Ever wonder why some customers stick around while others jump ship? It's not always about what your product can do right now. Often, it's about what it promises to become. That's where sharing your product roadmap comes into play - a simple yet powerful way to keep your users excited and engaged.

Think of your product roadmap as a sneak peek into the future. It's like showing your customers a treasure map, with X marking the spot for awesome new features. By giving them a glimpse of what's coming, you're not just selling a product; you're selling a vision. This approach can be especially effective when your current offering might be missing a few bells and whistles.

Sharing your roadmap isn't just about transparency; it's about building trust and fostering a sense of community. When you invite users to vote on upcoming features, you're essentially saying, "Hey, your opinion matters!" This level of involvement can turn casual users into loyal advocates who feel personally invested in your product's success.

The beauty of this tactic lies in its simplicity. It doesn't require a massive budget or a team of marketing gurus. All it takes is a willingness to open up about your plans and listen to your users. By doing so, you're not just reducing churn; you're creating a two-way street of communication that can drive your product's growth in the right direction.

Why this works

Sharing your product roadmap taps into a powerful psychological principle: anticipation. People get excited about future possibilities, and this excitement can keep them engaged with your product even if it's not perfect right now.

Here's why this strategy works so well:

1. It creates a sense of progress. Users feel like they're part of an evolving journey, not stuck with a static product. This perception of forward momentum can be incredibly motivating.

2. It builds trust and transparency. By openly sharing your plans, you're showing that you value honesty and customer input. This openness can foster stronger relationships with your users.

3. It gives users a reason to stick around. If a user sees an upcoming feature they're excited about, they're more likely to stay subscribed or keep using your product in anticipation of that feature.

4. It encourages user investment. When users vote on features, they become more emotionally invested in your product's success. They feel like they have a stake in its development.

5. It provides valuable market research. User votes and feedback on your roadmap give you direct insight into what your customers want, helping you prioritize development efforts.

6. It differentiates you from competitors. Many companies keep their plans under wraps. By being open, you stand out and potentially attract users who appreciate this transparency.

7. It can attract new users. Potential customers might sign up based on future features, even if your current offering doesn't quite meet their needs yet.

8. It manages expectations. If users know a feature is coming, they're less likely to churn due to its current absence.

This tactic is particularly effective for:

• SaaS companies. Software-as-a-service businesses can use roadmaps to show how they're continuously improving and adding value.

• Digital product creators. Creators of online courses or digital tools can use roadmaps to build excitement for upcoming content or features.

• Marketplace platforms. Showing plans for new categories or improved matching algorithms can keep both buyers and sellers engaged.

• Subscription services. Upcoming product additions or service improvements can give subscribers a reason to maintain their membership.

Remember, the key is to strike a balance between sharing enough to generate excitement and not overpromising. Be realistic about your timelines and always deliver on your commitments to maintain trust and credibility.

How you can steal this

Ready to put this tactic into action? Here's how you can share your product roadmap effectively:

1. Choose the right platform. Select a tool that allows you to easily create and update your roadmap. Options include:

   • Trello. Great for visual, card-based roadmaps.
   • ProductBoard. Offers advanced features for collecting and organizing user feedback.
   • GitHub Projects. Ideal for tech-savvy audiences and open-source projects.
   • A simple webpage or blog post. Works well for smaller teams or those just starting out.

2. Decide on your level of detail. Balance transparency with flexibility:

   • High-level themes. Share broad categories of upcoming improvements without specific dates.
   • Specific features. List actual features but use time ranges (e.g., Q3 2023) instead of exact dates.
   • Detailed timelines. For mature products with predictable development cycles.

3. Implement a voting system. Allow users to have a say in your product's future:

   • Use a dedicated feedback tool. Platforms like UserVoice or Canny make it easy to collect and prioritize user votes.
   • Create a simple survey. Tools like Google Forms or Typeform can work for smaller scale feedback collection.
   • Engage on social media. Run polls on Twitter or create engaging posts on LinkedIn to gather quick feedback.

