How, Exactly, Am I Supposed to Make Something People Want? (FS121)

It’s stupid how simple it should be. If you want a successful business, make something people want enough to pay you money for it.

Duh, right?

In practice, however, it is dubious and complex, requiring enough art, science and faith that we might as well call it alchemy.

Here’s a 45 minute conversation about that very topic. If you listen to it, you’ll know how, exactly, you’re supposed to make something people want. Enjoy!

Paul Graham on the very best startup ideas:

“The very best startup ideas tend to have three things in common: they’re something the founders themselves want, that they themselves can build, and that few others realize are worth doing. Microsoft, Apple, Yahoo, Google, and Facebook all began this way.”

Paul Graham

What we’ve seen is this: blazing your own trail as an entrepreneur requires a lot of faith in yourself, and sometimes that faith backfires.

We get tunnel vision, we get precious about our ideas, we stop letting in the feedback of the world out of a need to protect ourselves and our idea.

It’s true that starting an independent business requires a ton of self confidence, but the lesson here is that you can’t get stuck too deep inside your head.

You’ve got to make sure there’s actually a market for your idea. Don’t make the mistake of getting stuck too far inside your own head; make something people want.

Show Notes

Entrepreneur on Fire with Stephanie Crowder — (Be sure to check out the other Fizzler episodes of EOF from last week: Chase, Barrett, Abby, Andrea and Andy.

Smeagolling.biz — Preciousize It™