How to pick the metrics that actually matter

1. First: Why Most Metrics Feel Useless

The thing is, we don’t need a lot of data cause it is overwhelming, but we do need a single signal that helps us answer:

“Is this working, and what should I do next?”

But instead, here’s what usually happens:

• You get stuck refreshing your payment portal like how much money I’m I making

• You check daily followers or views, hoping for a traction

• You chase vanity metrics like likes, opens, or signups

• You track everything so you end up acting on… nothing

More dashboards doesn’t equate to more direction. So what should you track? There’s no one-size-fits-all metric, but here’s the test:

A good metric makes you smarter every week.

If you can:

• See how your work impacts it

• Improve it with action

• Get a sense of whether people care

Then boooom, that’s your metric. Let’s find yours.

The Yas Tech & Tea Framework of picking metrics:

This works for:

• AI builders launching messy MVPs

• Creators growing a tiny audience

• Startup teams testing new things

• Service-based folks trying to turn hours into advantage

• Basically anyone building anything

STEP 1: Define What “Working” Means to You Right Now

You can’t measure what matters if you don’t know what you want.

So ask:

• Are you trying to validate an idea?

• Are you building your audience?

• Are you trying to turn free value into paid?

You don’t need to pick everything. You just need one thing that reflects your current sitch

Examples:

• “I want to know if people are actually using this”

• “I want more engagement from people who fit my audience”

• “I want early users to stick around”

• “I want to grow my waitlist”

That’s your anchor.

STEP 2: Pick a Metric That Signals Movement Toward your goal

Now pick the metric that proves you’re moving in that direction.

Here’s a cheat sheet based on your goal:

🧠 Pro tip: Don’t pick what’s easy to measure. Pick what actually means “this is working.”

STEP 3: Make It Clean, Avoid Vanity Metrics

Not all data is helpful. A few metrics that feel good but don’t help much:

• Page views: doesn’t tell you who cares

• Follower count: doesn’t mean they’re your people

• Likes: flattering, but not actionable

• MRR in early stages: too lagging, can’t iterate fast

What’s better?

• “People who clicked AND replied”

• “First use within 24h of signup”

• “X people asked for access / wanted to pay”

That’s when your data is useful

STEP 4: Turn It into a Mini Habit

Cool, you’ve got your metric. Now make it trackable.

Ask:

• How often will I check this? (weekly > daily)

• Where will I track it? (Notion, Airtable, even a Notes app)

• What small action can I take if it drops?

Example:

• Metric = “% of people using a content prompt within 24h”

• If it drops, I improve onboarding or simplify the prompts

• I check every Thursday morning

STEP 5: Bonus Metrics for Builders Who Still Feel Stuck

Here are some not-so-obvious but super helpful ones:

These metrics give you actual behavioural proof

So to summarise:

2. Product goss this week

I spotted Pomelli by Google Labs, an AI marketing tool designed to help small & medium businesses grow through on-brand, scalable campaigns. Enter your website, and Pomelli builds your unique Business DNA, capturing your tone of voice, color palette, and visual identity. I bet all the marketing wrapper businesses have just died! Here’s a post to watch the promo: - Pomelli promo

Monzo CEO steps down and is preparing for an IPO - Sifted - Monzo has defo gone from strength to strength in execution.

Featuring Villagesocial by Ozgun Gulsal & her co founder. Give it a try and send the team some feedback!

3. Product gems that made me howl…

Leaving you with my fave gem for your thoughts…

& finally, am I even up to anything great for your nosy?

I will be at Web Summit Lisbon this month with a client. Focusing on leadership coaching and training!

I’m consulting - Buiskit.com so if I can work with you, your startup or business or in a fractional role in anyway please reach out. I will be expanding that website and programmes soon along with it’s marketing, but mvp and all that. My current clients are across Education, Legal & GOV so hit me up. (I also have a team I lean into through my network)

I am building a Startup. At the moment I’m in validation phase so once I feel this is ready, you’re going to hear all about it 🙂 

Those are some of key updates! As always send me a reply, say hello I love to hear from you all.