In 2024, my LinkedIn impressions fell by over 50%.
Yet my side hustle doubled to $126K ARR.
Six things I've learned you can apply to your SaaS product:
1. Vanity metrics
Metrics like views and reactions are useless.
But giving up those dopamine boosts was challenging. Inspired by Aakash Gupta, I started ignoring those numbers and focused on delivering the right value to the right audience to get the right engagement.
2. Focus
Tradeoffs—things you don't do—are essential.
What’s particularly tough for me is rejecting dedicated training requests, which would be easy wins. But I need to stay focused, especially having a full-time job as a PM.
Strategy is not just about what you choose. It's even more importantly about saying no to other things.
3. Purpose
Revenue is a terrible motivator, even for founders. You quickly get used to any number.
I paywall fewer posts than I declare, keep my prices lower than everyone recommends and publish opinions that contradict what some expect to hear.
But nothing beats the feeling of being true to yourself and getting feedback you're doing something that matters.
4. Diversification
Many experts, such as Justin Welsh, suggest building multiple revenue streams. This would mean adding training, consulting, etc., to the newsletter.
But those products would drain my time and energy.
And they wouldn't address the risk of relying on LinkedIn—a single partner that could change the rules at any time and disrupt all those “diversified streams.”
Instead, I focus on diversifying my marketing channels. I'm particularly happy that SEO visits have surpassed LinkedIn.
5. Failure
You will be wrong. A lot. And that’s okay. Getting things right requires trying and failing over and over again.
If you could optimize just one thing, maximize the speed of learning.
6. Mental health
This one is challenging. At nearly 40 years old, I can no longer work 60 hours a week. I struggled with burnout in the past and this could happen again.
What helps:
- Pareto principle & Impact vs. Effort.
- Trust and context rather than control.
- Applying automation (RPA, LLMs, AI agents).
- Support groups & learning together.
- Physical activity at least twice a week.
- Making time for my family.
Hope that helps.
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Enjoy this?
🎁 My full post with more stats and insights. No paywall: https://lnkd.in/dsQ5zxA2
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Many thanks to people who’ve been supporting me through the year, in particular, but not limited to: Aakash Gupta, David Pereira, Maarten Dalmijn, Maja Voje, and Aatir Abdul Rauf ❤️🙏