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MicroConf Tactics: Is Mailchimp the Greatest Bootstrapped SaaS Ever?

This is the story of MailChimp. Welcome to SaaS Legends, a series where Rob Walling tells the stories of the founders who built the most iconic software companies, and what you can learn from them. In this episode I break down how Ben Chestnut and Dan Kurzius accidentally invented freemium, said no to VCs for 20 years, and built one of the most valuable software companies ever created, without following anyone else’s playbook. Links from the Pod Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube channel Watch this video on YouTube Join MicroConf Connect Watch the full Ben Chestnut interview

MicroConf Tactics: The Real Reason SaaS Customers Cancel (here's how to fix it)

Every time a customer cancels, you tell yourself a story about why. Most of the time, that story is wrong. Rob Walling break down the biggest churn patterns I’ve seen kill SaaS companies and how to figure out which ones you can actually fix. Links from the Pod Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel Watch this video on YouTube The SaaS Playbook, Free Sample Chapter TinySeed Accelerator

MicroConf Tactics: The ‘Old Rules’ of SaaS Still Win

AI is changing SaaS, but not everything. Rob Walling breaks down the 5 fundamentals that still determine whether your business survives, and why ignoring them means no amount of AI will save you. Links from the Pod Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel MicroConf Mastermind Matching Program (Applications are open in the Fall) Senior Place

MicroConf Tactics: Not Sure How to Market Your SaaS? Start Here

Rob Walling has seen 5 B2B SaaS marketing strategies work over and over, and in this video, he breaks down how AI is changing each one in 2026, what's different (and what's not), and how to prioritize based on your product. Links from the Pod Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel MicroConf Connect Grab a free sample chapter of the SaaS Playbook The SaaS Playbook

MicroConf Tactics: SaaS is Hard Until You Learn These 4 Skills

Most SaaS founders hit a wall and can't figure out why they won't grow. After working with thousands of founders and investing in over 230 SaaS companies, I've found the same root cause almost every time: a gap in one of four core skills every SaaS needs to survive. In this video I'll break down what those skills are and what to do if you're missing one. Links from the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel Subscribe to Rob Walling's Essays Episode 807 | The “Core Four” SaaS Skills and Knowing When You Should Find a Co-founder (A Rob Solo Adventure) Episode 811 | When to Delegate the “Core Four SaaS Skills,” Freemium Retention Rates, and More Listener Questions (A Rob Solo Adventure) Episode 728 | Bootstrapping Gymdesk to a More Than $32.5M Exit TinySeed Portfolio

MicroConf Tactics: AI Ads Will Be The Next Land Grab (Here's How I'd Play It)

Early Google and Facebook ads felt like a cheat code. Then the advantage disappeared. AI chat platforms are introducing ads now, and this might be another early window. The real challenge is timing. Today I’ll show you how to get that timing right and avoid the common traps I’ve seen across hundreds of SaaS companies. Links from the Pod Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel MicroConf Europe September 21-23, 2026 in Reykjavik, Iceland SaaS Institute

MicroConf Tactics: He Built Two Unicorns. Here’s The Only AI Startup He’d Build in 2026

MicroConf Tactics: Give Me 36 Minutes and I'll Teach You How to Find $1M SaaS Ideas

