It’s finally time to have a plan for your bare-knuckled, bootstrapped, heart and hustle based small business. In this 6 part podcast series we walk you through the small business roadmap.
These aren’t 6 stages your business will go through automatically. These are the 6 stages your business should go through, the stages we want you to go through so that you and your idea are best setup for success as you define it.
We’ve worked with, consulted, coached and heard from a few thousand businesses, and in all the books we’ve read (great books like Lean Startup, 4 Steps to the Epiphany, $100 Startup and more), we haven’t seen a roadmap yet that succinctly prepares indie entrepreneurs for the challenges of business building.
So we put together our own. And we’re working with you to help make it better. (See below for details.)
When you know what the 6 stages are, you can identify not only where you are, but what stage is next.
And that right there, that tiny sense of direction, can be the difference between a successful business and just another failed side project.
In this podcast episode (and the next 5) we lay out the 6 stages as we see them, addressing the common hassles, resources and hangups for each stage.
But we need your help. We plan on adjusting this roadmap based on your feedback, so we’ll ask you a few questions on each episode because we want to hear how what we’ve laid out feels to you.
Listen to this episode (subscribe in itunes, if you haven’t), and the next several as we lay out the roadmap, with goals and resources for each stage, and as you listen, try to find exactly where you are.
It’s our hope that this roadmap will help you identify where you are, where you’re going and how to set yourself and your idea up for a home run, because, as Corbett puts it in this episode:
“Without a roadmap you spin your wheels, make no progress and settle with “entrepreneurship isn’t for me.””
Tweet This
It’s better to listen on the go! Subscribe on iTunes
“Finally — a ROADMAP for the 6 stages of small business!”
Tweet This
Clarity Steps
The 2 goals of clarity: 1). for you to understand how a business is built and 2). to help you understand who your business will serve.
A few of these are specific to Fizzle membership since we’re at the beginning of the process and learning how to use Fizzle as a tool throughout the process will be help you later on.
- Fizzle specific: Understand exactly how Fizzle will help you build a business. The forums, founder stories, courses, email programs, progress logs and more will play an important role in your progress.
- Fizzle specific: We’ll guide you through “the Fizzle way” of building a business. If you walk away from a Fizzle membership with only one thing, Corbett wants it to be our “Mindset” training because too many times we’ve seen entrepreneurs burn out simply due to unnoticed and uninformed expectations.
- Explore examples of others’ success. In Fizzle we have in depth conversations with ideal examples (we call these Founder Stories). These “success models” are important because they clarify possible processes of A to B to C in your business when you’re just winging it.
- Define what topic/niche your business will be in. There’s a course on this inside Fizzle, but Corbett asks a few questions to help you identify a really good topic for your business in this episode.
- Define who your audience or “target market” will be. (We’ve got a free guide on this: Guide to Defining Your Audience.)
“Without a roadmap…” http://t.co/JuhyNYcxki pic.twitter.com/Zoxv9yKOSw
— Fizzle (@Fizzle) April 6, 2015
The Roadmap Episodes:
- Clarity (episode 100)
- Connection (101)
- Planning (102)
- Build (103)
- Money (104)
- Scale (105)
- 4 Updates (106)
Which Stage Are You in?
If you’re in this stage, what part of this episode resonated with you? Let us know in the comments!
OR, if you’re in this stage but we didn’t talk about what you’re going through, tell us that as well.
OR, if you’ve been in this stage before, can you tell us a story about what you remember from this stage?
We’re pumped to hear from you so we can adjust this roadmap to fit your story, so let us know!
Show Notes
Crack the Social Code — “Talk to that girl you like (even if she doesn’t play D&D)”
Romance & Revenue: Big Relationship Tips for Entrepreneurs (FS055)
Steve Blank: Want Your Startup to Succeed? ‘Get Out of the Building’:
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 »
Hooray, I’m first! That was tops guys, excited to have an episode every day and cant wait for episode 3 and 4 (planning and building) – as these are my strengths but I keep getting stuck here
Six straight days of the Fizzle Show…?! Woohoo!
I’m personally at the Money Stage, but I’m really interested in hearing the first four episodes as well. I’m all about having a strong platform built, and I’m always looking for ways to strengthen it.
Thanks guys – so far so good!
