Your customer will tell you what to build

The mantra “launch soon, and your customer will tell you what to build” is often used in the startup and hacking scene, as a way to encourage entrepreneurs to quickly launch their products or services, and then rely on customer feedback to shape future iterations.

The idea behind this approach is that by getting your product or service in front of customers as soon as possible, you can begin to gather valuable insights and feedback about what works and what doesn’t. This, in turn, can help you refine your offering, prioritize your product roadmap, and ultimately build something that your customers truly want and need.

While this approach can be effective, there are some potential drawbacks to keep in mind. For example, customers may not always know exactly what they want or need, and their feedback may not always be the most reliable indicator of what direction your product should take.

Additionally, customers may sometimes suggest that you simply copy a competitor’s product or feature, rather than coming up with something truly innovative or unique. While it’s important to keep an eye on what your competitors are doing, blindly following their lead may not be the best strategy for long-term success.

Ultimately, the key to success with this approach is to strike a balance between being responsive to customer feedback and staying true to your own vision and values as a company. By carefully considering customer feedback and incorporating it into your product roadmap in a thoughtful and strategic way, you can create a product or service that truly resonates with your target audience and drives long-term growth and success.