Is bootstrapping a SaaS dead in 2025? How will AI affect software development as an industry? What's working when it comes to marketing?

Justin Jackson (Transistor.fm) and Brian Casel (Instrumental Products) are joined by Colleen Schnettler (SaaS Marketing Gym) and Tyler King (Less Annoying CRM) to debate our predictions for the new year.

CHAPTERS:
0:00 - What to expect
3:25 - Is SaaS Getting Harder in 2025?
5:16 - Bootstrapped SaaS is past its prime
8:32 - "Can you really build a good product with AI?"
12:00 - "No-Code is in trouble, AI makes product discovery harder, SaaS goldrush is over."
14:17 - What kind of business should you start in 2025?
16:34 - AI can't replace the craft and expertise required to launch a good product
19:06 - Is it harder to go from Zero to One?
20:23 - Marketing predictions - what's going to work this year?
27:58 - "Nothing works. Marketing is bullshit." – Tyler King
30:43 - People want to interact with real humans (Reddit, podcasts, YouTube)
32:14 - Organic search is still big (but AI is sending some traffic)
34:20 - How you can win against AI and other competitors: customer support
36:33 - A bootstrapper's advantage is that they're small and they care
39:27 - Question for the listener: have you had a good customer support experience with AI chatbots?
40:27 - Another tactic that might work: get people on the phone!
42:07 - Should we all short Tesla stock?
45:19 - Our plans for 2025

Tell us what you think! 🗣️

• 🎤 Send us an audio or video message
• 📧 Email us: [email protected]
• 📺 Leave a comment on YouTube
• 🦋 Reply on Bluesky

Find us on Bluesky:

• Colleen Schnettler – @leenyburger.bsky.social
• Tyler King – @tylerking.app
• Justin Jackson – @justinjackson.ca
• Brian Castle – @briancasel.com

Links mentioned in the episode:

• 🧰 Instrumental Products
• 🏋️‍♀️ SaaS Marketing Gym
• 📂 Simple File Upload
• 📇 Less Annoying CRM
• 🎙️ Startup to Last Podcast
• 🎤 Transistor podcast hosting

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