Here's what you need to know (and avoid) when it comes to company growth:

(from a former ycombinator partner who failed a bunch of companies and sold one for $1 billion)

1. Don't over-rely on press as your primary distribution strategy.

There are very rare cases of companies that manage to hack the press by forcing reporters to write about them over and over again.

This is rarely a replicable and more importantly, sustainable, method of effective distribution.

User acquisition strategy needs to go way beyond just having a few great stories lined up on TechCrunch

The way to achieve this is to make your product 'intrinsically viral'

aka: build something so dope that people will be forced to share it with their friends

Tesla's cars are a great example of physical products that have intrinsic virality built into them, without relying on extensive advertising campaigns

They self-drive 🙂 their own marketing

2. If you haven't figured out initial growth for your company, the last thing you should do is hire a marketing specialist

I see this a lot in technical founders who have just raised a huge round and have no idea what to do with it (cont.)

If you don't have PMF, but force-feed marketing anyway you will run into two outcomes.

Your entire business fails; or you succeed in *spite* of your hires. While one is marginally better, both are far from ideal.

3. Growth masks all problems

Whether its a morale, management, or recruiting problem - it boils down to having a 'growth problem.'

(cont.)

During high-growth periods, these problems are masked. This can be helpful because it won't impede your ability to recruit people or be productive.

However,

4. Growth never lasts forever

Low-growth periods are inevitable, and these tend to be the times when those masked problems become very apparent.

Two implications here:

(i). Do whatever you can to keep growing - super important.

If you can just get *some* growth going, you will find that other problems tend to work themselves out (at least temporarily).

This needs to happen as a baseline for your startup to even be functional.

(ii). Do not accumulate too much debt in the areas that are masked by growth - as soon as growth slows down, these problems will become serious.

It is crucial that you are able to handle them without being so overwhelmed that growth completely stalls and you go into free-fall.

Proactively monitor and tackle pressing issues during high-growth periods, instead of scrambling to put out fires while the ship slowly sinks.

https://twitter.com/justinkan/status/1434230120777011202

#growth

@unicornholding

120 Neural Networks in One Picture

Explore a visual cheat sheet of 120 neural networks tailored for various tasks — a clear roadmap to AI tools.

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Have you ever thought about launching your startup on Product Hunt?

If you play it right, you get a lot of free traffic. Many startups use it to test their initial Product-Market-Fit. In the best case scenario, you get traction.

@unicornholding

Hey guys, let's support CryptoDo on Product Hunt!

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We'd really appreciate your support and feedback: https://www.producthunt.com/posts/cryptodo

Thank you 💙

Build your up-level network

Before every fundraising campaign, I highly recommend building your *up-level network*. If you are planning a pre-seed raise, find founders who recently raised it. If you are prepping for seed round, find founders who raised seed before. Same for round A.

Approach founders with some similarity (industry sector, demographics, business model) and ask for their advice (10-20 min call or text chat) for you prepping towards fundraising. Share you deck and/or target investor list in advance. Don't ask for investor names or intros yet. Just general fundraising planning advance.

Good questions to ask:
— What are the "hot trends" for venture investors I can attach our company to?
— What are the weak spots in my pitch to fix?
— What kind of investor will be most interested in our work?
— What are our stringest points from your opinion?

Once you've talked/chatted with 20-50 "up-level" founders, you can hit them all at once later, when you are ready to raise. You'll show them that you've addressed some of their feedback points. Now they can see your progress-making ability and will be more confident making intros for you.

#fundraising #networking

@unicornholding

10 Life-Changing Lessons I Learned From Paul Graham

#Paul_Graham #y_combinator

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Life-Changing Advice for Startup Founders:

Here's a crucial yet often underrated principle that applies not only to startups but to life in general: Always provide real value when seeking help or support from others.

Whether you're reaching out to your community, investors, friends, or anyone else, offering something valuable beforehand is key. Clearly articulate what they stand to gain by assisting you, supporting you, or collaborating with you. Be specific about the benefits they'll receive.

By following this approach, you'll open doors that might have otherwise remained closed. Providing real value creates a positive impression, builds trust, and establishes strong relationships. It's a powerful way to attract support and assistance.

Remember, it's not about merely asking for help but also showing the genuine value you can bring to the table. This mindset shift can be a game-changer for your startup and your personal growth.
Embrace the power of giving, and you'll find that doors will open, opportunities will arise, and regrets will be replaced with rewarding collaborations and fruitful outcomes.

So, use this invaluable advice to fuel your startup journey and make a difference in your life and the lives of those you engage with.

@unicornholding

500+ Resources for Startup Founders

#resources #hot #how_to_launch_a_startup

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