Awesome, Meg. Hope you enjoy it!
Hey Guys! posted in the forums at 7:30am because I saw the episode downloaded to my phone when I woke up. What a great surprise. I listened to it on my morning commute. I am pumped about the rest of the week. This was great episode and I am so excited to see how the road-map comes together in Fizzle.
Also, Congratulations on 100 episode! You all, Corbett, Chase, Barret, and lets not forget Caleb, have clearly poured your heart and soul into this work to help all of us. Thank you so much!
Thanks, Trudi!
I heartily second that emotion! You guys really are knocking it out of the park with this little series. It’s obvious that a lot of thought went into it, and I know it will help me in my (Stage 2, going on 3) businesses. THANKS!
This was the hardest stage for me.
I started a personal blog that was more or less a journal. From there I launched a site on webcomics, followed by pregnancy health blog while my wife was pregnant, to business management education while getting my MBA, and now I have found my niche/audience in “Compulsive Creatives”.
Even though I am making money now, I feel like I will never completely leave this stage.
It is like driving on a foggy road. I know where I am and where I would like to go, but I can’t completely see what’s ahead. I am very happy with my audience and I know how to serve them, but there are a lot of things that shift and pivot as I get to know them and myself better.
Also, even while seeing money come in I wonder… Is this business thing really going to work? It can’t be this easy, yet hard at the same time.
Man, thanks Jason.
Just started a blog while currently getting an MBA! It’s been really interesting to do at the same time, as the online space is not covered much in a traditional business education.
“I am very happy with my audience and I know how to serve them”
A great place to be. Thanks for sharing this Jason.
My pleasure Adam. Unfortunately, when I did my Business Management blog I focused my writing too much on getting into colleges, job opportunities, etc.
If I did it all over again I would have written what I was learning in class. It’d have allowed homework assignments to be turned into blog posts. Plus, the website could have been a study aid for classes.
Also, I found my MBA program to be completely lacking information on the “online space”. I took one e-commerce class and it was all theoretical with no real world application or practical understanding.
That was several years ago. I hope you get more out of it in the category of online business and entrepreneurship than I did.
Good luck and congratulations.
Agreed. I’ve found that the trial and error of creating a blog and learning as I go has given me a great and inexpensive education.
You’ve also just given me a great idea for an online journal/study strategy!
Jason, I’m in that fog, too, but while you’ve found your audience and are seeing some cash reward for your efforts, I’m still in the weeds with the hem of my skirt all wet and my hair turning frizzy. I haven’t found my audience, but I am going to keep stumbling until I do!
You’re not alone in the weeds.
I was really struggling with “defining my audience” up till December of 2014 (4 months ago). I just told myself, “I am going to make something to sell”. It turns out people wanted it…
Actually, I haven’t even made it yet but tested it on Kickstarter.
Then I surveyed the people that bought my product and it turns out they have a lot in common. With each other and to me.
Strangely, the first step in knowing my audience existed was pre-selling my first course. I still have a hard time describing them, but I know they’re out there and they’re looking for what I have to offer.
I find comfort in knowing I am not the only one struggling with this part of having a business. For what it is worth, you’re not alone in the weeds.
This episode was great, I can’t wait to hear the rest. No spoilers, but everyone needs to listen to the episode all the way to the end. The voicemails from other listeners are hilarious! Without hearing the episodes with all the stages, I am probably in Stage 1 trying to get to Stage 2, or Stage 2 trying to get to Stage 3. Can’t wait to hear what’s next.
I also have to say, your show makes me literally laugh out loud. Which can get a little embarrassing when I take the train to my day job.
Keep up the good work! Love you guys!
Yea man… that Bonnie Lynch!
Thanks, Kristen — so glad you’re liking the roadmap so far.
I’m somewhere between step 1 and 4. Would love to monetize but wondering if I should wait until my audience is at a certain point. Also, what are smart realistic goals to shoot for (e.g. x twitter followers, x FB fan page likes, x email signups). How do I measure if I’m on track for success? I love goals!
You’re going to like the next few episodes, i think :)
I’ll tune in for sure! Love your podcast. I’m learning a ton!
One topic I had to go through was whether to blog anonymously or not. I didn’t want to hurt feelings and feel censored but now I’m out of blogging closet.
