So, we’ve quickly built our MVP, and now we’re in the beta testing phase. We’ve been hustling to collect valuable feedback to iterate our product, but we’re hitting a bit of a roadblock trying to break out of our initial circle.
We’re using TestFlight for our beta testing, and while I’ve managed to rope in some friends and family, it’s proving to be quite a mission to get others to download the TestFlight app. (Am I the only one feeling this struggle?)
Out of the 101 people I reached out to, only 40 actually downloaded the app. As I grapple with this challenge, I’m left wondering why other members in our team haven’t even invited a single friend. It’s bugging me, and I’m feeling the stress, but how do I navigate this kind of behavior?

  • theredhype@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    First of all, 40% seems like a fantastic download rate. I’d be very happy with those numbers, especially if you can maintain that for another hundred.

    A bigger question is whether those 40 people are using the app and giving feedback. Are they?

    With regard to enabling your team to help recruit and evangelize, how much of the following have you done?

    • prepare several versions of messaging and spoon feed it to the team, so that they don’t have to think about how to ask friends to sign up.
    • get all potential beta testers on an email list for easy news blasts and updates. This way you can ask those who haven’t download to do it.
    • create a beta testing group home, like a discord server, so that you can easily communicate with all who are interested. Use this for onboarding testers. If you can people into that server you can support them better, and ensure people don’t get stuck on the installation process
    • create veeeeery easy step by step guidance for becoming and being a good tester and feedback giver
    • set expectations up front about what being a beta tester involves. Installing TestFlight and giving good feedback are new concepts for most people. It seems weird if you haven’t done it before. The installation process is strange and unfamiliar.
    • create internal updates about beta tester recruitment, perhaps as part of your daily or weekly standups, in which you note progress and encourage folks to share what’s working and what isn’t
    • hold a team meeting for strategizing how to find good beta testers. Brainstorm tactics and see if you can get the team thinking about how to pull this off.
    • once some of these assets are in place, have a beta tester recruitment kickoff pizza party, during work hours, where the only task on the agenda is recruiting testers

    Keep in mind that many people simply aren’t comfortable recruiting friends and family. And many people don’t have that many friends to ask. It may just not be what they signed up for. In that case, explore strategies focused on strangers rather than acquaintances.