Lessons Learned: Launching 2 Web Apps in 1 Year

Learn from our mistakes (and achievements) experienced while building and launching our two analytics SaaS products: HookFeed and Minimalytics.

Transcript

1. Lessons Learned:
   Launching 2 Web Apps in 1 Year
   

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2. DON’T: Get Comfortable
   You have one goal:
   Build a product people will pay for.
   !
   Your time is limited…
   Don’t waste any of it.
   

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3. DO: Assume Year 1 Rev. == $0
   You’ll Build it. They’ll Come.
   You’ll get Filthy Rich.
   !
   Wrong.
   It takes time and effort to lock in
   recurring revenue. Be realistic and
   expand your runway.
   

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4. DON’T: Overthink Design
   Product changes daily
   Your design from today won’t be
   there tomorrow.
   !
   Save your money
   And find a designer willing to design
   a style guide to set your direction.
   

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5. DO: Skype with Your Heroes
   They’re people just like you.
   And they love helping others.
   As long as they believe you’re
   willing to listen and learn.
   !
   Reach out on Twitter.
   Make it about them.
   Make them feel awesome.
   

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6. DON’T: Get Distracted by Clients
   Client work tends to get in the way
   of product work.
   Don’t Let It.
   !
   Look out for red flags, charge 5x
   your normal rates, and try to
   productize your consulting.
   

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7. DO: Accept Client Work
   You want to live in a world where
   you can work on your own
   projects 24/7.
   But you’re not there yet.
   !
   Don’t turn away a good client gig…
   But stay focused on product.
   

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8. DON’T: Build 2+ Products
   One software product is enough
   work to build, let alone market.
   !
   You can’t be distracted by building
   two different products. You think it’ll
   be easy for you.
   It won’t be. Trust me.
   

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9. DO: Market 2 Related Products
   As you build your list of beta testers,
   you should be cross-promoting a
   second, related product to the same
   audience.
   !
   It costs you nothing,
   and gives you options.
   

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10. DON’T: Listen to Popular Advice
    Common advice is common because
    it is how most people believe you
    should react to events.
    !
    Nothing about what you’re
    doing is common.
    So be careful who you listen to…
    

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11. DO: Listen to Other Entrepreneurs
    Seek out a support group, a chat
    room, a forum. Any place you’re
    surrounded by others doing what
    you want to be doing.
    !
    Ask for advice. Learn from those
    more experienced than you.
    

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12. DON’T: Let Your Health Suffer
    Create your minimum viable workout.
    !
    Do it. Every. Single. Day.
    At a bare minimum, go for a walk or
    stretch/meditate for 30 minutes.
    !
    And eat healthy. You’re only human.
    

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13. DO: Structure Your Days
    Find your most productive time of
    day. Regularly do your most
    challenging work during that time.
    If you work from home, leave. Go to
    a coffee shop. Go for a walk.
    !
    Enjoy your freedom.
    

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14. DO: Ask Me Anything
    I love helping other entrepreneurs.
    Find me on Twitter: @SDMattG
    I’m Matt Goldman.
    I started Small HQ with my girlfriend
    and we run two analytics products:
    HookFeed and Minimalytics.
    

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