When Real Madrid signed Jude Bellingham, no one expected him to dominate from day one. But he didn’t just fit the system—he elevated it.
That’s what finding Product–Market Fit feels like.
You stop forcing things. Customers “get it.” Growth starts to feel natural. And most importantly? You’re not guessing anymore.
So if you’re in the trenches of early-stage chaos, here’s how to tell if you’ve found your Bellingham—or if you’re still trialling short-term signings hoping something sticks.
✅ Early Signs You’re Getting It Right
1. Demand comes to you
It’s quiet at first—someone asks for a demo before you promote it. A journalist pings you. A customer tags you on LinkedIn. These aren’t vanity metrics—they’re signals. You’re not chasing. You’re being noticed.
2. Word of mouth starts to bubble
You didn’t ask them to post. There’s no referral code. But somehow your product’s being shared in WhatsApp chats and Slack channels. When people talk about you like they discovered you, you’re onto something.
3. Usage is real and rising
People sign up—and then they stick around. You check your metrics, and they’re logging in more. Using more features. You’re not reminding them. They’ve made your product part of their day.
4. Feedback isn’t polite—it’s passionate
Users start giving specific suggestions. They’re not just testing—you can tell they want it to be better. Not because they’re nice, but because they’re invested.
5. You’re hearing outcomes, not features
You pitch “X, Y, Z features,” but users say things like “This saved me hours” or “This finally solved X.” That shift—from what it is to what it does—is a massive green light.
❌ Red Flags You’re Still Forcing It
1. Every conversion is a slog
Five follow-ups. A discount. A 30-minute call. Still no close. If you have to convince everyone, maybe the offer’s not landing.
2. There’s no buzz
You’re running ads. You’re posting content. And yet… no chatter. No shares. No unexpected mentions. That’s not a reach problem—it’s a relevance problem.
3. People churn without explanation
They try it, smile politely, and disappear. When it really solves something, people don’t just leave. And when they do, they have something to say.
4. You’re rewriting your homepage weekly
Testing’s normal—but if your value prop keeps changing, you’re not iterating… you’re still searching.
5. Discounts are doing all the heavy lifting
If the only way you close is with 40% off, it’s not PMF—it’s price masking weak pull. A solid product holds its value.
FINAL WHISTLE: PMF Feels Like Momentum
You won’t get fireworks the moment it hits—but you’ll feel the shift.
More pull than push. More clarity than chaos. Less “What do we say?” and more “Look what they’re saying.”
And when it clicks? Everything gets lighter. Like Jude walking into Madrid and owning the Bernabéu.
#GameOn.
