How to leverage "Side-Projects" for your SaaS growth?


Leveraging side projects can be a powerful strategy for SaaS growth. Side projects can help you attract new users, increase brand visibility, and even generate additional revenue streams. Here are some steps to leverage side projects effectively for SaaS growth:

1. Align with your core product

Ensure that your side project aligns with your core SaaS product. It should complement your main offering or target a related audience. This alignment will allow you to cross-promote and leverage your existing user base effectively.

2. Identify your goals

Clearly define the goals you want to achieve with your side project. It could be acquiring new users, increasing brand awareness, generating leads, or creating additional revenue streams. Having a clear vision will guide your strategy and help you measure success.

3. Allocate resources

Dedicate the necessary resources, including time, budget, and team members, to your side project. While it's called a "side" project, it still requires a focused effort to succeed. Ensure you have the capacity to manage both your core product and the side project effectively.

4. Create value

Develop a side project that provides value to your target audience. It could be a free tool, a content hub, a community platform, or a niche product. The more value you offer, the more likely people will engage with your project and eventually become interested in your core SaaS product.

5. Cross-promote

Leverage your existing user base and marketing channels to promote your side project. Utilize email marketing, social media, content marketing, and any other relevant channels to raise awareness about your side project among your target audience. Also, ensure prominent visibility on your main website or app to drive traffic to the side project.

6. Capture leads

Use your side project as an opportunity to capture leads and grow your email list or user base. Implement lead capture mechanisms such as email subscriptions, gated content, or registration forms. This will enable you to nurture relationships with potential customers and market your core SaaS product to them.

7. Measure and iterate

Continuously monitor the performance of your side project and track its impact on your SaaS growth goals. Analyze metrics such as user engagement, conversion rates, revenue generated, and customer feedback. Use these insights to iterate, refine, and optimize your side project strategy over time.

8. Monetize strategically

If your side project has the potential to generate revenue, explore monetization options that align with your overall SaaS business. It could include offering premium features, implementing advertising, creating partnerships, or even spinning off the side project into a separate revenue-generating entity.

9. Learn from user behaviour

Pay attention to how users interact with your side project. Identify patterns, pain points, and areas of opportunity. Use these insights to improve your core SaaS product or develop new features that address user needs and preferences.

10. Scale selectively

As your side project gains traction and contributes to SaaS growth, evaluate scalability options. Determine whether you want to scale the side project further, integrate it into your core product, or explore new side project opportunities. Make strategic decisions based on the potential impact on your business and available resources.