HowTheyGotUsersHowTheyGotUsers

Interview Hundreds of Users to Build a Switching Wedge

Interview Hundreds of Users to Build a Switching Wedge is a first users & traction tactic for getting your first users: Survey large numbers of target users about what they hate in incumbent products, then turn the blunt complaints directly into differentiating features that pull them over.

It's a strong fit for teams of almost any kind, and works especially well for Products attacking an entrenched incumbent. As a first users & traction play, plan for high effort and expect results to build gradually over time, all grounded in 1 linked primary source.

First users & tractionHigh effortSlow

Why does first users & traction work for this?

Building features straight from incumbents' weak points gives users a concrete reason to switch, and the interviewees become a warm launch audience.

The exact steps (4)

The full step-by-step this founder ran, what they posted, where, and in what order, plus the watch-outs, is part of the library.

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Sources

Works for
Any / universal

Frequently asked

How is the "Interview Hundreds of Users to Build a Switching Wedge" tactic verified?
It is drawn from 1 primary source — a real founder write-up or interview, not generic advice. It is linked in the Sources section above so you can read the original account yourself.
How much effort is it and how fast are results?
It is high effort, and results tend to be slow.
Where can I see the exact step-by-step?
The full step-by-step a founder ran, documented via Source — IndieHackers, is in the paid library.

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