This article is shared here from Ron’s LinkedIn post
Building a Product: For You vs. For Your Customers
When building a product, it’s easy to fall into the trap of creating something that “you” love, but what really matters is building something that “your customers” need. Here’s why this distinction is critical:
Building for Yourself:
- Vision: You have a clear idea of what you want, which can fuel innovation.
- Passion: You’re likely to build something that aligns with your personal or business goals.
- Bias: You understand the product inside and out, which can lead to powerful features and a streamlined UX.
But, the risk is creating a product that doesn’t resonate with your target market.
Building for Your Customers:
- Market Fit: You solve real problems that your customers face, ensuring there’s demand.
- Feedback-Driven: You prioritize features and improvements based on actual user needs.
- Scalability: By focusing on your customers, you build a product that can scale with them, driving long-term success.
However, relying solely on customer feedback can sometimes limit creativity and lead to incremental changes instead of breakthroughs.
The Balance:
The key is to blend your vision with customer insights. Start by understanding your target audience deeply, but don’t lose sight of your unique perspective and the innovative solutions you can bring. Your product should be a balance of visionary ideas and real-world needs.
At the end of the day, a successful product is one where your passion meets your customers’ needs. That’s where the magic happens!