Awesome episode guys. I am definitely at stage #1 as I’m in the period of relaunching my business venture. What resonates with me is all about “what is the next step”. As I build the business on a limited time budget, clarity, focus and taking action is just the ticket! Looking forward to moving from Clarity to Connection!
To give my two cents about this:
During this step, the problem that I run into a lot is that I don’t like to limit myself to one topic. What happens is, instead of choosing one, (trying to grow – learning – pivoting) I just start all of the topics that I like, spread myself too thin, and none of them work.
It goes back to what Corbett said, us as entrepreneurs like ideas and get excited, it’s hard to buckle down and pick one!
Great point, Tim.
One of the things I’ve seen over and over is first time folks really focusing hard on the “one thing” with a mindset that makes it feel like the decision is final and forever.
Of course, it’s not. It grows and shifts naturally over time. You’re really only picking something for the next 2-8 months. (Which is why I love the idea of committing to launch a *season* of something instead).
Glad you added your thoughts on this, Tim. Very valuable.
That’s what I’ve had to learn over the last few months, which is exactly what you said, look at it as a season, or temporary focus. At least enough time to discover if it’s right or not. Then I can allow myself to try another.
I’m here, too. I’ve got a blog where I pontificate about equality and personhood. I run a microfiction story-telling website. I want to build hi-fi audio equipment.
Too many ideas running around too quickly for me to pin anything down.
Clarity would be wonderful…
These comments are really good guys and I’m definitely feeling the same. I find it hard picking which specific problem to focus on as it means saying no to others. My topic of interest is productivity for young professionals. I have a few ideas e.g. productivity to help young professionals allocate the time needed to start a side-business/project. OR productivity for young professionals to help them rise up their career ladder. It’s hard to commit but I like the idea of working in “seasons”, meaning I can do both – thanks Chase. Question – can a season also apply to the audience? e.g. young professionals vs. entrepreneurs?
“can a season also apply to the audience? e.g. young professionals vs. entrepreneurs?” Don’t get too semantic, Paul. “Season” and “Audience” are approximations of the real world and you can do *literally* anything you want. Make it count :)
I hear you Markus. Thanks.
Loved this episode! You spoke to exactly what i’ve been working with. Thank you.
I seem to be around stage 4. It also seems that as I continue refine and figure out what i do, it helps a lot to go back to stage 1, etc.
Would you say there is some balance of going forward then going back reviewing and refining. Just doing the work, then reviewing and refining, etc. (i love the previous episode on daily reviews, doing that has been a huge “HACK” or “GAME CHANGER” for me.)
I LOVE GAME CHANGERS. I CHANGE GAMES ALL THE TIME!!1!
“Would you say there is some balance of going forward then going back reviewing and refining?” Absolutely… especially for me since I’ve got lots of ideas and most of them have NOTHING to do with the real world. (But I don’t learn that until I try them out in some small way and reality smacks me in the face. That’s when the refining happens.)
Thanks, Jeremy.
I listened to this one and the second one so far, both are so funny! I had to stop the podcast to catch my breath. All the same I learn a lot from you guys and I am still on step one and it’s frustrating! I thought I was on step 3, but I realized I had to go back to step one because my product didn’t sell that well, I think it’s because I didn’t clarify my purpose.
“I realized I had to go back to step one because my product didn’t sell that well”… I’ve seen it happen a hundred times. You’re not alone and that’s not a weird thing to happen. You’re well on the path, Wade.
Also, thanks for enjoying the funny bits :)
I second this suggestion. Transcripts make a HUGE difference in the value that can be extracted from a podcast.
I’ll go even further (despite the fact that I don’t have any data to back this up): My hypothesis is that a transcript would pull in more Fizzle subscribers by detailing all the value communicated in the podcasts. It is obvious to us listeners who are also Fizzlers that the podcasts are a healthy taste of what is inside Fizzle, but this may not be so obvious to listeners who are on the fence about dropping a George to try out Fizzle.
Good job, once again. I just started my 11th month as a member and I’m still in stage one. But at the same time I am making some money (stage 5). I suppose to step into #6 I need to go back to the basics and pick that one thing (to start with). It is so hard, thanks for not letting me quit! During the first year I have been trying out different kinds of clients and jobs and now I finally have an idea about what to focus on. Who knew commitment would be so hard?!?
