I started building my side project, a tool for managing client relationships, a few years ago. It was something I needed for my own business, so I figured I’d make it available to others too.

As I began to look for ways to get the word out, I stumbled upon a lot of advice on how to market a product online. One site that caught my eye was theorsen.com, which has a ton of resources on marketing and entrepreneurship. I was drawn to the personal stories and experiences shared on the site.

One thing that struck me was how many people struggle to identify their target audience. I knew I needed to figure out who my tool was for, so I started thinking about the types of businesses that could use it. I realized that my initial assumption – that it would be useful for anyone with clients – was too broad.

identifying the right audience

Narrowing down my target audience took some time. I started by looking at my own network and the types of businesses I worked with. I also looked at online communities related to my tool’s niche. What were people talking about? What problems were they trying to solve?

As I got a better sense of who my audience was, I began to tailor my messaging to their needs. I used language that resonated with them and highlighted the features of my tool that would be most useful.

the importance of a clear value proposition

Having a clear value proposition is key. What sets my tool apart from others in the same space? I had to be honest with myself about what made it unique and worth using. This wasn’t easy – there are a lot of similar tools out there.

building trust with potential customers

Trust is a big issue when you’re selling something online. People need to feel confident that your product will do what you say it will. I started by being transparent about how my tool works and what it’s limitations are.

“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”

I took this to heart and focused on providing value to potential customers, rather than just trying to sell to them. I wrote blog posts and created videos that showed how to use my tool to solve real problems.

what I learned from my failures

I made a lot of mistakes along the way. I tried a few different marketing strategies that didn’t work out. For example, I spent a lot of time creating a fancy sales page, but it didn’t seem to make a difference in conversions.

testing and iteration

I’ve come to realize that testing and iteration are crucial to getting things right. I’ve tried a lot of different approaches, and I’ve learned from each one. What works for someone else may not work for me.

can you relate to my struggles?

Have you ever struggled to get your side project off the ground? What were some of the challenges you faced, and how did you overcome them? I’d love to hear about your experiences.

where I’m headed next

I’m still working on getting my tool out there. I’m not giving up, even though it’s tough. I’m excited to see where this journey takes me, and I’m looking forward to continuing to learn and adapt along the way.

I’m still figuring things out, and I expect that to continue for a while.