Well, but that is the idea, the selection bias is in the question not in the answers. He is not asking what % of one-person online business are successful.
I think that what OP is saying is that copying the successful case will not make you successful - otherwise everyone could be successful after reading a few discussions like this, or reading millionaire's books about how they became successful.
> otherwise everyone could be successful after reading a few discussions like this, or reading millionaire's books about how they became successful.
None of those things are actually copying, arent they? They are just reading.
Do I believe that everybody who actually creates a small SAAS emulating some of the ideas presenting here will be a smashing success? Of course not! Do I believe many will succeed? Of course!
This is like saying, how do I get to the NBA? Well, train hard everyday, eat well, get into a competitive basketball program since HS. None of those things are sufficient, but for sure are a great blueprint.
Selection bias, it turns out, is built right into the title of the post. Also, a hard-won concept I have learned in business is that it’s much better to learn from people who were successful than from people who weren’t (not trying to be arch or facetious here).
Correct - I run two Saas apps. One collects COVID symptoms from kids attending childcare centres and the other allows users to send SMS from Google sheets. I've made a total of $5 from both (first customer for SMS tool last month).
I had a lot of interest in the symptom screening tool, but then my provincial government changed the rules so child care centres didn't need to collect symptoms. I have 2 centres using it and I just cover the bills. I've told them they can use it for free. Probably more of a hassle to collect the $10/month from them.
For every person who currently does X successfully, there will be a multiple of those who failed at the (nearly) same and aren't chiming in.