From Side Project to Case Study: Building What People Actually Want

Turning a side project into a product people love isn't about luck—it's about focusing on what truly matters: solving real problems for real people. In this guide, we will explore the key steps to escape the “pain cave” and create something people actually want.

What is the Pain Cave?

Many founders waste time building features that don't resonate with their audience. This “pain cave” happens when you try to anticipate customer needs without genuine feedback. Instead of guessing, learn to sell what people already want.

How to Escape the Pain Cave

• Focus on customer feedback early. (Debugging customer feedback)
• Build less and sell more. (Demand-driven development)
• Test ideas manually before scaling. (Manual sales first)

Case Study: Moving from Project to Product

Consider an indiehacker who started with a Google Sheets MVP. Initially, it was a small tool for tracking project deadlines. With feedback from early users, they iterated manually, learning that time tracking was a bigger pain point than deadlines. This insight helped them pivot to a successful product. (Google Sheets MVP)

Steps to Build What People Want

Follow these steps to ensure your product aligns with customer needs:

• Start with a clear problem worth solving.
• Run customer interviews to understand demand. (Customer interviews)
• Create a manual MVP to validate your solution. (Manual MVP)
• Iterate based on retention, not just initial feedback.

Extra Tip

Don't rush to scale too early. Focus on building strong case studies that make future sales effortless. (Case study sales method)

FAQs

How do I know if my side project has demand? Start with customer interviews and look for patterns in what people say they want. Tools like surveys can help, but direct conversations are best.

When should I move from a manual MVP to scaling? Once you have consistent retention and a repeatable case study, it's time to systematize and scale.

What if my first idea doesn't work? Iteration is key. Use insights from failed attempts to refine your approach. (Pivot failing MVP success)

How do I handle competition? Focus on your unique angle and customer relationships. Leveraging existing platforms can help. (Leverage platforms)

What tools can help with my MVP? Low-code solutions like Google Sheets and Zapier are great for quick iterations. (Tech stack shortcuts)

Recommendations

Focus on customer feedback over feature development. Sell before you build, and validate ideas through simple, manual processes. Engage your target audience early and consistently.

Additional Sections

Why Feedback Loops Matter

Regular feedback is the cornerstone of building something people want. Without it, you risk missing key insights.

The Importance of Starting Small

A small, dedicated audience can provide valuable feedback that scales your project more effectively than a broad, unengaged audience.

Using Analytics to Understand Retention

Retention data tells you what keeps users coming back. Focus on metrics that align with long-term usage.

Common Myths and Misconceptions

Myth: You need a polished product to start selling.
Reality: A rough, functional MVP often works better for gathering feedback.

Myth: Scaling early is always better.
Reality: Premature scaling can lead to wasted resources and mismatched demand. (Done better than perfect)

Myth: Competition means your idea won’t work.
Reality: Healthy competition often signals demand.

Checklist: Are You Building What People Want?

• Have you spoken to at least 10 potential customers?
• Does your MVP solve a specific, validated problem?
• Are you tracking retention and user feedback?
• Have you documented a case study?
• Are you iterating based on data, not assumptions?

Next Steps

Start a conversation with your first 10 potential customers. Focus on solving one clear problem manually. Track retention to guide your next steps. Share this article to help fellow indiehackers refine their journey.

Call to Action

Join our community on X and connect with other indiehackers. List your MVP on BetrTesters to start marketing your product today!