nose
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your NoseThe Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your Nose
The Biggest Growth Opportunity is Right Under Your Nose
 
UX Lesson 6: Visual Hierarchy
UX Lesson 6: Visual HierarchyUX Lesson 6: Visual Hierarchy
UX Lesson 6: Visual Hierarchy
 
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?
What Made WhatsApp Worth $19 Billion?
 
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...
Scaling Authentic Growth - How Product and Marketing Work Together to Drive G...
 
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris Mootee
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris MooteeInnovation and Design Thinking - Idris Mootee
Innovation and Design Thinking - Idris Mootee
 
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing
10 Classic Growth Hacks: Hints at the Future of Marketing
 
High Tempo Testing
High Tempo TestingHigh Tempo Testing
High Tempo Testing
 
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data Dives
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data DivesGrowth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data Dives
Growth Hacking with Data: How to Find Big Growth with Deep Data Dives
 
Growth Hacking Basics
Growth Hacking BasicsGrowth Hacking Basics
Growth Hacking Basics
 
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.
30 Brilliant marketing growth hack cards.
 
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo Testing
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo TestingUsing Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo Testing
Using Your Growth Model to Drive Smarter High Tempo Testing
 
Stacking the Odds for Authentic Growth
Stacking the Odds for Authentic GrowthStacking the Odds for Authentic Growth
Stacking the Odds for Authentic Growth
 
Ultimate Guide to Funnel Optimization
Ultimate Guide to Funnel OptimizationUltimate Guide to Funnel Optimization
Ultimate Guide to Funnel Optimization
 
Acquire New Users with Better Activation
Acquire New Users with Better ActivationAcquire New Users with Better Activation
Acquire New Users with Better Activation
 

Recently uploaded

Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan Dynamics
Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan DynamicsWelding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan Dynamics
Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan DynamicsIndiaMART InterMESH Limited
 
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...Americas Got Grants
 
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deckPitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deckHajeJanKamps
 
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon Harmer
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon HarmerDriving Business Impact for PMs with Jon Harmer
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon HarmerAggregage
 
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptx
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptxThe-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptx
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptxmbikashkanyari
 
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...ssuserf63bd7
 
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management TeamTechnical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management TeamArik Fletcher
 
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exporters
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exportersEUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exporters
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exportersPeter Horsten
 
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdfChris Skinner
 
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring CapabilitiesOnemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring CapabilitiesOne Monitar
 
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.Anamaria Contreras
 
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDF
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDFGuide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDF
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDFChandresh Chudasama
 
Excvation Safety for safety officers reference
Excvation Safety for safety officers referenceExcvation Safety for safety officers reference
Excvation Safety for safety officers referencessuser2c065e
 
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdf
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdfDarshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdf
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdfShashank Mehta
 
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptx
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptxAppkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptx
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptxappkodes
 
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptx
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptxGo for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptx
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptxRakhi Bazaar
 
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebs
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebsSupercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebs
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebsGOKUL JS
 
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQM
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQMMemorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQM
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQMVoces Mineras
 
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors DataNAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors DataExhibitors Data
 

Recently uploaded (20)

Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan Dynamics
Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan DynamicsWelding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan Dynamics
Welding Electrode Making Machine By Deccan Dynamics
 
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...
Church Building Grants To Assist With New Construction, Additions, And Restor...
 
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deckPitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deck
Pitch Deck Teardown: Xpanceo's $40M Seed deck
 
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon Harmer
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon HarmerDriving Business Impact for PMs with Jon Harmer
Driving Business Impact for PMs with Jon Harmer
 
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptx
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptxThe-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptx
The-Ethical-issues-ghhhhhhhhjof-Byjus.pptx
 
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...
Horngren’s Financial & Managerial Accounting, 7th edition by Miller-Nobles so...
 
