In a recent interview, Julian Nahum, the founder of Notion Forms, shared his journey of building a successful SaaS business that now generates over $400,000 annually. What’s even more impressive? He built the initial version of his product in just 6 days. This blog dives deep into Julian’s story, uncovering his strategies for finding ideas, validating them, marketing, and scaling his business. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, there’s a lot to learn from Julian’s approach.
Who is Julian and What Did He Build?
Julian is a 28-year-old solopreneur and the founder of Notion Forms, a form builder designed specifically for Notion users. Notion Forms allows users to create and embed forms directly into their Notion pages, solving a key pain point for Notion’s growing user base. Today, the product has close to 100,000 registered users and generates $37,000 in monthly recurring revenue (MRR).
But how did Julian go from a 9-to-5 software engineer to a successful solopreneur? Let’s break it down step by step.
The Origin Story: How Julian Found the Idea
1. Solving a Personal Pain Point
Julian was a long-time Notion user and loved the product. When Notion released its API, he saw an opportunity to build something that would enhance the platform. He noticed that Notion lacked a form-building feature, which was already popular in other tools like Airtable. This gap in functionality sparked the idea for Notion Forms.
2. Building on an Existing Platform
Instead of creating a standalone SaaS product, Julian chose to build on top of Notion. This approach had several advantages:
Existing Community: Notion already had a massive and passionate user base.
Easier Marketing: He could tap into Notion’s existing communities, such as subreddits and Facebook groups, to promote his product.
Faster Development: By focusing on a niche feature, Julian could build a minimum viable product (MVP) in just 6 days.
3. The Importance of Timing
Julian emphasizes that timing played a crucial role in his success. Notion had just released its API, and users were eager for new integrations. By being one of the first to address this need, Julian was able to capitalize on the growing demand.
Julian’s Framework for Finding Winning Ideas
1. Solve Your Own Problems
Julian believes that the best ideas come from solving your own pain points. If you’re your own user, it’s easier to understand the product’s flows and identify areas for improvement. However, he also cautions that sometimes your problem might be unique, so it’s essential to validate the idea with others.
2. Talk to People
Julian loves talking to people from different industries and career paths. These conversations often reveal inefficiencies or repetitive tasks that could be automated. For example, he discovered that some of his friends spent hours daily on tasks that could easily be streamlined with the right tools.
3. Stay Curious on Social Media
Platforms like Twitter are goldmines for discovering new trends and opportunities. Julian recommends following thought leaders, engaging in conversations, and staying updated on emerging technologies. This habit can spark ideas that you can later apply to solve specific problems.
Validating Ideas: Julian’s Process
1. Build an MVP Quickly
Julian’s approach to validation is simple: build an MVP as fast as possible. He spent just 6 days creating the first version of Notion Forms and then shared it with as many people as he could. This allowed him to gather immediate feedback and iterate quickly.
2. Focus on Core Value
Instead of adding too many features, Julian focused on delivering the core value of the product. For Notion Forms, this meant enabling users to create and embed forms seamlessly. By keeping the MVP simple, he was able to test the idea without overcommitting time or resources.
3. Reuse Code and Tools
As a solopreneur, Julian prioritizes efficiency. He reuses code and UI components from previous projects, which allows him to build new products faster. Over time, this approach has made him more proficient and reduced the time required to launch new ideas.
Marketing Strategies That Worked
1. Leveraging Existing Communities
Julian’s initial marketing strategy was straightforward: he shared Notion Forms in all the Notion-related communities he could find online. This included:
Reddit: Subreddits dedicated to Notion were particularly effective.
Facebook Groups: Julian found that Facebook groups for Notion users were highly active and engaged.
Twitter: While Twitter has a cold start problem, Julian recommends interacting with influencers and building genuine connections to grow your audience.
2. Viral Loop Strategy
One of Julian’s most effective growth strategies was creating a viral loop. Notion Forms allows users to create and share forms, which naturally exposes the product to new audiences. For example, when someone embeds a form on their website, visitors who interact with the form are likely to discover Notion Forms. Julian also added a “Built with Notion Forms” badge, similar to Product Hunt’s “Product of the Day” badge, to encourage users to promote the product.
3. Product Launches
While Julian acknowledges that product launches can generate buzz, he believes they are somewhat overrated. For Notion Forms, the launch brought traffic and backlinks but didn’t result in immediate sales. Instead, he focused on building a product that users loved and relied on word-of-mouth growth.
Monetization: Turning Users into Paying Customers
1. Starting with a Free Product
Notion Forms was entirely free during its beta phase. Julian used this time to gather feedback and build trust with users. As he added new features, he tagged them as “Pro” features, letting users know they would eventually be paid.
2. Flipping the Switch
Once the product had enough features, Julian introduced a subscription model. He offered early users a 40% lifetime discount as a thank-you for their support. The first sale was a nerve-wracking experience, but the revenue grew steadily over time.
3. Pricing Experiments
Julian initially priced Notion Forms lower than competitors, given its limited feature set. Over time, he experimented with increasing prices and adding premium plans. Surprisingly, these changes had little impact on conversion rates, allowing him to grow revenue without losing customers.
Tools and Tech Stack
Julian’s tech stack is a testament to his focus on efficiency and familiarity:
- Backend: PHP with the Laravel framework.
- Frontend: Vue.js with Next.js for fast page loads.
- Database: PostgreSQL.
- Hosting: AWS.
- Subscription Billing: Stripe.
- Analytics: Amplitude for tracking user behavior.
- Customer Support: Crisp for chat support.
- Error Tracking: Sentry.
- Roadmap Management: FeatureBase for public roadmaps and feature requests.
Lessons Learned and Advice for Aspiring Founders
1. Bias for Action
Julian’s biggest piece of advice is to start as soon as possible. Overthinking and delaying can kill motivation. By launching quickly, you can gather feedback, iterate, and build momentum.
2. Don’t Be Shy
Share your ideas with as many people as possible. Feedback is crucial for validating your concept and improving your product.
3. The Risk is Smaller Than You Think
Julian emphasizes that the perceived risk of starting a business is often exaggerated. As a software engineer, he knew he could always find another job if things didn’t work out. Taking the leap is worth it, even if the outcome is uncertain.
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