My startup Tribescaler hit $10K MRR this week.
Here are 5 lessons I wish I knew 3 months ago when launching:
Here are 5 lessons I wish I knew 3 months ago when launching:
1/ Find an exceptional co-founder
I'm a big believer in if two people think the same, one of them is unnecessary.
Your co-founder needs to have a complementary skill set to your capabilities.
Luckily, my bestie @Claybight and I crossed paths 1 year ago.
I'm a big believer in if two people think the same, one of them is unnecessary.
Your co-founder needs to have a complementary skill set to your capabilities.
Luckily, my bestie @Claybight and I crossed paths 1 year ago.
It's important to work on a solution with someone you can navigate hard times with.
Not throw in the towel when your backs are up against the wall.
It could be a friend or co-worker.
Solution: Have a pre-existing relationship with your co-founder.
Not throw in the towel when your backs are up against the wall.
It could be a friend or co-worker.
Solution: Have a pre-existing relationship with your co-founder.
2/ Solve your problems first
Paul Graham famously said:
"The way to get startup ideas is not to try to think of startup ideas. It's to look for problems, preferably problems you have yourself."
Don't build a solution in search of a problem.
Make something people want.
Paul Graham famously said:
"The way to get startup ideas is not to try to think of startup ideas. It's to look for problems, preferably problems you have yourself."
Don't build a solution in search of a problem.
Make something people want.
3/ Speaking to customers and building your product are the only things that matter
I spoke to 100+ early users ahead of launching Tribescaler's MVP.
Your goal is to have a deep understanding of their pain points.
This is done by asking the right questions:
I spoke to 100+ early users ahead of launching Tribescaler's MVP.
Your goal is to have a deep understanding of their pain points.
This is done by asking the right questions:
My pre-product user interview:
1. When dealing with X, what keeps you up at night?
2. What does success mean to you? How do you measure it?
3. How do you currently solve this problem?
4. What does your ideal 'magic wand' solution look like?
1. When dealing with X, what keeps you up at night?
2. What does success mean to you? How do you measure it?
3. How do you currently solve this problem?
4. What does your ideal 'magic wand' solution look like?
My early product user interview:
1. What's the most confusing part?
2. Did it work as expected?
3. What don't you like?
4. What would you change?
1. What's the most confusing part?
2. Did it work as expected?
3. What don't you like?
4. What would you change?
Asking these questions will allow you to probe deeper and build a better solution.
Instead of just receiving a pat on the back.
Key: Look for passion and excitement. That's when you know you're onto something.
Instead of just receiving a pat on the back.
Key: Look for passion and excitement. That's when you know you're onto something.
4/ Product + distribution
Every business has these 2 central functions.
You need both if you're going to win.
Product = building something people want
Distribution = marketing where your customers already hang out
Make it your intent to own the distribution channel.
Every business has these 2 central functions.
You need both if you're going to win.
Product = building something people want
Distribution = marketing where your customers already hang out
Make it your intent to own the distribution channel.
5/ Launching should feel uncomfortable
There is never a right moment to launch.
All you need is a landing page + signup form.
Collect interest pre-launch by building your email list.
If you launch when you feel ready, you launched too late.
There is never a right moment to launch.
All you need is a landing page + signup form.
Collect interest pre-launch by building your email list.
If you launch when you feel ready, you launched too late.
Follow me @thealexbanks for more on startups and AI.
If you liked this thread, check out Tribescaler.
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If you liked this thread, check out Tribescaler.
We just launched V2 of the product.
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tribescaler.com
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