How I Listen to Users Without Losing My Vision

The 'Feedback Filter' - How I Learned to Listen to Users Without Losing My Vision

The moment the first few users started sending in their thoughts and suggestions for my new product, it felt… amazing. Like, truly validating. Someone was actually using what I'd built and cared enough to share their experience.

But then it happened. The trickle turned into a steady stream, and soon, a flood.

Suddenly, I felt like I was being pulled in ten different directions at once. Everyone had a brilliant idea, a crucial bug fix, a "must-have" feature.

I found myself sketching out half-baked features that no one really needed, just trying to appease the loudest voices.

The Overwhelm of Good Intentions

As a solo founder, managing user feedback can feel like a tightrope walk. You want to be responsive, to build something people genuinely love.

But how do you sift through the noise? How do you differentiate between a game-changing insight and a fleeting distraction?

The real challenge is staying focused on your product's core vision while also genuinely serving your users. Without a system, it's easy to fall into the trap of feature creep, building a Frankenstein's monster of a product that pleases no one, least of all yourself. I was getting dangerously close to that.

Introducing My 'Feedback Filter'

To combat this, I developed a simple, yet effective, process I call the 'Feedback Filter'. It’s not rocket science, but it’s been a lifesaver for my sanity and my product's direction. Here’s how it works:

1. Categorize: When feedback comes in, I immediately put it into one of a few buckets:

• Bugs: Things that are broken or not working as intended. These are usually high priority.
• Feature Requests: Suggestions for new functionality.
• Usability Issues: Feedback on how easy or difficult something is to use.
• 'Nice-to-Haves': Ideas that are cool but not essential to the core problem.

2. Validate: This is crucial. I ask myself:

• How many users are requesting this? A single request is different from ten.
• Does this align with the core problem my product is solving? If not, it’s probably a distraction.

3. Prioritize: I use a simple impact vs. effort matrix.

• High Impact, Low Effort = Do it now.
• High Impact, High Effort = Schedule it carefully.
• Low Impact, Low Effort = Maybe later, if time permits.
• Low Impact, High Effort = Probably not.

4. Schedule: Once prioritized, I slot the validated feedback into my product roadmap. This gives me a clear plan and prevents me from jumping between tasks.

5. Communicate: This is often the hardest part.

When I can't implement a suggestion, I try to say "not now" gracefully. A simple, honest explanation goes a long way.

"Thanks for this suggestion! It’s a great idea, but right now we’re focusing on [core feature] to solve [core problem].

We’ll keep it in mind for future iterations."

A Real-World Example

Let me show you how this worked with a past product, a simple productivity tool.

I received feedback like this:

• "Can you add a dark mode?" (Usability/Nice-to-Have)
• "The export function is broken, it crashes when I try to export more than 10 items." (Bug)
• "It would be amazing if I could integrate this with my calendar!" (Feature Request)
• "Could you add a feature to track my daily habit streaks?" (Feature Request/Nice-to-Have)

Here’s how I filtered it:

• Dark Mode: Several users asked for it. It was low effort but not core to the product’s function. I categorized it as a 'Nice-to-Have' and scheduled it for a future update after core features were solid.
• Broken Export: This was a clear bug affecting multiple users. High impact, moderate effort. This went straight to the top of my priority list.
• Calendar Integration: A few users mentioned this. It was high impact but also very high effort, requiring significant API work.

It aligned with the core problem but was a big undertaking. I put it on the roadmap for a later phase.

• Habit Streaks: Only one user suggested this. While interesting, it didn’t directly solve the core problem of task management. I categorized it as a 'Nice-to-Have' and politely declined for now, explaining we were focused on core task completion.

Here’s a peek at the simple spreadsheet I used to track this:

This system helped me keep my focus sharp and ensure that the changes I was making were truly moving the product forward in a meaningful way for my users.

Your Turn to Filter

Learning to systematically process user feedback is a superpower for any founder. It helps you make informed decisions, avoid burnout, and build a product that truly resonates without getting lost in the weeds.

Start by implementing a simple categorization system. Then, validate and prioritize.

Remember, not all feedback is created equal, and that's okay. By filtering effectively, you can build a better product and maintain your own vision.

What are your biggest challenges with user feedback? Let me know in the comments!