We offered a beta portfolio website builder on
@ButternutAI. Thousands took their websites live.
Some lessons from our experiment :
- Release early. Customers who are willing to try out your beta give great feedback.
- Don't just ask for emails for a waitlist. Share a product, even if it is an MVP. People lose attention too soon.
- As a founder, be active on social media. If you're good at writing, LinkedIn/X. If you love making videos, Youtube/Tiktok. Don't leave the opportunity to directly connect with your users.
- AI is making consumer startups relevant again. In our case, many told us that websites is already a crowded category. Why even try when Wix, Squarespace and likes have a monopoly? They don't understand that AI has changed rules of game. Old software was clunky, AI products are seamless. Many people who use Butternut have been trying for years to create their portfolio sites but get bogged down by complexity of legacy platforms. So, it's a GREAT time to innovate in categories that are supposedly 'monopolized'.
- Test your assumptions. We had prior notion of our ICP who would use our product. But surprisingly, our beta customers are from an entirely different category which is a pleasant surprise.
- Be ready for a flop! I posted this offer on X, only a few dozen people reached out. On LinkedIn, thousands did. If your launch fails on one platform, try another. If it fails today, try tomorrow. No one is deducting any marks if you launch again and again :)
Thanks again to all the users. As of today, 10334 people have taken their portfolio websites live. We've incorporated feedback and will be releasing a public version soon. Stay tuned.
#ButternutAI #websitebuilder #startups #tech #AI