From Pull Requests to Product Sales: A Developer's Guide to Finding Real Demand

Introduction

Many developers start their journey with code, focusing on pull requests and feature development. But what happens when you want to move from writing code to selling a product? This article will guide you through understanding real demand, ensuring what you build actually sells.

The Story of IndieHacker Jane

Jane, an indie hacker, had a brilliant idea for a productivity tool. She coded it in her spare time, but when she launched, she only had a few signups. Jane realized she had spent too much time in what we call the "pain cave," building something without true demand. She pivoted by talking directly to potential users, understanding their needs, and then selling her service manually before automating it. This approach not only validated her product but also led to her first ten customers (manual MVP).

Understanding Demand vs Supply

Demand is what people want; it exists independently of you. Supply is what you offer in response. Jane learned that demand pulls your business into existence, making it intuitive, whereas supply, if not aligned with demand, leads to complexity and wasted effort. Jane focused on what her users were trying to achieve, not just what she could build (demand-driven development).

Practical Steps to Find Real Demand

Here are actionable steps:

• Start with One Case Study: Identify one real user case where your product can solve a problem. This is your starting point (case study sales).
• Manual Delivery: Offer your solution manually to learn what aspects users love or need improvement. This is your "founder magic" phase where you're directly involved in every detail (duct tape MVP).
• Feedback Loop: Use customer interviews to refine your product. Listen for the 'pain points' and adjust accordingly (customer interviews).
• Iterate: Based on feedback, iterate your product. Keep it simple and focus on what leads to retention (pivot failing MVP).

Conclusion

Transitioning from a developer mindset to that of a product seller involves understanding market demand. By focusing on real user needs, you can move from the world of code to the realm of sales, ensuring your product not only gets built but also bought.

Extra Tip: Always start small; even if you think you know what users want, validate it with real interactions.