In this episode, I chat with Dmytro, the founder of ScreenshotOne.com, about his journey bootstrapping a SaaS tool that automates website screenshots. We dive into real-life use cases, how he grew to $20K MRR without investors, and the challenges he faced early on. Dmytro shares his SEO strategies, how he found his ideal customers, and what motivates him now that money isn’t the main driver. It’s a candid look at building, growing, and finding meaning as an indie founder.

Twitter

Dmytro: https://x.com/DmytroKrasun

Tiago: https://x.com/wbetiago

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Product Overview (00:00:01)

Real-World Use Cases (00:00:43)

Growth Milestone and Bootstrapping (00:03:25)

Early Expectations and First Customers (00:04:17)

Previous Projects and Choosing ScreenshotOne (00:05:42)

Competition and Market Validation (00:08:01)

Slow Early Growth and Customer Profile (00:10:41)

Understanding and Targeting ICP (00:13:32)

Marketing Channels and SEO Strategy (00:17:40)

Content Strategy and Backlinks (00:20:19)

Traffic and Conversion Sources (00:29:12)

Growth Acceleration After ICP Focus (00:31:52)

Churn: Customer vs. Revenue (00:32:15)

Churn Reduction Tactics (00:36:59)

Solo Founder and Task Prioritization (00:39:04)

Metrics and Daily Operations (00:43:07)

Reaching Financial Goals and Motivation (00:45:07)

Future Plans and Personal Fulfillment (00:48:13)

Closing and Where to Find Dmytro (00:53:23)

I share my journey into B2B sales, detailing the strategies that helped me land clients for my company, Podsqueeze. I discuss the differences between B2B and B2C, the importance of identifying target leads, and effective outreach methods, including using WhatsApp. I cover the demo process, follow-up negotiations, and the significance of maintaining customer relationships post-sale. I emphasize the need for patience and persistence in B2B sales, as well as the importance of setting appropriate pricing. Finally, I reflect on my experiences in Portugal and the challenges of expanding into other markets.

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Podcast Consistency (00:00:08)

B2B vs. B2C Sales Overview (00:02:05)

Podsqueeze’s Client Types and Initial Focus (00:03:11)

Shifting to B2B and Sales Process Stages (00:04:23)

Finding Leads and Identifying Champions (00:05:30)

Making First Contact: What Works and What Doesn’t (00:07:45)

Crafting Effective Outreach Messages (00:10:51)

Scheduling and Conducting Product Demos (00:12:53)

Demo Best Practices and Collecting Feedback (00:14:52)

Follow-Up and Negotiations (00:15:48)

Role of Conferences and Building Relationships (00:16:50)

Navigating Internal Company Processes (00:20:51)

Free Trials, Deadlines, and Closing the Sale (00:22:43)

Post-Sale: Customer Success and Retention (00:24:27)

Reflections and Future Plans (00:26:17)

Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement (00:27:18)

I share a recent breakthrough in my entrepreneurial journey with Podsqueeze. After experimenting with various marketing strategies, I discovered the power of targeted press releases. Initially, I struggled with traditional PR methods, but I found success by reaching out to niche podcasting newsletters. This approach not only increased our visibility but also connected us directly with our target audience. I emphasize the importance of finding your niche and leveraging industry-specific channels for effective outreach. Tune in to learn how to apply these insights to your own projects!

Timestamps by PodSqueeze

Introduction and Podcast Promotion (00:00:07)

Early Perceptions of Entrepreneurship (00:01:12)

First Tech Job and Startup Culture (00:02:25)

Discovering Bootstrapping vs. VC Startups (00:04:48)

Growth Plateau and Entrepreneurial Skills (00:05:57)

Defining Startups vs. Businesses (00:07:00)

Learning Marketing Channels (00:08:02)

Initial Attempts at PR and Press Releases (00:09:16)

Press Release Agencies and Fiverr Experience (00:11:31)

Understanding Press Release Feeds (00:13:48)

Breakthrough with Niche Newsletters (00:16:53)

Success with Newsletter Outreach (00:18:57)

Key Lesson: Go Niche for PR (00:21:16)

Closing and Call to Action (00:22:18)

Here are the mentions with timestamps arranged by topic:

Tools and Websites

"Twitter": "00:00:07"

"Fiverr": "00:11:31"

"Reddit": "00:17:57"

"Yahoo": "00:14:54"

"MSN": "00:14:54"

"Google": "00:08:02"

Concepts and Terms

"Press Releases": "00:09:16"

"SEO (Search Engine Optimization)": "00:08:02"

"Backlinks": "00:09:16"

"Cold Emails": "00:08:02"

"Niche Marketing": "00:21:16"

Notable Mentions

"Podsqueeze": "00:05:57"

"ChatGPT": "00:16:53"

"Peter Levels": "00:04:48"

Summary of Key Points

"The importance of finding niche newsletters for press releases": "00:21:16"

"The difference between startups and bootstrapping businesses": "00:07:00"

"The realization of using press releases effectively within the podcasting community": "00:18:57"