Earlyvangelists: The Rare Few Who Actually Buy and Teach You Fast

In every crowd, there are a handful of people who spot and feel problems before others even notice. In startup circles, these are called 'Earlyvangelists'—not just early adopters, but those who actively seek and try to solve their pain points. Unlike mainstream users, they don’t need perfection or a fancy brand; they want relief now, and they’ll take risks to get it.

Look for tell-tale signs: They’ve built makeshift solutions, begged for alternatives, or even spent money trying to cobble something together. Talk to enough prospects, and you’ll hear the difference—the casual complainers versus the fiercely motivated fixers. These few will often help you refine your product, become ambassadors, and provide honest, sometimes brutal, feedback.

Behavioral economics tells us that willingness to pay and solve a problem early stems from urgency, not demographics. Studies on technology adoption curves show that these users are the ones who generate initial learning and momentum for a new idea. The trick is not to spread yourself thin; focus in on these passionate users because they drive both product development and early revenue, helping you find the on-ramp to the infamous 'chasm' faced by every innovation.

Make it your mission to find people who aren’t just interested—they’re desperate for a solution, and have already made real attempts to fix the problem. Prioritize every meeting with people who fit this 'Earlyvangelist' profile, probing with smart questions: have they tried anything else, spent their own money, or built a workaround? Once you’ve found a few, dig deep with them—take their feedback to heart, thank them for their candor, and treat them like partners on your journey. This focused approach will pay off in knowledge and momentum. Track down one or two today and start building your base.