The Sean Ellis Survey: A Guide to Using it Right
The Sean Ellis Survey: A Guide to Using It Right
Achieving product-market fit (PMF) is a pivotal milestone for startups, indicating that a product effectively satisfies a significant market demand. The Sean Ellis Survey, also known as the "40% Rule," offers a straightforward method to assess PMF by gauging customer sentiment.Learning Loop
What Is the Sean Ellis Survey?
Developed by Sean Ellis, a growth expert behind companies like Dropbox and Eventbrite, the survey centers on a single, critical question:Youform+1Learning Loop+1
"How would you feel if you could no longer use [product]?"Zonka Feedback+8Learning Loop+8Youform+8
Respondents choose from:pmfsurvey.com
- Very disappointedLinkedIn+6Retently CX+6Learning Loop+6
- Somewhat disappointedZonka Feedback+1Retently CX+1
- Not disappointed (it really isn’t that useful)SurveySensum+3Zonka Feedback+3pisano.com+3
If at least 40% of users respond with "Very disappointed," it's a strong indicator of product-market fit Learning Loop.
How to Implement the Survey Effectively
- Target the Right Users: Survey users who have experienced the core functionality of your product, ideally those who have used it multiple times in the recent past.
- Distribute Thoughtfully: Integrate the survey within your product interface or send it via email to ensure higher response rates.
- Analyze the Results: Calculate the percentage of "Very disappointed" responses to determine your PMF score.
- Follow-Up Questions: Incorporate open-ended questions to gain deeper insights:
- What is the main benefit you receive from [product]?
- What type of person do you think would benefit most from [product]?
- How can we improve [product] for you?
Interpreting the Results
- Above 40% "Very Disappointed": Strong product-market fit; consider scaling.pmfsurvey.com+5Retently CX+5pisano.com+5
- 30-40%: Promising; identify areas for improvement.Zonka Feedback
- Below 30%: Reevaluate your product's value proposition and target audience.LinkedIn
Remember, the survey is a tool to guide product development and should be used in conjunction with other feedback mechanisms .
Tools to Facilitate the Survey
- PMFsurvey.com: A free tool to run the Sean Ellis test and measure product-market fit.LinkedIn+5pmfsurvey.com+5Learning Loop+5
- Zonka Feedback: Provides a customizable template for the Sean Ellis PMF Survey.SurveySensum+7Zonka Feedback+7Retently CX+7
Implementing the Sean Ellis Survey can provide valuable insights into how well your product meets market needs. By understanding customer sentiment, you can make informed decisions to enhance your product's value proposition and achieve sustainable growth.Zonka Feedback