Building a startup is tough!
We struggled for 2.5 years & then grew from $700k to $2 million in 1.5 years.
Marketing, sales, product & even managing my own mindset - we had to do well in all.
Here are 7 lessons along with links to detailed threads on my personal experiences👇🏼
We struggled for 2.5 years & then grew from $700k to $2 million in 1.5 years.
Marketing, sales, product & even managing my own mindset - we had to do well in all.
Here are 7 lessons along with links to detailed threads on my personal experiences👇🏼
1/ Validating your idea
A 100% validation of your idea cannot be done without actually taking the leap.
Your goal needs to be to get a better sense of the market and to improve your odds of success.
A 100% validation of your idea cannot be done without actually taking the leap.
Your goal needs to be to get a better sense of the market and to improve your odds of success.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1395249741873565699
2/ Product building
Use your product to drive your business & NOT the other way around.
Also, don't build in isolation - make the simplest version that can get you going.
We wasted $10k to build rubbish and then made the first $100k using GoogleSheets.
Use your product to drive your business & NOT the other way around.
Also, don't build in isolation - make the simplest version that can get you going.
We wasted $10k to build rubbish and then made the first $100k using GoogleSheets.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1363753880849317888
3/ Leveraging NoCode
Building quality products has become really easy & affordable.
Sure, NoCode tools have limitations, but they are really solid to get you going in the early stages.
Our stack costs us ~$80/ month and supports our $2mn in revenue.
Building quality products has become really easy & affordable.
Sure, NoCode tools have limitations, but they are really solid to get you going in the early stages.
Our stack costs us ~$80/ month and supports our $2mn in revenue.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1401766704422608896
4/ Finding your first 10 customers
Don't try to acquire customers in a "scalable fashion" from the word go.
You usually get your first ten customers through hustle and by leveraging your personal network.
Lay the foundation for your future growth.
Don't try to acquire customers in a "scalable fashion" from the word go.
You usually get your first ten customers through hustle and by leveraging your personal network.
Lay the foundation for your future growth.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1379656690740568067
5/ Embracing SEO
SEO takes time, but once it starts delivering it is one of the most reliable channels of distribution.
However, most entrepreneurs just get intimidated by the concept of SEO.
Here's a thread that explains to you like you're 5.
SEO takes time, but once it starts delivering it is one of the most reliable channels of distribution.
However, most entrepreneurs just get intimidated by the concept of SEO.
Here's a thread that explains to you like you're 5.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1418073125153955847
6/ Acing SEO
SEO gets a special second mention because our startup, Flexiple, spends $0 in paid marketing and we get ~200k in monthly traffic driving our entire business.
So, here are 21 lessons that details all that I know about SEO.
SEO gets a special second mention because our startup, Flexiple, spends $0 in paid marketing and we get ~200k in monthly traffic driving our entire business.
So, here are 21 lessons that details all that I know about SEO.
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1374948229243019272
7/ Building the right mindset
When your startup is at the idea stage don't build for millions.
Also, don't optimize your metrics for VCs. Profitability gives you freedom.
Drive with ambition but develop patience.
Here's more context to these thoughts:
When your startup is at the idea stage don't build for millions.
Also, don't optimize your metrics for VCs. Profitability gives you freedom.
Drive with ambition but develop patience.
Here's more context to these thoughts:
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1423501625562259456
Finally, from one founder to another - take care of yourself.
The journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get stressed by all that the tech media has to say.
Build for your happiness and in a way that enables the lifestyle you want.
The journey is a marathon, not a sprint. Don't get stressed by all that the tech media has to say.
Build for your happiness and in a way that enables the lifestyle you want.
That's it for this thread!
I regularly write on startups & marketing, so, if you would like more such threads, do consider retweeting the first tweet & following me :)
I regularly write on startups & marketing, so, if you would like more such threads, do consider retweeting the first tweet & following me :)
https://twitter.com/KarthikS2206/status/1425682343998615557
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