How to Achieve Product-Market Fit (If You Don’t Have it Yet)
Step 1: Solve a Meaningful Problem for Your Target audience.
Are you solving a problem your target market really cares about? Not a nice-to-have. Not a “Yeah, that’s pretty cool.” I’m talking about a forehead-slapping, “Where has this been all my life?” kind of solution. If it’s not hitting that level, you’re not there yet. Look for better problems to solve. Pivot if you need to.
Step 2: Engage with Customers and See How They’re Reacting.
This isn’t the time to sit behind your laptop and guess what’s working. Get out there. Pick up the phone. Jump on sales calls. Ask your customers directly: What would you do if you suddenly couldn’t use this product anymore?
If you’re solving a meaningful problem, they’ll tell you. They’ll light up. They’ll thank you. And here’s the kicker—you’ll also start hearing about the stuff your product isn’t solving yet. That’s pure gold and could lead to more product innovation and opportunities for expansion revenue.
Step 3: Look for Strong Retention and Engagement Metrics.
Here’s where founders get it wrong: they obsess over acquisition—how many customers they’re getting. That’s important, sure, but again: product-market fit isn’t about the initial spike in users. It’s about what happens after they sign up.
NPS scores: Check in at 3 and 6 months. Are greece telegram data people still enthusiastic?
Retention rates: Are your customers renewing or coming back regularly?
Customer lifetime value: How much are they worth over time?
If people love what you’ve built, they won’t just buy it once. They’ll keep coming back. That’s the real test of whether your product solves a problem in a way that lasts.
Common PMF Mistakes Founders Make
Mistake 1: Focusing on Marketing or Sales Hacks while Neglecting Customer Satisfaction
Marketing and sales hacks can work. But do you have a product-market fit or do you have a marketing fit? You can have a killer sales and marketing strategy that creates tons of momentum and virality, but if your customers are churning, then all you’re left with is… a killer sales and marketing strategy. Not product-market fit.