Skip to main content

Lesson 3: Starting with Product-Avatars and Customer Interviews

· 2 min read
Max Kaido
Max Kaido
Architect

Lesson 3: Starting with Product-Avatars and Customer Interviews​

Objective​

To identify a real-world, successful product-avatar that serves a similar purpose to your envisioned product, and to conduct interviews with potential users or clients. The goal is to understand user needs and validate the market demand for your product.

Steps for This Week​

  1. Identify Your Product-Avatar

    • Find an existing, widely used, and paid solution in the market that addresses the same function as your product idea.
    • The product-avatar must:
      • Solve the same core problem your product aims to address.
      • Be familiar and accessible to users.
      • Be actively used and monetized (not an experimental or niche product).

  2. Plan Your Interviews

    • Locate 5–10 users who have purchased or used the product-avatar in the past year.
    • Prepare to contact them via Telegram, email, or other communication platforms. Meeting in person or through video calls is ideal.

  3. Conduct Interviews

    • Focus the conversation on their experience with the product-avatar.
    • Avoid discussing your product during the interview. Stay neutral and curious.

Key Metrics for the Week​

  • Revenue in the Last 24 Hours: Aim to generate revenue from early iterations or services, even if the product is still under development.
  • Number of Interviews Conducted: Track how many interviews you complete daily.

Interview Guide​

Ask the following questions about the product-avatar:

  1. How did you learn about this product?
  2. Why did you choose to purchase and use it? What problem does it solve for you?
  3. What prompted you to buy or start using it?
  4. What alternatives did you consider before choosing this product?
  5. What criteria influenced your decision (e.g., price, reviews, design)?

Today’s Task​

  1. Find a Product-Avatar

    • Identify one successful product-avatar that aligns with your product’s core functionality.
    • Example:
      • If your product translates text to audio, a product-avatar could be freelance services on Fiverr or Upwork.
      • If your product parses real estate listings into Excel, a product-avatar could be data scraping services offered by agencies.

  2. Define the Main Function

    • Specify the one primary function your product-avatar fulfills (e.g., translating text to audio, email extraction, etc.).

Deliverables:

  • Write a short comment outlining:
    • The name of your product-avatar.
    • Its main function.

Deadline: Submit your results by 9:00 PM tomorrow.

Let me know when you’re ready to proceed with identifying your product-avatar or planning interviews!