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!
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“For anyone who’s ever thought ‘how, exactly, am I supposed to makes something people want?’”
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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.”
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.
“blazing your own trail as an entrepreneur requires a lot of faith in yourself, and sometimes that faith backfires.”
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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™
Learn how to set goals that actually stick!
The Top 10 Mistakes in Online Business
Every week we talk with entrepreneurs. We talk about what’s working and what isn’t. We talk about successes and failures. We spend time with complete newbies, seasoned veterans, and everything in between.
One topic that comes up over and over again with both groups is mistakes made in starting businesses. Newbies love to learn about mistakes so they can avoid them. Veterans love to talk about what they wish they had known when starting out.
These conversations have been fascinating, so we compiled a list of the 10 mistakes we hear most often into a nifty lil' guide. Get the 10 Most Common Mistakes in Starting an Online Business here »
This podcast should come with a warning label. May cause injury if listening during strenuous activity (like working out). About fell on my face laughing at the gym this morning.
And, this episode hit me square in the face. I’m a “dad blogger” of sorts, but have struggled with “making something people want”. Turns out most dads don’t read dad blogs or read dad books. Trying to reach the same audience a different way.
Fatherhood Apprentice…
I know that feeling man. I started as a Dad Blogger and it was near impossible beyond the dad blogging community to get my stuff read by other dads. It was usually mums who read it. So I’ve gone a different route but I hope you figure it out!
Haha! Glad I’m not alone. Maybe I can create a resource for failed dad bloggers. :)
Or maybe a resource as “the next step” for dad bloggers who want to go to the next level?
i LOVED the energy of this episode!
In online business, my gut feeling says that people spend too much time thinking about what other people want and not enough time thinking about the type of content they enjoy creating, and more importantly, the execution of creating that content. Execution determines most of the success, not some super unique idea. I think picking an established niche and executing better than just about everyone else is the safest route to success. Blazing a brand new trail is difficult. Fortunately, Fizzle teaches how to execute at a high level on a consistent basis.
Also, thank you for the shoutout to Abby on EOF! She was nervous but had a blast doing the interview. It really is amazing the connections we’ve made and the opportunities that have come our way through Fizzle.
Great Post..
Hell yeah. Ode to the south! #Alabama ha ha