# PMF Survey Templates

Ready-to-use surveys based on the Sean Ellis methodology.

---

## Core PMF Survey

### The Essential Question

**Question 1: The Sean Ellis Test**

> How would you feel if you could no longer use [PRODUCT]?

- Very disappointed
- Somewhat disappointed
- Not disappointed
- N/A - I've already stopped using it

**Target:** 40%+ selecting "Very disappointed"

---

### Critical Follow-Up Questions

**For "Very disappointed" respondents:**

**Question 2: Primary Benefit**

> What is the primary benefit you get from [PRODUCT]?

[Open text field]

*Use this initially to crowdsource benefits. After 30+ responses, convert to multiple choice.*

**Question 3: Benefit Importance**

> Why is that benefit important to you?

[Open text field]

*This reveals the emotional context and messaging hooks.*

**Question 4: Alternative**

> What would you use as an alternative if [PRODUCT] no longer existed?

[Open text field]

*Reveals competitive landscape and uniqueness of value.*

---

### Additional Recommended Questions

**Question 5: User Type**

> What type of person do you think would benefit most from [PRODUCT]?

[Open text field]

*Identifies target persona in user's own words.*

**Question 6: Discovery**

> How did you first hear about [PRODUCT]?

- Friend/colleague recommendation
- Social media (Twitter, LinkedIn, etc.)
- Search engine (Google, etc.)
- App store browsing
- Blog/article
- Podcast
- Other: [text field]

*Reveals working acquisition channels.*

**Question 7: Recommendation**

> Have you recommended [PRODUCT] to anyone?

- Yes, multiple people
- Yes, one person
- No, but I would
- No, and I probably wouldn't

*Leading indicator of word-of-mouth potential.*

**Question 8: Improvement**

> How could [PRODUCT] be improved to better meet your needs?

[Open text field]

*Feature ideas from most engaged users.*

---

## Targeting Guidelines

### Who to Survey

**Include:**
- Users who have used product 2+ times
- Used product within last 1-2 weeks
- Have experienced the core value proposition
- Random sample (not just power users or complainers)

**Exclude:**
- People who just signed up but haven't used
- Users who churned months ago
- People who only saw a demo
- Landing page visitors

### Sample Size

- **Minimum:** 30 responses for directional signal
- **Recommended:** 100+ responses for reliable data
- **For segmentation:** 30+ per segment

### Frequency

- **Initial:** As soon as you have 30+ eligible users
- **Ongoing:** Monthly or quarterly to track trends
- **After changes:** 2-3 weeks after major updates

---

## Multiple Choice Benefit Survey

*Use after collecting 50+ open-ended responses to Question 2*

**Question: Primary Benefit (Multiple Choice)**

> What is the PRIMARY benefit you get from [PRODUCT]? (Select one)

- [Benefit 1 - from top open-ended responses]
- [Benefit 2]
- [Benefit 3]
- [Benefit 4]
- Other: [text field]

**Follow-up:**

> Why is [selected benefit] important to you?

[Open text field]

---

## Segmentation Analysis

After collecting responses, segment by:

### By Benefit Selected
- What % "very disappointed" for each benefit?
- Which benefit correlates with highest satisfaction?

### By User Type
- New users vs. long-term users
- Free vs. paid (if applicable)
- Use case or job-to-be-done

### By Acquisition Channel
- Which channels bring most satisfied users?
- Which channels bring least satisfied users?

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## Email Template for Survey Invitation

**Subject:** Quick question about [PRODUCT]

Hi [Name],

You've been using [PRODUCT] for [X weeks/months] now, and I'd love to get your honest feedback.

I have just 4 quick questions that will take less than 2 minutes:

[Survey Link]

Your answers will directly shape what we build next.

Thanks for being part of our community,
[Your name]

P.S. - I read every response personally.

---

## In-App Survey Trigger

**When to show:**
- After user completes [activation milestone]
- User has been active for 2+ weeks
- User hasn't completed survey before
- Not during critical flows

**Copy:**

> "We'd love your feedback! How would you feel if you could no longer use [PRODUCT]?"
>
> [Very disappointed] [Somewhat disappointed] [Not disappointed]
>
> "Thanks! One more question - why did you say that?"
> [Text field]
> [Submit]

---

## Analysis Template

### Summary Metrics

| Metric | Result |
|--------|--------|
| Total responses | |
| Very disappointed | % |
| Somewhat disappointed | % |
| Not disappointed | % |
| PMF Score | % very disappointed |

### Top Benefits (Very Disappointed Users)

| Benefit | # Mentions | % of VD Users |
|---------|------------|---------------|
| | | |
| | | |
| | | |

### Key Themes from "Why Important"

1. [Theme 1 with example quote]
2. [Theme 2 with example quote]
3. [Theme 3 with example quote]

### Recommended Actions

1. **Positioning:** [How to reposition based on findings]
2. **Messaging:** [Key hooks from user language]
3. **Onboarding:** [How to get users to core value faster]
4. **Product:** [Feature priorities based on VD user feedback]

---

## Feature Validation Survey

*Use before building a significant feature*

**Question 1:**

> We're considering adding [FEATURE]. How valuable would this be to you?

- Very valuable - I'd use this all the time
- Somewhat valuable - I'd use this occasionally
- Not valuable - I wouldn't use this

**Question 2:**

> Why did you give that rating?

[Open text field]

**Question 3:**

> What problem would [FEATURE] solve for you?

[Open text field]

---

## NPS Alternative Survey

*For one-time products or when PMF question doesn't fit*

**Question 1:**

> How likely are you to recommend [PRODUCT] to a friend or colleague?

[0-10 scale]

**Question 2 (for 9-10):**

> What do you love most about [PRODUCT]?

[Open text field]

**Question 2 (for 0-6):**

> What would need to change for you to recommend [PRODUCT]?

[Open text field]
