PLG is Not Linear: It’s a Multi-Motion Value Model

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Read time: 3 minutes.

Welcome to the 84th edition of The Growth Elements Newsletter. I write an essay on growth metrics, experiments, and business case studies every Monday and sometimes on Thursday.

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Happy Monday!

PLG is not linear; it is not a single product value proposition.

It is a business model with distinct, discrete, and motion value propositions.

If a SaaS business adopts PLG as a business model, it will need multiple distinct value propositions for micro products within the core product to make it work.

[1] ACQUISITION: The Creation Stage

This is where it all starts. The value proposition here is designed to:

• Solve a specific user problem.

• Attract users into the product ecosystem.

Think of tools like freemium offerings or self-serve onboarding, they provide immediate value and create a gateway for users to engage with the product.

[2] COLLABORATION: Driving Team Use

As users bring their teams into the product, the value proposition shifts to:

• Enable seamless collaboration.

• Enhance the product’s usefulness through shared use and feedback.

This stage focuses on team-level functionality, shared workspaces, real-time collaboration, and robust integrations that amplify collective productivity.

[3] ENTERPRISE: Scaling for Big Business

The final unit targets enterprise adoption by offering:

• Compliance to meet industry standards.

• Observability for better visibility and insights.

• Security to protect large-scale operations.

The value proposition caters to enterprise-level needs, unlocking higher revenue potential while ensuring scalability.

Final Words

► Each unit - Acquisition, Collaboration, and Enterprise - requires distinct features and benefits to fuel a successful PLG strategy collectively.

► PLG is a continuous loop of attracting, engaging, and expanding the user base. Each micro-product in the ecosystem plays a vital role in delivering value and driving growth.

That's it for today's article! I hope you found this essay insightful.

Wishing you a productive week ahead!

I always appreciate you reading.

Thanks,
Chintankumar Maisuria