I originally acquired this book (audio version) through the Author’s kick-starter campaign and for full disclosure, I’ve also attended the Author’s in-person event (MicroConF). However, I decided to purchase a 2nd copy, this time a paperback, so I could have it at arms-length for reference. Rob Walling has knocked it out of the park. The SaaS Playbook is simply the best “How to” start-up SaaS resource both on the shelf and online. With 3 SaaS start-ups already under my belt, spanning 2 decades of experience, Rob has hit all the nails on the head. He has managed to eloquently distill all the timeless wisdom, furnish no-nonsense advice on how to side-step the typical bear traps, and espouse modern-day best practices for launching and growing your SaaS start-up. However, what I love most about Rob’s book, is the practical, down-to-earth sensible advice he peppers on each and every page throughout his book. He is also not afraid to go where others don’t and has a dedicated chapter devoted to an Entrepreneur’s most important and valuable asset, his “Mindset”. There is a lot of noise in “start-up land”, but Rob’s voice is definitely one of the few you should listen to. The SaaS playbook speaks volumes, and it should be on everyday rotation on your playlist. It is certainly on mine – 5 stars from me!!

Non-technical, aspiring entrepreneur - this book give the technical guidance I needed to have the confidence to begin building my own application on nights / weekends. I expect to launch my first product later this year and this book gives me the confidence to handle all of the unknowns when launching a product - how do I price to drive user growth while maximizing revenues? How do I measure my sales / marketing effectiveness, etc. Rob provides a mountain of value in his podcast and this book is a great distillation of the how-to I needed to build the courage (and skills) to drive my own business. Thank you so much Rob for everything you do!

Great reference for Saas where venture funding is not desirable or not mature enough.

Good read. I gave it to my team also. They need to understand also. You can't do it alone. Thanks

I've been following Rob's W.'s podcast for many years, just waiting for the courage and timing to start my own SAAS. I finally jumped in late last year and over the last 6+ months, I'm finally ready to go to market. I heard about this book from his podcast; crammed it; and immediately started applying the wisdom. Some great nuggets of knowledge are included, particularly around pricing, metrics, and mindset that stood out the most. My only critique is that It's a bit light on the "how" when it comes to marketing and lead gen, but there are tons of specific books for that already. Highly recommended + his private slack group if you are thinking about or already doing your own bootstrapped venture.

The details are very valuable. First ~20% of the book is story fluff, but the rest is very valuable. It's worth a read if you're looking to scale a medium/large SAAS business.

If you want to start up a SaaS you absolutely have to read this book and benefit from the experience of other competent startup founders. Maybe you can avoid making some fatal mistakes by reading it. Good luck!

As someone passionate about startups, I can confidently say that "The SaaS Playbook" is the best book (out of 10) I've read this year. If you're planning to build a SaaS startup, this book is an absolute must-read. While you may still want to consult other foundational texts like "The Startup Owner's Manual" or "The Lean Startup," "The SaaS Playbook" stands strong on its own or as a complement to these well-known guides. The book covers essential strategies and insights tailored specifically for SaaS businesses. It addresses critical aspects of building a SaaS startup, offering practical advice and actionable steps. Although some phrases may feel familiar—such as the idea that A players work with A players and that employees are like a sports team, not family—"The SaaS Playbook" remains an engaging and informative read. It combines tried-and-true wisdom with new perspectives, making it an invaluable resource for anyone serious about succeeding in the SaaS industry. Highly recommended!