The Startup Ideas Podcast
The best businesses are built at the intersection of emerging technology, community, and real human needs.
Attention vs Intent Product Classification
Products generate either high attention with low purchase intent, or lower attention with high purchase intent, requiring different monetization strategies
Decision Rule
If your product generates more attention than purchase intent, monetize through advertising rather than subscriptions
How It Works
Viral, shareable products attract large audiences who engage but won't pay directly, while problem-solving tools attract smaller audiences with higher willingness to pay
Failure Modes
Trying to sell subscriptions for attention-driven products
Using advertising model for high-intent products
Not recognizing which category your product falls into
Building features that increase attention but decrease purchase intent
Example Decision
“Revenue verification tool gets massive viral attention but low subscription willingness, so monetize through advertising to the high-value entrepreneur audience rather than charging for verification”