Instigator Blog - Latest Comments in Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 12:02:41 -0000

@Ron: Why are you working on a comprehensive marketing plan? Having a marketing strategy is good, but I would suggest that you don't get STUCK by it -- keep moving forward. I can almost guarantee you that any plan you put in place today - be it financial, marketing, development, etc. - will change significantly once you launch your business.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Ron Baker — Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:45:51 -0000

Great post Ben

My business is still stuck in trying to create a comprehensive marketing plan. I have a work group that helps me bounce ideas and explore options.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 14:24:37 -0000

@Steve: Thanks. I hope your HR Director signs-up!

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Steve Rucinski — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 07:07:54 -0000

Ben, congratulations on the successful launch of your latest startup. It looks like a great service, I will ask our HR Director to give it a look.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Kelly @ Small Business Guru — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 16:52:35 -0000

Ben,
Great post. You're definitely right on with the 'focus on getting things done" part. The challenge there is deciding what are the RIGHT things to be done so that you can focus and give those key items the time & attention they deserve.

Thanks for your work on this -- very good stuff.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Rebel8 — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:04:36 -0000

It is all such hard work, but isn't it worth it!! I think small amounts of time away from the hectic pace is also crucial. This allows perspective to creep in. I'm usually at my most creative when I'm not immersed in work. Thanks for the great post, Ben!

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Ben Yoskovitz — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 09:33:04 -0000

Thank you for all the continued comments.

@Darrel: Thanks for the comment. Whether you launch "big" or "small" the point of the post is still that post-launch is when the real work begins. Certainly if you launch "small" this is more obvious, because your focus isn't on orchestrating a big launch. But I think a lot of non-Web 2.0 businesses benefit from the big launch too...

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

cathlawson — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 05:01:27 -0000

Great post Ben - you will have heaps of hard work ahead, but I'm glad you're enjoying it.

What would make it easier for a lot of start ups is actually realising that they should begin doing many of the things you mentioned before they even launch. I guess it's easier said than done though, with all the work involved in just preparing for the launch.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Mike — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 11:29:38 -0000

Great advice. My problem is always with marketing. Do you generally outsource all your work? I think a big weakness for people getting started is trying to do it all themselves. Of course when you have little money there aren't many more choices.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Darrel Miller — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:10:08 -0000

I would add that your advice is extremely applicable if you are trying to leverage the Web 2.0 "network effect"[1]. However for companies where there is a significant service portion to their offering, or if it is a product that does not benefit significantly from the network effect, then a big bang launch may not be right approach. I see it more as a rolling snowball...

[1] http://www.oreillynet.com/p...

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Kelvin — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:35:30 -0000

I wouldn't think the work after starting up is easy. My sister who runs a number of businesses once mentioned that the fun part is launching a business. The difficult (and boring part for her) is keeping it going.

I guess maintaining the momentum of a start-up is key, especially since you don't want all that hard work that happened before to go to waste.

Good luck with standout jobs!

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Ben Yoskovitz — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 10:13:29 -0000

Thanks for all the comments.

@Manizesto: It's definitely important to bounce your ideas off others. And I always recommend sharing ideas with others, without worrying about people stealing them too.

@Michael: The goal is to build a great business. Simple as that. *smile* (Not that building a great business is successful, but you know what I mean!)

@Sylvain: Thanks for stopping by and good luck with your launch!

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Audiomecca Webmaster — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 08:47:34 -0000

Ben, this is a great post. Pre-launch preparations for post launch activity rarely gets the attention it deserves. I have known cases where even invoices had not been designed for the first sale to take place, leave alone proper accounting systems, procedures etc. A check list for post launch operational activities will help while getting ready for the launch.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Rebecca Laffar-Smith — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 02:27:33 -0000

*chuckles* Yes, if you go into business working your booty off prelaunch then there will be ZERO time post launch because everything is multiplied and new issues and duties keep coming up. Of course, prelaunch you don't have the funds to hire new staff to take on the extra jobs.

Then again, I'd recommend anyone thinking of starting a business do, sales, business, and accounting courses before they begin prelaunch.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Sylvain Carle — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 22:36:12 -0000

Oh yeah. Pre-launch is such a grace period, where 100% of your effort can be applied to the delivery of your product/service.

Support/maintenance/operation is the name of the game for post 1.0 (or whatever you call the "real people using your product" phase).

Expect the worst. Everything not planned will happen. Even if you planned for everything you could think about. Remember, your initial business plan does not matter that much - http://blog.pmarca.com/2007...

But then again, that's the fun part! ;-)

PS. I'm saying this only to prepare myself to that phase, coming soon for us too!

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Michael Rakowski — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 21:04:30 -0000

Ben, you seem very prepared for this. I hope you succeed.

I'm curious, what is your goal for StandOut Jobs? Do you want to work there for the rest of your life, a few years, sell it ASAP. It seems there a lot of possibilities.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Rob McNealy — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 20:35:40 -0000

We've learned the hard way about building a business that is scalable, and has the right infrastructure to keep from falling in on itself.

Thankfully, it seems to get easier. You can learn from your mistakes, and start a little further forward every time if you take the time to think about what you're doing in a new startup.

Great post!

-Rob

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

Manizesto — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 19:02:34 -0000

This is very, very true. Probably one of the most overlooked aspects of getting a business off the ground is taking the time to develop a strong marketing plan. Without one, you'll never be sure if you're targeting the right people with the right offer at the right place and time.

Many entrepreneurs get so excited about their business idea that they forget to ask themselves whether anyone aside from themselves is excited about what they're doing. I know I've done it.

Re: Launching a Startup is Barely Step One

TL Brown — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 16:45:13 -0000

great advice... I think your "Maintaining Buzz" is key