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management TeamTechnical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
Technical Leaders - Working with the Management Team
 
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exporters
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exportersEUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exporters
EUDR Info Meeting Ethiopian coffee exporters
 
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf
20220816-EthicsGrade_Scorecard-JP_Morgan_Chase-Q2-63_57.pdf
 
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring CapabilitiesOnemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
Onemonitar Android Spy App Features: Explore Advanced Monitoring Capabilities
 
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.
Traction part 2 - EOS Model JAX Bridges.
 
WAM Corporate Presentation April 12 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation April 12 2024.pdfWAM Corporate Presentation April 12 2024.pdf
WAM Corporate Presentation April 12 2024.pdf
 
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDF
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDFGuide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDF
Guide Complete Set of Residential Architectural Drawings PDF
 
Excvation Safety for safety officers reference
Excvation Safety for safety officers referenceExcvation Safety for safety officers reference
Excvation Safety for safety officers reference
 
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdf
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdfDarshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdf
Darshan Hiranandani [News About Next CEO].pdf
 
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptx
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptxAppkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptx
Appkodes Tinder Clone Script with Customisable Solutions.pptx
 
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptx
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptxGo for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptx
Go for Rakhi Bazaar and Pick the Latest Bhaiya Bhabhi Rakhi.pptx
 
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebs
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebsSupercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebs
Supercharge Your eCommerce Stores-acowebs
 
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQM
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQMMemorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQM
Memorándum de Entendimiento (MoU) entre Codelco y SQM
 
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors DataNAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
NAB Show Exhibitor List 2024 - Exhibitors Data
 

Startup Customer Development (Seedcamp, London)

  • 1. Startup Customer Development Sean Ellis Seedcamp 2009 (London) Sept 22, 2009
  • 2. #1 Startup Risk = Customers Huge challenge to acquire & convert Little useful guidance available Hard to know where to start (hundreds of things you “could do”) 2 startup-marketing.com
  • 3. What Really Mattered on Road to IPOs? Understand users and use cases Focus on right metrics & optimize Apply engineering to marketing Early execution is most critical 3 startup-marketing.com
  • 4. Primary Focus Now Critical Zone Critical Zone IPOs Growth Stage Then light advising in growth stage 4 startup-marketing.com
  • 5. Customer Development Framework 5 startup-marketing.com
  • 6. Growth Starts with the Product 6 startup-marketing.com
  • 7. What is Product/Market Fit? People want/need your product And they represent large enough market Differentiated from alternatives Users will pay for your product Or you are advertising supported 7 startup-marketing.com
  • 8. “Life of any startup can be divided into two parts -before P/M fit and after P/M fit” Marc Andreessen Founder Netscape, Opsware, Ning 8 startup-marketing.com
  • 9. PayPal’s Quest for P/M Fit $200K seed funding - cryptography “No one really needed it” Max Levchin $4.5M VC funding - PDA payments People preferred web demo (100X users) $1.5B sale to eBay – web payments 9 startup-marketing.com
  • 10. Survey Your Product/Market Fit Free template at Survey.io 10 startup-marketing.com
  • 11. Key Product/Market Fit Question “How would you feel if you could no longer use Product?” 11 startup-marketing.com
  • 12. Transition to Growth 12 startup-marketing.com
  • 13. Transition to Growth Track/report right metrics Positioning (based on perceived value) Viable economics (business model) 13 startup-marketing.com
  • 14. Optimize Before Growing Landing pages Funnel (acquisition through transaction) 12% 13% 8% … 14 startup-marketing.com
  • 15. Scalable Growth Now Possible 15 startup-marketing.com
  • 16. Test from Free to Paid Channels 16 startup-marketing.com
  • 17. Driving/Managing Growth Budget to maximize positive ROI spend 17 startup-marketing.com
  • 18. Improve Lifetime Value Customer retention is critical Cross/up sell additional products This expands profitable channels 18 startup-marketing.com
  • 19. Complete Startup Pyramid Growth Optimize Economics Positioning Product/Market Fit Twitter: @seanellis Blog: startup-marketing.com

Editor's Notes

  1. Startup success today becoming less mysterious
  2. 40% to 100% proceed up pyramid