I surveyed 200+ founders making $1K-$100K+/month to find out how successful founders came up with their SaaS idea. In this video I break down the 8 proven methods they used—with real examples from dozens of founders. Spoiler: 72% found their idea through their work. Your next SaaS might be hiding in plain sight. Links from the Pod Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel Free 9-5 Audit (find your SaaS idea at your day job) 75+ Marketplace opportunities Get early access to my upcoming book SaaS Launchpad Huge thanks to all of the folks who filled out the survey! HamiltonRock · pinggg · Opening chess trainer · Trophy Labs · Slotly · CalFull · TemplateDocs · CREflow · Siteshot Pro · Praemostro ApS · saasyDB · Parable · Glow Social · WA Reminders · GuideWhale · MySQLSync · TrakRF · PostFast · Hutch Staging · TraitLab · SavvyIdeas · Photo Studio App · OpenGraphs · AdKit · Mega Seating Plan · Vanilo · CompanyEnrich · StreamThing · Samir Alibabic · VermietAssistent · Geocodio · Explosync · PictoMento · Favourites.io · Bridify · BlueGamma · Phos Site LLC · Airsailer · WaltDesign and Development · GiveMeLeads · Builder Prime · Questo è Cheto · Tododrive · Facility Kinetics · Glacier Peak Studios · Acodei · FitscorePro · Overcentric · QuantixAI · Deductible Duck · DocuPotion · k9 Security · Buuky · ZLS.app · AFM Ventures GmbH · Deporte Virtual · GivFlow · HyperEnv · ResponseHub · RentKit · PromoPulse · Omega Benefits Inc. · Spindle · Gradsift · Prima Facie Bonkers, Inc. · Sporting Scouter · AutomatePOD · SetHero · Jenesis Software · Gentext AI · Tracker · SignWell · Prophy.ai · StructuredAF · TinyCal · Apiable Oy · Quil · Tiiny Host · Astalty · Heyo · AuthoredUp · Gobo · TimeClout · Humap · Try That LLM · BridgeCurrent · Radio Cult · ShowMojo · Stitchwork · WPConcierge · Changebot · Birgu Consulting SRL · Simplebooklet · LangFast · BizSpeed · Profitdent · StaffReservations · SkuVault · Rootabl · CheckoutJoy · Redokun · Sinosend · Huditech UG · Ask Edgar · Castos · Prokurio · Certify · Leadsie · Training Tilt · VerificationManager · Dump Truck Dispatcher, Inc. · SessionLab · BriefTech · Design Master Software · Glacier Peak Studios · Abstract Leap · Teamfluence · Launch Guardian · Cloudhooks · The INFIN · BigMailer · GoRails · Easy Tee Golf · WellFunded Philanthropy · Inbox Zero · Sonas · Tempesta Media · Plark · humadroid.io · Affable Link · StatusGator · DrawSQL · BlueGamma · StreamPilot · Bolero · Obnex Technologies AB · LazySubs · Xolution Technology · Gem Logic · Lesson Launchpad · Mawi · endless webservices GmbH · PostMentor · Retentional · OKZest · Assemblia AI · Pagedeck · On-Call Optimizer · Ostinato · Start in Wyoming, Inc. · Civic Review · Podsqueeze · Stockistly · DevZing · DropInBlog · OneAccord · Bookr · Fleetworks · OrderNerd · Fingarde Technologies Inc · Checkout Page · Flare · Parseur · SocialKit · Hovercode · DialogShift · Singing Carrots · DropEvent · Supadata · CapaPlanner · RoutineFactory · AuctionIT · Outseta · detamoov · Quill Therapy Solutions · Prism · Metro Retro / Ludi · Shrpa · DYDOMITE · EmployTest · UpSheets · Anchorpoint · T.LY URL Shortener · Reviewflowz · LinkMatch · OutboundSync · Bluite · Constructive Software · Dynamic Leads · Loadster · DrugPatentWatch · Student Voice AI · Jitbit · Nusii Proposals · Join It · Bad Statement, Inc · Upstream Edge...

MicroConf Tactics: 9 Brutal Truths About Startups I Know After 20 Years in SaaS

SaaS is an incredible business model, with recurring revenue, high margins, and big exits. But there’s a dark side most founders don’t see until it’s too late. In this ep, I break down the uncomfortable truths every founder should know before they dive in. Links in the Pod: Watch this video on YouTube Subscribe to the MicroConf YouTube Channel MicroConf Europe September 21-23 · Reykjavik, Iceland

MicroConf Tactics: What's ACTUALLY Happening in SaaS Right Now

Rob Walling shares how he's seeing AI affect the SaaS landscape, explains why he doesn’t believe AI will ever kill SaaS, and outlines where the biggest opportunities are for ambitious bootstrapped founders today. Links from the Pod Watch this video on YouTube MicroConf Mastermind Matching Subscribe to the Rob Walling YouTube Channel MicroConf Connect