Startups For the Rest of Us

Episode 804 | Positioning, Inventing a Category, Marketing Globally, and More Listener Questions (A Rob Solo Adventure)


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Can bootstrapped founders really invent a new category with AI or is it a trap?

In this solo episode, Rob Walling answers a fresh batch of listener questions covering SaaS marketing, global expansion, and strategic positioning. He shares advice on whether inventing a new product category is ever worth it and the nuances of updating your positioning after launch.

Want to get your question answered? Drop it here.

 Topics we cover: 
  • (2:53) – Vertical vs. horizontal vs. orthogonal positioning as a bootstrapper
  • (12:37) – Is AI making it easier to create a new category?
  • (21:19) – How to break through mental blocks and actually launch
  • (28:36) – Local vs. global marketing for SaaS
  • (33:01) – Self-driving cars: Rob’s past prediction and what reverse statistics can teach founders
  • Links from the Show: 
    • MicroConf Remote - Nov 5th, 2025 | Use promo code STARTUPS15 for 15% off your ticket.
    • TinySeed - SaaS accelerator for ambitious B2B founders
    • Invest in TinySeed 
    • Episode 783 | Bootstrapping ScrapingBee to $5M ARR and an 8-Figure Exit
    • Episode 728 | Bootstrapping Gymdesk to a More Than $32.5M Exit
    • If you have questions about starting or scaling a software business that you’d like for us to cover, please submit your question for an upcoming episode. We’d love to hear from you!

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      Startups For the Rest of UsBy Rob Walling

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