the blog
Semi-regular musings on all things marketing, data, product, and business.
KPIs are not enough
KPIs without a strategy or a plan don't help; if you don't have an action plan for the data you're collecting, what's the point? And not only could it result in a lot of wasted effort, it may actually steer you in the wrong direction. If you have an action plan for your KPIs (and you actually execute that plan) you’ll see results that’ll help inform your next move.
Startups, we need to talk about your value proposition
Launching a product or service? Aside from endless outreach, Linkedin messages, calling in favors and networking events, you need a solid story to tell prospective clients and investors. You need a pitch deck. But if they’re so important, why do so many pitch decks...well...suck?
Startup Bootcamp, Part 14: Analyze Feedback and Iterate
Let’s reflect on what you just accomplished, because it’s pretty big. You built a simple, three-component landing page, drove at least 100 pairs of eyes to it, got email sign-ups, received generally positive feedback on your concept and tweaked your offering based on the feedback you received. Sheesh! Wipe that sweat off your brow; that’s a productive three hours.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 9: Get market feedback from 10 people
This next step kicks off the Agile, validated learning and iteration process. Get used to it, nerds (that’s a compliment); this process is continuous from this point onward.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 8: Develop User Personas
A user persona is where you take all the data you’ve collected and create a persona to represent your target audience. Use the chart below to organize your user personas. We’ve included one of Primal Post’s:
Startup Bootcamp, Part 7: Identify your target audience
While you may think your idea is so groundbreaking the whole world will want it, you’ll need to narrow your scope. Having a product a few people love and would recommend to their friends is much more valuable than many people who think your product is “just OK.” This is where you flesh out who you think will care about your idea..
Startup Bootcamp, Part 6: Stalk your competitors
Ever “stumble upon” the Facebook profile of the person you’re meeting later for coffee? Search for your boss’ Zillow listing? See? You’ve been preparing to stalk your competition your whole life and you didn’t even know it. Dig a little deeper to see how worthy these adversaries are and how they might impact you.
Startup Bootcamp, Part 4: Framing your MVP like a science experiment
Remember your middle school science fair? Hastily designed tri-fold poster boards and the ribbons that had no monetary value, but carried more weight than gold? Channel your adolescence and apply the scientific method to your MVP. State your hypothesis, make your assumptions, outline how you’ll measure success and record your observations. Glue sticks not required (you’ll need those for a later section).
Startup Bootcamp, Part 3: The sniff test
The sniff test is an analysis using no outside research to quickly determine if your idea is worth pursuing. We explain how to get it done. And fast.