Yesterday, I proclaimed my love for Seth Godin.
Why? Well, starting a new business isn’t a cookie-cutter process. There are always lessons to learn and ways to improve. And, with each new lesson, there are inevitably new items to add to your ‘to-do’ list. Although these items are more than likely good things, they may not be the right things. I’m learning that the right things are often the hard things BUT they are also the lasting, worth-while things, too.
Business Models and How to Start a Startup
For example: business models … My first response? Ick. That doesn’t sound like the most fun part of starting a business to me. However, I do believe having the right business model is completely necessary, and absolutely essential to the direction and growth of my startup.
Still, the task of exactly how to ‘start’ a startup can feel overwhelming at times. (It probably doesn’t help that I’m a perfectionist, struggling to relinquish the perfect for the good.)
Startup School
So, when I stumbled onto, ‘Startup School’ by Seth Godin yesterday evening, I proceeded to devour the first couple hours with reckless abandon.
Warning: This podcast, may cause restless idea generation if consumed before bedtime. Use caution if listening after 8pm.
If you’re in the early stages of starting your business or you’re reassessing the direction of your business, I highly suggest giving Seth’s podcast a listen. I literally took pages of notes, and I haven’t even reached the half-way point of the series. Did I mention this resource is completely free?
Here are some of the thoughts I’m mulling over due to the insights found within ‘Startup School’ …
- This is an economy of connections. Connections lead to trust. Trust is essential to product trial, trial and creating life-long customers.
- There is a difference between being an entrepreneur and being a freelancer/consultant. You must know which one you are and create your business plan accordingly.
- Does your target audience (he calls it a tribe) know about you?
- Do they trust you?
- What are you doing that is both hard and scarce? (both are needed for your business tor produce value)
- As you produce your good/service does it become more valuable or less valuable?
- You don’t have to be afraid of someone stealing your idea. Competition is healthy and necessary to increasing awareness of your product/service, AND since it’s your idea, you’ve got a head start.
- Pick one ‘tribe’ and hone in. You can’t be everything to everyone and expect to be successful. Focus on one target group and give them your all. They will feel the love, and recognize their need for you. Of course, research is essential to pick the right tribe for your product/service.
Are you geeking out yet? I want to spend the rest of the day listening but I do have to run my business … Oh, and he talks about that too!
Are you already a Seth Godin fan? Have you listened to Startup School? Weigh-in with your thoughts below, and I’d love to hear your recommendations.
~ Kate
