Tactical SaaS Playbooks

Cold Email for Early-Stage SaaS 1. Build a list of 100 ideal customers (use LinkedIn Sales Navigator or Apollo) 2. Write 3 email variants — short, specific, and about THEIR problem 3. Send 20/day for 5 days. Track opens and replies 4. If reply rate < 5%, your positioning or ICP is wrong 5. If reply rate > 10%, you've found a nerve — double down

Template: "Hi {name}, I noticed {specific observation about their company}. We built {product} because {reason}. Would a 15-min demo be worth your time this week?"

The Product-Led Growth Checklist - [ ] Can users get value in < 5 minutes without talking to a human? - [ ] Is there a free tier or trial that demonstrates core value? - [ ] Do users naturally invite colleagues? (viral loop) - [ ] Is the upgrade moment tied to value, not arbitrary limits? - [ ] Do you have in-app onboarding that adapts to user behavior?

Reducing Churn: The 90-Day Framework - **Day 1-7**: Activation — user must complete one "aha" moment - **Day 7-30**: Engagement — establish a habit (email nudges, streaks) - **Day 30-60**: Integration — connect to existing workflows (API, Zapier, imports) - **Day 60-90**: Expansion — introduce advanced features, team features

Metric to track: 7-day retention rate. If users come back in week 2, they're 80% more likely to stay for 6 months.

The Pricing Page Framework 1. 3 tiers maximum (Good / Better / Best) 2. Highlight the middle tier as "Most Popular" 3. Anchor with a high-priced enterprise tier 4. Use value metrics (seats, usage, features) not arbitrary limits 5. Show annual pricing by default (with monthly as option) 6. Include social proof next to the CTA (testimonials, logos, user count)

Weekly Founder Review (30 min, every Sunday) 1. **Metrics check** (5 min): MRR, churn, new trials, conversion rate 2. **What worked?** (5 min): List 3 wins from the week 3. **What didn't?** (5 min): List 3 things that underperformed 4. **Priority for next week** (10 min): Choose ONE focus area 5. **Blockers** (5 min): What's stopping you? Who can help?

The Pre-Revenue Escape Plan If you're at $0 MRR after 3 months: 1. Do you have 10+ active users? If no → problem is distribution 2. Do users come back weekly? If no → problem is retention/value 3. Have you talked to 20 users this month? If no → you're guessing 4. Can you charge $1 for it? If no → the value isn't clear enough 5. Would you use this product yourself? If no → rebuild or pivot