Office Hours with Noah Kagan

In Noah's first Office Hours session, we discussed the following:

• Trust, transparency, and vetting concerns: Participants expressed frustration about unclear changes from software partners, difficulty verifying review authenticity, and concerns about insufficient vetting of tools (e.g. copycat or buggy products). Suggestions included adding detailed review breakdowns (like UX/UI or bug ratings) and community-led testing panels.
• Feature requests and community-driven improvements: There were many requests for features like transferring unused products post-refund window, reverse refunds, startup package suggestions, and curated recommendations based on industry. Participants also wanted easier ways to request or vote on tools and showcase how they’ve used their purchases.
• Desire for more value from AppSumo Plus & Office Hours: Many appreciated the call but wanted future sessions to focus more on Noah’s business advice and scaling insights. There was interest in turning Plus benefits into educational and collaborative opportunities (e.g. live workshops, more AMAs, community business-building case studies).

In Noah's second session, we discussed:

• Clarifying business offerings and messaging: A major theme was helping participants define their value proposition, ideal customer profile, and unique selling point. Many shared advice like: focus on outcomes (not just the process), clearly communicate your service, and validate ideas through early testing.
• Standing out in competitive markets: The group discussed how to navigate competition without obsessing over it. Tips included focusing on what makes you different, building customer loyalty, showcasing social proof, and improving visibility through platforms like Google Maps, Instagram, and Yelp. There was also encouragement to innovate and “build your moat” through great service and automation.
• Using community, automation, and partnerships to grow: Attendees recommended joining local groups like Chambers of Commerce, building trust through content (e.g., newsletters, YouTube), and using automation to streamline operations like reminders or check-ins. There was a strong emphasis on outreach, creating real value upfront, and leveraging word-of-mouth through referrals or partnerships.

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