Making the Most of a Self-Serve Product

Using a self-serve solution can sometimes be frustrating, even if you’re a tech-savvy buyer. 

To make sure you get the most out of such a solution without losing your mind way or playing virtual tag with the seller, we’ve sourced some tricks of the trade 🎩

Keep reading to find out how you can: 

Make the most of a self-serve product

Is the Self-Serve Product Right for You? 

According to Anthony Conrad, (Sales Manager, DocStudio) figuring out if the self-serve solution is right for you is critical if you want to make the most of it.

• Evaluate if the tech can actually solve your problem. Tools are cool but do they actually solve your pain point? Evaluate this on day 1 of testing the solution. Design a document on whatever platform you love and map your objective and the key metrics you want the tool to achieve. This is your new team member, hold them to the same standards!

• Include decision-makers in the process.  Being ahead of the curve of your org doesn’t help when nobody thinks the solution is that great. Include those who make the decision and ensure the solution fits what they want. Prioritize their dream state, improved state, and what could cause tech stack roadblocks for them.

• Test the product and move on if it's not the right choice. Trial creep hurts everyone and wastes time. If you don’t see the Cinderella slipper fit, move to the solution that works. Treat the test period like a sprint and have stretch goals and objectives. Include specific buyer/user journeys for each member who's evaluating so your data isn't based on your gut and will make it easier to justify when your leadership wants to cut costs.

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Resources that Set You Up For Success

Raoul Bornhauser ( Team Lead - Paid Growth, YOYABA) and Charlotte Plats (Marketing Lead, trumpet) encourage you to look for a range of resources that can help you achieve what you want with the product. 

Raoul recommends:

• A recorded product demo 
• Ungated educational content that answers all your questions about the product

Charlotte recommends:

• Training resources such as videos, tutorials, and interactive demos (Storylane cough cough), to learn about the solution in your own time and pace
• User forums to engage and learn from the product’s existing customers in the community
• Helpful tooltips and pop-ups that point out key features and provide guidance
• Customer service chatbots that easily connect you to a real person for more important questions
• Knowledge bases, FAQs, or async video tutorials to troubleshoot issues. 
• A single place like a microsite (usually built using a tool like trumpet), where all onboarding and product materials are stored

And with that, we’re calling it a day! 

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