Find the first users through five useful conversations
Replace assumptions about buyers with observable evidence.
01Pick a reachable audience
Define one role, one situation and a place where you can reach potential users. Qiyue suggests five initial conversations as a manageable exercise, not a statistically sufficient sample.
02Ask about a recent event
Ask what happened last time, what workaround was used, the time involved and who makes the buying decision. Record facts rather than hypothetical enthusiasm. Explain the purpose and protect personal information.
03Offer a bounded delivery
Try a small report, workflow or prototype that addresses the problem. Observe the person completing the task. Manual delivery can reveal what is actually worth automating.
04Record a concrete next step
Separate polite praise from supplying a sample, booking a trial or paying for a pilot. Review repeated problems, alternatives and commitments before building more.
Five conversations are an exercise, not proof of demand. Obtain permission before publishing customer material.
Sources & further reading
An original Qiyue synthesis of these sources. Suggested actions are not platform guarantees.