FIELD GUIDE 01—06

Six ways to build.
One next question.

Use this as a comparison, not a verdict. Look at what each model asks of you, choose one worth investigating, then get specific about its buyer and problem.

Compare the six models
YOUR FIELD NOTESChoose what to test.
Change your mind as you learn.

Choose by tradeoff,
not by trend.

Each model can work for the right person and problem. Start with the questions that reveal what you would need to make it work.

01

SaaS

A software tool for a specific, recurring business problem.

WHY IT CAN FIT

Subscriptions can create recurring revenue that compounds over time.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

You need coding ability or a technical cofounder, plus a problem people keep having.

FIRST QUESTION

Can you reach a business that has this problem every week or month?

02

Marketplace

A place that connects buyers and sellers in a focused niche.

WHY IT CAN FIT

A useful network can become valuable as more of the right people join.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

You have to attract both sides and make the first exchange work.

FIRST QUESTION

Can you bring a first buyer and a first seller together by hand?

03

Digital products & courses

Templates, software kits, or teaching for a well-defined audience.

WHY IT CAN FIT

Digital delivery can leave room for high margins.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

You usually need to build an audience before the product can travel.

FIRST QUESTION

Do you know where this audience already gathers and what they want to learn?

04

E-commerce brand

A differentiated physical product, ideally one customers buy again.

WHY IT CAN FIT

A strong brand and repeat purchases can support growth.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

Advertising costs and inventory can put real pressure on cash.

FIRST QUESTION

What makes this product meaningfully different, and can you test that before ordering stock?

05

Content & audience

A newsletter, channel, or niche publication built around a subject.

WHY IT CAN FIT

An audience can become an asset for sponsorships, subscriptions, or products.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

It takes time to earn attention before reliable monetization is likely.

FIRST QUESTION

Can you keep publishing useful work while the audience is still small?

06

Productized service

A standardized service with a clear scope and fixed price.

WHY IT CAN FIT

It can be easier to start by selling a service than building a product.

WHAT IT ASKS OF YOU

Revenue can depend on your time unless you systematize or hire.

FIRST QUESTION

Can you deliver the same valuable outcome in a repeatable way?

These are starting points for investigation. No model or niche is right for every founder.

Turn a model into
a testable idea.

Preparing your notes0 of 6 fields started
01

Name a specific kind of person or business. Where could you reach them?

02

Describe the situation, how often it happens, and what they do about it today.

03

Look for an existing spend, a paid workaround, or a concrete commitment—not just encouragement.

04

Choose a way to learn from a real person before investing heavily.

Your notes stay in this browser on this device.

Download the workbook
↗

A good next step can be modest: one conversation, one observed workaround, or one clear test of payment intent.

Return to the overview