The 'build an audience first, then monetize' strategy is a trap for SaaS founders. This model is only viable for massively funded companies like HubSpot. Bootstrappers should focus on solving a problem directly, not on the long, resource-intensive path of building a media arm with uncertain monetization.
A successful affiliate program isn't about setting up a link and waiting. It requires actively identifying, recruiting, and managing a few key partners with large, relevant audiences. Treat potential top affiliates like enterprise sales leads, not just names on a list.
High SaaS revenue multiples make buyouts too expensive for management teams. This contrasts with traditional businesses valued on lower EBITDA multiples, where buyouts are more common. The exception is for stable, low-growth SaaS companies where a deal might be structured with seller financing.
Founders who've already built a product haven't missed the 'validation' window. The focus simply shifts from 'is there a problem?' to de-risking subsequent assumptions: Is the solution worthwhile? Will people pay enough? Can customers be acquired profitably? This process is ongoing, even at scale.
Even a seemingly acceptable 4% monthly churn will eventually cap your growth, as acquiring new customers becomes a treadmill to replace lost ones. Reducing churn to 2.5-3% is a more powerful growth lever than finding new marketing channels once you hit a plateau.
Avoid building your primary content presence on platforms like Medium or Quora. These platforms inevitably shift focus from serving users to serving advertisers and their own bottom line, ultimately degrading reach and control for creators. Use them as spokes, but always own your central content hub.
The common advice to chop up a single video or blog post for every social platform is a myth. Each platform's algorithm and audience expectations demand native content. True growth comes from mastering one or two channels with tailored content, not from thinly spreading repurposed material across many.