It’s time to get serious about commercialization…

Early Stage Open source Startups

If you have an open source project that is out in the wild and has some users and you are on the cusp of releasing a commercial product, and want to have a clear positioning thesis in preparation for the commercial launch, this option is for you.

Note: If you are only focused on open source growth right now, this option is not for you. The focus of my work is on helping open source company jump from project growth to revenue growth, so get back in touch when you’re ready for the commercial launch.

The work I do with companies at this stage is very similar to the work I do with companies who already have a commercial product. However, at this stage the positioning is going to be more of a best guess, because we have less information about what commercial customers actually think about the product.

The alternatives to working with me are similar: You could talk it through with your investors, you could work with a consultant who doesn’t understand open source companies or you could work it out on your own.

Ideally, though, you’d work with someone who only does positioning for open source companies, who really understands the challenges and opportunities that are unique to open source companies. And who can not only help you re-write your ReadMe, but already knows WTF a ReadMe is.

So what do we do, anyway? Like my other work, we do a workshop together, either virtually or as as a leadership off-site. After working together, you’ll have:

  • Clarity on how to position your project, product and company in the ecosystem, including the market category you want to compete in right now and the differentiated value your project/product delivers

  • A framework for how your project, product and company should be positioning in relation to each other, including the difference in differentiated value, target market and competitive alternatives between them.

There are also some concrete deliverables after working together. Namely:

  • A positioning canvas for product, project and company, that can be easily shared with the entire team as well as outside collaborators

  • A product and project roadmap for the next six months

  • We’ll re-write the project ReadMe together

  • We’ll re-write your company homepage

  • We’ll re-write your sales narrative to reflect the new positioning

Think this option might be a good fit for you? Get in touch and we’ll see if it’s right.

 
 

Get Started

Before we work together, I have to be confident that a) your problem is positioning and b) everyone on the leadership team is willing to change your positioning. Schedule a discovery call to see if working together makes sense.