The three stages of true product-market fit
Why most founders miss the real signals (and how to get it right)
Time: 3.40 Minutes
Last week I posted this X thread about product-market fit signals and realized how many entrepreneurs get this concept completely wrong…
Here's the truth:
PMF isn't just about initial excitement – it's about creating something people literally can't live without.
Too many founders mistake early enthusiasm for true fit.
"They asked how to buy it!"
Sure, that's encouraging during idea validation, but real PMF goes deeper than first impressions.
The journey to genuine product-market fit follows distinct stages…
So here a short blueprint how to achieve it: (for the full tour, click my X post)
Stage 1: Validate Before Building
Test demand cheaply and quickly.
Use "vibe marketing" with low-budget, ICP-centered ads to see if potential customers would actually buy.
With AI, these experiments are faster than ever.
Stage 2: Watch the Numbers
Once your MVP is live (and yes, it should be scrappy but COMPLETE), focus on:
Conversion rate: visitors → users
Retention: how many keep coming back
If conversions are broken, refine your offer.
If retention suffers, fix your features and UI.
The gold mine?
Talk to your "not fully satisfied" users – they hold the keys to improvement.
Stage 3: Scale Strategically
Only after proving users convert AND stay, you should scale.
This means:
Building operating systems that won't collapse under growth
Finding sales channels with ROI > 1
When…
Sales Profit - Operating Costs > 0
…congratulations.
You've reached TRUE product-market fit.
Remember: PMF isn't an event, it's an evolution.
So stay curious and iterate.
Your favourite Domi.
PS I would love if you can give me a follow at X here.
Feedback please! Help your favourite Domi to make all of this even better…
Click on a link to vote or use the comment section below:
Please share the Jupiter Dispatch with a friend and help me to grow.
Have an epic time, see you soon for the next Transmission…
👋
