"Social media" is not the only channel, and "saturation" of that "channel" does not equate "channel saturation" because, as I said, it's not the only "channel", only one "channel". Explore other distribution channels. This should come first, or second only to market.
Select a sector.
Select a segment that can pay. It helps if it can be looked up, found, targeted, reached, addressed. Distribution channels.
Find segment's problems.
It is a huge advantage if interacting with said segment is subjectively not draining/soul-crushing. It is great if the interaction is enjoyable.
It helps if the entities are actually aware of the problem. That's a huge understatement. If they're not aware of the problem, you'll have to educate/inform/identify that problem for them which increases your sales complexity (and customer acquisition cost, and veering towards high-touch sales). You'll potentially be creating a market/category and it's a whole other game. Potentially huge reward, but definitely risky.
It helps (understatement) if these entities have spent money to solve the problem (bonus point if the problem still persists/was not solved - find out why/how/when/how much). (They have a budget to solve a problem they're aware of but the problem persists or the solution is sub-par). There's actual demand from someone who can pay.
It helps to talk with an agent who can sign a purchase order/check/ or swipe a credit card in a low-touch self service mode. Even more so if said agent has skin in the game/stake/a vested interest (reward/punishment with regards to the outcome of solving the problem/failure to do so).
Scope. Success criteria. Job to be done. Metrics. What does it look like when the problem is solved. Decision makers/owners, decision process (one? many? committee? veto? exec decision to green-light sufficient in spite of? no-go if anyone disagrees? discretionary spending and credit card swipe?)
Then start thinking about a potential solution or product that solves that problem.
There are some good industry practices that should be taken in consideration - the mom test etc etc, but in general I'm believer that you should take your own path, define your audience and find your channels.
Stop feeling the FOMO and just build a good product, talk honestly to customers, experiment with some channels and see what happens.
Mr Beast rules YT. It doesn't mean if you replicate his steps how he got there you will also. Same with all the startup funders who exited and got famous. I call them the "startup elders".
Take in the advice, listen, but decide and don't blindly replicate.
We started rolling out beta for our startup after three years in stealth-mode - so that goes beyond initial logic of launch yesterday and send an MVP even if it is wireframe bla bla... I say f*ck that Bitconned shit (see the doc if you haven't). Our playbook is to find the right audience within our pace, get some very good users that really want to use the platform. Don't push things, just be patient and build and do right.
Let's see what happens, all these "trust me bros" that share huge MRR numbers doesn't mean that they built good and sustainable businesses...
The most effective method to validate by far is detailed in “The Mom Test”. Brutally effective, hard on most egos—but probably not yours.
Why is this a given?
> channel saturation
What does that mean?