Crafting the First Mile of Product: A Guide for Product Managers

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Hatched by Glasp

Aug 14, 2023

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Crafting the First Mile of Product: A Guide for Product Managers

In the fast-paced world of technology and product development, the first 15 seconds are crucial. Users have limited time and are looking for immediate gratification. They want to look good quickly and know what immediate benefits your product can offer them. As a product manager, it is important to understand these user behaviors and tailor your product's first mile to meet their needs.

One common behavior that many users exhibit is the impulse to jump back into a social product after posting something for others to see. This is because our ego is on the line. We want to see how others react to what we've shared. Understanding this need for validation, it is important to create a product that provides immediate novelty or utility. By doing so, you engage users and keep them coming back for more.

When it comes to explaining your product, less is more. Users don't want to make choices, especially in the first mile. Life and new products are hard enough as it is. Instead of trying to be original, use familiar terms that users can easily understand. Opt for solutions that are effective rather than creative. This will help users navigate and understand your product more easily, leading to a more positive user experience.

The first mile of a user's experience is the top of your funnel for new users. It sets the tone for the rest of their journey with your product. Therefore, it should not be an afterthought but the most thought-out part of your product. Allocate at least 30% of your energy to the first mile to ensure that it is engaging, intuitive, and provides immediate value.

While it is important to focus on power users and cater to their needs, don't forget about new users. They are the real source of growth for your product. It's a paradox of success that as you focus more on power users, you may stop engaging new users. To maintain growth, it is essential to continuously attract and engage new types of users.

In order to be a good product manager, you must have a deep understanding of the market, product, product line, and competition. This knowledge will give you the confidence to make informed decisions and devise winning plans. Take responsibility for your product's success and avoid making excuses.

A good product manager should not get consumed by the various organizations that need to work together to deliver the right product at the right time. Instead, they should manage the product team and ensure that everyone is aligned and working towards a common goal. Focus on defining the target and managing the delivery of the "what" rather than getting caught up in the details of how it will be done.

Creating leverageable collateral, such as FAQs, presentations, and white papers, is a key responsibility of a good product manager. Anticipate potential product flaws and develop real solutions to address them. Take a stance on important issues and guide the team towards revenue and customer-focused decisions.

Think in terms of delivering superior value to the market during the planning phase and achieving market share and revenue goals during the outbound phase. Decompose problems to better understand and tackle them. Ask the press questions and assume that they are intelligent. Prioritize clarity over explaining the obvious. And most importantly, be disciplined in sending status reports on time every week.

In conclusion, crafting the first mile of your product is crucial for attracting and retaining users. Understanding their behaviors and needs will help you create a user experience that provides immediate value and keeps them engaged. Remember to allocate a significant amount of your energy to the first mile and never underestimate the importance of new users in driving growth. By embodying the qualities of a good product manager, you can ensure the success of your product and deliver superior value to the market.

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