Where’s the best place to publish if you’re starting content from scratch?

In this episode, Rob Walling flies solo, answering your questions on marketing and audience building. He covers what to do when your channels stop scaling, where to publish early on, and the "media company first" approach.

Episode Sponsor:

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• (1:50) – Can a SaaS founder exit through a management buyout?
• (6:46) – What to do when your marketing isn't scaling anymore
• (16:28) – How to market a product while searching for product-market fit
• (23:27) – Where to publish content when building an audience from scratch
• (27:38) – Should you build a media company before launching your SaaS?

• Get your Ticket for MicroConf Remote - November 5, 2025
• Exit Strategy
• The SaaS Playbook
• Rob Walling (@robwalling) | X
• Episode 576 | Don’t Become a Media Company (A Rob Solo Adventure)

If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

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Can churn ever be good in SaaS?

In this episode, Rob Walling is joined by fan favorite Derrick Reimer for a listener Q&A. They break down what it takes to compete with well-funded incumbents, how to decide whether to pivot or push forward, when a technical co-founder is truly necessary, the right time to think about trademarks, and the difference between “good churn” and “bad churn” especially when customers fall outside your ICP.

Episode Sponsor:

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• (3:35) – Competing with well-funded incumbents
• (12:47) – Should you focus on competitors or customers?
• (20:20) – Pivot, press on, or move on: how to decide
• (29:09) – Finding and vetting a technical co-founder or partner
• (39:04) – When should you pursue trademarks?
• (44:24) – Is churn ever good for a startup?

• MicroConf US 2026 - Portland, Oregon - Use Promo Code ROB50 for $50 off.
• MicroConf Connect
• BIMI (Brand Indicators for Message Identification)
• SavvyCal
• Derrick Reimer | LinkedIn
• Derrick Reimer (@derrickreimer) | X

If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

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What if you could get all 15 years of this podcast bundled up into one episode?

In episode 800, Rob Walling goes solo for a special milestone installment of Startups For the Rest of Us. He covers the 12 foundational commandments that shape his approach to SaaS, hard-won lessons forged from years of building, investing in, and advising startups.

• (3:46) – #1: Nuance beats absolutes
• (6:52) – #2: Make hard decisions with incomplete information
• (9:16) – #3: Avoid the classic traps
• (12:22) – #4: Don't build without real evidence
• (15:14) – #5: Marketing beats product
• (19:08) – #6: Fewer customers, better customers
• (21:01) – #7: Respect (and fear) the platform
• (24:04) – #8: Build your network, not just your audience
• (26:30) – #9: Overnight success takes a decade
• (28:45) – #10: Stack small wins
• (31:22) – #11: Be careful who you listen to
• (33:15) – #12: The hardest battles are in your own head

• MicroConf US 2026 - Portland, Oregon - Use Promo Code ROB50 for $50 off.
• Invest in TinySeed Fund Three
• SaaS Playbook
• The Entrepreneur's Guide to Keeping Your Sh*t Together
• Exit Strategy
• Episode 685 | 7 Things You Should Never Do
• Episode 700 | Playing the Long Game
• Episode 735 | The 8 Levels of SaaS Platform Risk

If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

Subscribe & Review: iTunes | Spotify