I hear you, Eve. It’s always felt unnatural to me as well. At least at the beginning. In time, as the audience develops naturally, your voice and topic develop as well and it *becomes* something else entirely.
You’re constantly refining. You’re gonna be just fine :)
Fabulous episode chaps.. :). Currently stuck in Clarity for sure.
After attending my first Fizzle Friday last week with Chase, I have
taken on the task of writing initial blog posts and setting up the
infrastructure for the project. But, as a hyper-introvert, I have
realised that one big problem I have is that I’m kind of terrified of
actually talking to real peoples about what their problems in my
particular area might be (so I see that I need to watch the video in the
show notes above). But this means that something very detailed and
practical on good ways to network and connect with customers, like how
to actually talk to people (similar to the podcast on Networking (#47?),
but for customers not peers), would be really handy. As a Brit, I also
struggle mightily with that ‘talking about myself between the songs’
thing that Americans seem to do so naturally, but since it seems to be
necessary to make connections with real peoples for this whole thing to
work, I’m going to try. I’ve hidden under a bushel all my life. And
I’m darned if I even know what a bushel actually IS, so clearly it’s
time to break out! :) Thanks guys! :)
Time indeed, Isobel :)
This podcast didn’t really hit hard enough. What happens when you are NOT clear? You just choose a niche and go for it? Every action step feels like a 100 pound weight because if you just choose a niche to choose one, and you’re not passionate about it, its hard to take action.
For my blog, whenever I tried to niche it, maintaining it became harder and harder. I just accepted that I wanted it to be a personal blog. Everything is so much easier. However, I’m not helping someone with a specific problem. You’re telling me I can’t make money then. But there are OTHERS who are doing exactly what I’m doing making loads of money. Steve Pavlina started out as just a personal blog and he’s now a millionaire.
I loved this episode. I think it really hit home for me. I have been guilty of wanting the cookie cutter method so I don’t have to think. It sucks to admit it, but it’s true.
I think this road map (or compass) may work great for me because I tend to merge all of these steps together. I start with the idea and then before it’s clear, I move to creating connections and planning my attack. Before I know it, I’m building a product and trying to monetize. I’ve been through this cycle with several products/services with varying degrees of success, but never to the degree that I would like.
I said all that to say that I think having these checkpoints setup along the way will help to know when it’s time to move on. Not that it’s an exact science, but I’m thinking of it as an MVP of business development. “If you haven’t at least done these steps in the clarify stage, don’t move on.” I’m in stage 1 as that seems to be the one that I bypass most readily.
I’m curious, how does this process line up with the “which to build first, your product or audience?” discussion? (is it legal to use two question marks in the same sentence??) It seems this approach is catered to the “audience first” approach.
Keep up the great work!
“I’ve been through this cycle with several products/services with varying degrees of success, but never to the degree that I would like.” Wow. Nailed it.
I loved how you put this too: “I’m thinking of it as an MVP of business development.”
As to your last question, stay tuned :)
Thanks, Joshua.
Joshua,
Having listened to enough material from these guys, they fall heavily into the “understand your audience first”, and then build a product. It’s a mentality that allows you to tailor your product much more powerfully the first time, rather than having to re-tool it after you’ve found your niche. Unless you develop a product like an iPhone that you know many people will want, it’s typically advantageous to get clear on who you want to serve first, becuase then what problem you are going to solve for them (and how) becomes much earier to define and to communicate.
I am pumped about this series! I’m personally in stage 5 now but it’s still always great to hear the other stages as i’m always trying to tweak and refine. I would just say while it’s good to have a focus and a niche from the start, don’t beat yourself up over it. It will naturally evolve over time and maybe even change completely once you get started. The key is to just get started and TRY something. You will only learn more about you and your potential audience by doing so.
My current blog/biz isn’t my first and it has nothing to do with any of my past businesses. Took me a while to find the one but i think i finally have (for now) ;)
“I would just say while it’s good to have a focus and a niche from the start, don’t beat yourself up over it. It will naturally evolve over time and maybe even change completely once you get started.” Well said, Marianne!
Chase I was about to put that exact quote and tell Marianne thanks. Seriously though, that’s very insightful. I’m right in the middle of that struggle! Thanks for sharing!
