STEP 6.1: A CASE STUDY
Expands His Reach
Sam's SaaS tool is growing steadily with freelance writers. Now that he has a stable product, it's time to brainstorm how to scale his business and his impact.
The Challenge
How can Sam grow his app without having to start from scratch? He wants to leverage the product and momentum he's already built.
The Action
Sam uses the 'Ecosystem Expansion' Model to brainstorm growth opportunities.
1. New Products (Go Deeper)
Sam thinks about his current users. "They're managing projects. What do they do before that?"
- Idea 1: A "Proposal" feature to help writers create and send professional proposals to win new clients.
- Idea 2: A time-tracking feature.
2. New Markets (Go Wider)
"Who else has the same admin problem as freelance writers?"
- Idea 1: Freelance graphic designers.
- Idea 2: Social media managers.
- Idea 3: Virtual assistants.
3. Strategic Partnerships
"Who is already talking to my ideal customers?"
- Partner with popular writing courses or newsletters to offer their audience an exclusive discount.
- Integrate with a payment processor to make invoicing even smoother.
The Outcome
After brainstorming, Sam has a list of concrete ideas for new features, new customer segments, and strategic partnerships, giving him a clear roadmap for growth beyond his initial niche.