Problem Interviews Template for First-Time Founders (Copy This)

Copy this. Adapt the brackets. Run your first problem interview this week. The whole point of a template is that you stop overthinking and start moving.

1. The Outreach Message

Three sentences, sent over LinkedIn, email, or DM. Do not add anything else.

Subject (if email): Quick research question on [topic]

Body:

Hi [Name], I noticed [specific reason you are reaching out to them - their post, their role, their company]. I am researching how people [specific behavior or problem area] right now and I am not selling anything. Would you have 30 minutes in the next two weeks for a short call? Happy to share what I find.

Thanks,
[Your name]

2. The Calendar Invite

When they say yes, send a 30-minute slot with a short, honest description.

Title: [Your name] x [Their name] - 30 min research chat

Description: Casual conversation. I am researching [topic] and want to learn from your experience. No pitch, no sales. Looking forward to it.

3. The Opening (First Two Minutes)

Read this almost word-for-word the first few times.

"Thanks so much for the time. Quick context: I am researching how people handle [problem area] right now. I am not selling anything today, I just want to learn from people who have actually lived through it. So I am going to ask you mostly about your own experience and try to listen more than I talk.

Is it okay if I record this so I can focus on the conversation? I am happy to delete the recording afterward if you prefer."

4. The Three Questions

This is the spine of the call. Ask each one, then follow up with "tell me more about that" until you have an actual story, not a generalization.

Question 1 (Story prompt):
"Walk me through the last time [specific problem] came up for you. What were you trying to do, and what happened?"

Question 2 (Workaround):
"What did you try to make it better? Did anything actually work?"

Question 3 (Effort and money):
"Have you ever paid for anything, or built something yourself, to help with this? What was that like?"

5. The Deflect (If They Ask About Your Idea)

People will ask "so what are you building?" You will be tempted. Resist.

"Honestly, I am still figuring that out, which is why I am asking these questions. Can I keep poking at the problem first and we can come back to that at the end if there is time?"

They almost always say yes. If you have time at the end and they are still curious, you can describe your direction in two sentences. But it is not the point of the call.

6. The Notes Template

One doc per call. Use this structure.

Date: [date]
Name and role: [name, title, company size]
How I found them: [source]

Story (Q1):
[Specific situation they described, with at least one direct quote]

Workarounds (Q2):
[What they tried, what stuck, what failed, with quotes]

Spend and effort (Q3):
[Tools paid for, internal hacks built, time invested]

Surprises:
[What I did not expect to hear today]

Vocabulary:
[Exact phrases they used that I want to remember]

7. The Follow-Up Message

Send this within 24 hours.

Hi [Name], thanks again for the time today, that was genuinely helpful. One favor: would you be open to a 15-minute follow-up if I have something concrete to show you in the next month or two? No pressure either way.

Thanks,
[Your name]

8. The Synthesis Block (Every 5 Calls)

Open a new doc. Answer these prompts using only quotes and behaviors from your last five calls.

If those answers point in a clear direction after fifteen calls, you have your warranted confidence. Build the smallest version and put it in front of these same fifteen people. That is the whole loop.