What is the worst thing that a fledgling startup/founder can do?
Business Marketing with Nika
19 replies
I am just asking, I do not know. 🤷♀️😀
But I have a few hypotheses.
1️⃣ Not knowing what they gonna do (like no goal, no plan, no clue about the target audience, no anything...)
2️⃣ Relying on funding AKA Product profitability > Raised money.
At the end of the day, it's how much you sold your products, not how much you raised. No one will donate indefinitely.
3️⃣ Creating a product nobody wants (make sure you are not the only person who would buy the product) 😀
But it is about YOUR ANSWERS...
so...
👇
Replies
Kshetez Vinayak@kshetez_vinayak
You've nailed some critical pitfalls, especially for tech startups. I'd add to your list:
4️⃣ Ignoring user feedback: Some founders get so attached to their vision, they dismiss early user critiques. This arrogance can kill a startup. Your users are your compass—listen closely.
5️⃣ Poor team dynamics: Choosing partners based on friendship rather than complementary skills, or not aligning on values. Co-founder conflicts are startup killers. Faced this more than once. so hoping wont repeat this.
6️⃣ Scaling prematurely: Rushing to grow before product-market fit. It's like putting rocket fuel in a car without wheels—you'll burn resources without moving forward.
these are some points I have experienced or learnt from others. so thought of sharing here.
Thanks Nika for sparking this discussion.
I will be launching an AI startup this month. If anyone else is navigating these waters, maybe we could connect and keep each other accountable.
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Asa.team
@kshetez_vinayak would you say knowing keywords and SEO optimisation is equally important?
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@kshetez_vinayak all are true. I am pretty sure we could find more :)
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You don't have to be shy to answer btw :D
WebCurate
In my opinion, creating a startup without having a proper payment strategy for it. In other words, just building something amazing and hoping for money to come eventually.
I experienced this at the start of my building career! 😅
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@hosseinyazdi did you have any strategy? :DDDD
WebCurate
@busmark_w_nika Haha, yes actually, I hoped my platform would grow so high in traffic that I would be able to make an amount solely from running ads from it!
But that required a HUGE traffic!
Now that I'm thinking about it, it isn't worth calling it a strategy! :)
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@hosseinyazdi what would be your strategy now? :)
Launching soon!
I agree with #3. I'm reading Million Dollar Weekend by Noah Kagan at the moment. Validate first and do it fast.
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@dan_o_malley I need to read that book :) Thanks for tip :)
Launching a startup without user research is like trying to drive with your eyes closed - it's gonna be a bumpy ride! 😉 #KnowYourAudience
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@thestarkster In my case, it is living with glasses, I am totally blind :D
Spot on! @busmark_w_nika I totally agree with 3! But I reckon most successful startup ideas started with a "personal problem". You've just got to validate if the market is big enough + if a similarly hungry audience is out there for the same problem.
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@ohansemmanuel that's the point. Many people do not validate the solution and they end up with a product that solved only their problem.
Waiting to launch your product when it is perfect- it means you are too late to the market.
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@my3_murthy Perfectionism kills the action. I was afraid of many things that I didn't start. Many ideas died sooner than they saw the light of day. 🥲
Raise again...a down round is a awful sign no matter what the market looks like on the macro.
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@jd_worcester What do you exactly mean?
up for this!