4. Communicate regularly. Keep your roadmap top of mind:

   • Send monthly or quarterly updates. Highlight progress and upcoming features.
   • Create a dedicated changelog. Show users what's been implemented and what's coming next.
   • Use in-app notifications. Alert users to new features they've voted for.

5. Be realistic and honest. Maintain trust by:

   • Under-promising and over-delivering. It's better to surprise users with early releases than disappoint with delays.
   • Explaining changes or delays. If plans shift, communicate openly about why.
   • Celebrating milestones. When you release a highly-requested feature, make it a big deal.

6. Tailor your approach. Consider your specific business model:

   • SaaS company. Focus on feature improvements and integrations that add value to subscribers.
   • Marketplace app. Highlight upcoming features that benefit both buyers and sellers.
   • E-commerce store. Share plans for new product lines, improved shipping options, or enhanced customer service features.
   • Digital product creator. Preview upcoming content additions or learning tools.

7. Gather and act on feedback. Use your roadmap as a two-way communication tool:

   • Analyze voting patterns. Look for trends in what users are most excited about.
   • Conduct follow-up surveys. Ask users why they voted for specific features.
   • Host user interviews. Dive deeper into user needs and expectations.

8. Integrate with your marketing. Use your roadmap as a powerful marketing tool:

   • Highlight future features in sales calls. Show prospects what they'll gain by signing up now.
   • Create content around upcoming features. Build anticipation with blog posts or videos explaining future improvements.
   • Use in retention campaigns. Remind churning users of exciting upcoming features.

Remember, sharing your roadmap is about more than just listing future features. It's about building a relationship with your users and involving them in your product's journey. By doing this effectively, you'll not only reduce churn but also create a community of engaged, loyal users who feel invested in your success.

Examples of share your product roadmap

Here are some real-world examples of companies effectively sharing their product roadmaps:

• Trello. The project management tool maintains a public board called "Trello Development Roadmap" where users can see upcoming features and vote on their favorites. This transparency has helped Trello build a loyal user base that feels invested in the product's evolution.

• Buffer. The social media management platform shares a detailed, regularly updated roadmap on their website. They categorize features as "Up Next," "In Progress," and "Recently Shipped," giving users a clear picture of what to expect and when.

• GitHub. The code hosting platform has a public roadmap that outlines their plans for the next 6-12 months. They use GitHub Projects to manage this, showcasing their own product while keeping users informed.

• Notion. The all-in-one workspace tool maintains a "What's New" page that doubles as a roadmap, highlighting recent updates and teasing upcoming features. This approach keeps users excited about the platform's continuous improvement.

• Airtable. The spreadsheet-database hybrid tool shares their roadmap through their community forum. Users can suggest and vote on features, creating a direct line of communication between the company and its users.

• Digital course platform. An online learning startup implemented a roadmap sharing system where course creators could vote on new platform features. This led to a 25% decrease in creator churn as they felt more invested in the platform's future.

• E-commerce plugin. A Shopify app developer started sharing their feature roadmap with users. They saw a 30% increase in long-term subscriptions as store owners could see which pain points would be addressed in future updates.

• SaaS analytics tool. A B2B software company began sharing their product roadmap during sales calls. This resulted in a 15% increase in conversion rates as prospects could see how the product would evolve to meet their future needs.

• Freelance marketplace. A platform connecting businesses with freelancers implemented a voting system for new features. This led to a 40% increase in user engagement and a 20% decrease in churn rates for both clients and freelancers.

• Subscription box service. A meal kit delivery startup shared their roadmap for new cuisine types and dietary options. This resulted in a 35% reduction in cancellations as customers could see that their preferences would be catered to in future boxes.

These examples demonstrate how sharing a product roadmap can foster user engagement, reduce churn, and even drive new sign-ups across various types of internet businesses. The key is to find the right balance of transparency and flexibility that works for your specific product and user base.