the blog
Semi-regular musings on all things marketing, data, product, and business.
KPIs are not enough
KPIs without a strategy or a plan don't help; if you don't have an action plan for the data you're collecting, what's the point? And not only could it result in a lot of wasted effort, it may actually steer you in the wrong direction. If you have an action plan for your KPIs (and you actually execute that plan) you’ll see results that’ll help inform your next move.
Startups, we need to talk about your value proposition
Launching a product or service? Aside from endless outreach, Linkedin messages, calling in favors and networking events, you need a solid story to tell prospective clients and investors. You need a pitch deck. But if they’re so important, why do so many pitch decks...well...suck?
Write your first line of code in 5 minutes
This challenge is for anyone who hasn’t tried to code, who has wanted to learn but was intimidated, anyone who hasn’t written a line of code in a long time: we challenge you to write seven lines of code today. Right now, even.
We can hear the excuses already, but it’ll take you less time to write some code than it took to write that clever tweet of yours. Promise.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 14: Analyze Feedback and Iterate
Let’s reflect on what you just accomplished, because it’s pretty big. You built a simple, three-component landing page, drove at least 100 pairs of eyes to it, got email sign-ups, received generally positive feedback on your concept and tweaked your offering based on the feedback you received. Sheesh! Wipe that sweat off your brow; that’s a productive three hours.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 11: Build a Landing Page
Did your idea crush it in your initial market feedback exercise? Great, you’re ready to launch your product, rent office space and hire a few employees! Oh, wait; what that really means is you’re ready to expand the number of people exposed to your idea to 100 without spending a fortune. Enter the landing page MVP.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 9: Get market feedback from 10 people
This next step kicks off the Agile, validated learning and iteration process. Get used to it, nerds (that’s a compliment); this process is continuous from this point onward.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 7: Identify your target audience
While you may think your idea is so groundbreaking the whole world will want it, you’ll need to narrow your scope. Having a product a few people love and would recommend to their friends is much more valuable than many people who think your product is “just OK.” This is where you flesh out who you think will care about your idea..
Startup Bootcamp, Part 5: Identify your competitors
Have you discussed your exes with your current partner? Why do we do it? That was a rhetorical question! We know the answer; it’s to identify the competition. Deploy a similar strategy with your business idea. Prevent a false start by identifying the competitive landscape early in the process. Dedicate no more than 30 minutes by following these three rules:
Startup Bootcamp, Part 4: Framing your MVP like a science experiment
Remember your middle school science fair? Hastily designed tri-fold poster boards and the ribbons that had no monetary value, but carried more weight than gold? Channel your adolescence and apply the scientific method to your MVP. State your hypothesis, make your assumptions, outline how you’ll measure success and record your observations. Glue sticks not required (you’ll need those for a later section).
Startup Bootcamp, Part 3: The sniff test
The sniff test is an analysis using no outside research to quickly determine if your idea is worth pursuing. We explain how to get it done. And fast.