I’ve been in a few of these stages before, with different businesses. Right now I’m in stage 1 again, and having this roadmap is really useful, so I can look at what I need to do to get to stage 2.
In this episode, I love how you talked about taking one’s own massive complex three-dimensional personality and reducing it down to one specific point, and how that’s really difficult for lots of people to do. I have such a wide array of skills and passions to choose from, it’s been challenging to try and pick one aspect of myself to be the foundation of my business.
Then Chase said something that brought it all home – “The most exciting thing is you’re going to get to discover yourself in this business.” That’s what the journey of the entrepreneur feels like to me, it’s an introspective journey of self reflection.
It takes time, and experience, to try out a few things and get to that honed-in intersection of ‘what I love to do’ and ‘what the world needs’ and ‘what people will pay for.’ This is such a subtle, arcane divination, I’m relieved to have the Fizzle Roadmap help me figure it all out.
“I love how you talked about taking one’s own massive complex three-dimensional personality and reducing it down to one specific point, and how that’s really difficult for lots of people to do.”
Such great words. Thanks, Caelan.
I’m glad to see the discussion here about how “clarity” is rarely fully realized (with the obvious execption of you guys – when Corbett explained Fizzle’s purpose on this eposide, it blew my mind in its “clarity” and power). I also appreciate the discussion that a lot of the work is to take a few steps forward, review and then step back and pivot/iterate.
For myself, I’m simulatenously in Clairty and in Build. I have my audience half-defined (I’ve completed the define your audience course and Book Yourself Solid which reviews some of the same content, but I feel like I’m trying to chip an idea of my audience out of stone, one hit at a time). I also feel that I’m going to get a lot of value out of having the MVP to put in front of my current audience to test and iterate on.
I really like this map you’ve created. I wish it had been available to me when I started with Fizzle. Thanks for what you are doing, it’s great work.
A few people were giving me odd looks on the bus as I was laughing while listening to this today.
“a lot of the work is to take a few steps forward, review and then step back and pivot/iterate.” Totally. It’s a hard balance to keep when our expectations are set to **WIN EVERYTHING ON THE FIRST SHOT MILLIONS OF DOLLARS CIALIS VIAGRA WORK FROM HOME!!1!!**
Which is maybe what I hope this roadmap will help people the most.
Thanks, Jim.
This is FIZZLETASTIC! Although It makes me feel like I skipped around and now I am in complete confusion. I feel like I had a plan, went through some of these steps..then changed direction and now im stuck back at clarity even though I am making money and HAD a plan…I found though my blog that I gained a lot of followers looking to me for blogging advice, which isnt what my blog is truly about, but I am loving helping them and now I am stuck between branching out, starting a new blog, or just shifting directions all together. I think I just need something to smack me back into reality and really find out what stage I am at and not where I am thinking I am at. I bet that made no sense lol
“It makes me feel like I skipped around and now I am in complete confusion.” Remember, that’s totally OK. These are the IDEAL stages and sequence, things are rarely ideal in the messy, wiggly world.
“I think I just need something to smack me back into reality and really find out what stage I am at and not where I am thinking I am at.” This is my current kick in the pants: http://i.mtrfl.co/whatdoyouwant.gif
Best part of this…”I’m not done becoming somebody.”
That and the horrible/amazing Shrek blended with Scott’s Lawn Guy impression. Literally made me laugh out loud.
Well done, gentlemen.
Horrible/amazing… I’ll take that as a compliment :)
Hey guys, great episode. Thanks for the really helpful advice, I’m really looking forward to listening to the next few episodes.
I feel as if I’m in this stage. I’ve built a course, but almost feel I rushed ahead without taking enough time to fully understand my audience and their biggest problems. I definitely have a general sense of who I’m serving and my niche, but I know I’m not being specific enough.
Do I need to be really clear on my audiences problems before advancing onto the next stage, or is the general overview okay?
“I’ve built a course, but almost feel I rushed ahead without taking enough time to fully understand my audience and their biggest problems.” You’re absolutely not alone in this, Paul. Not only that, you’re setup better to learn more since you’ve already got something out into the world.
“Do I need to be really clear on my audiences problems before advancing onto the next stage, or is the general overview okay?” There’s no right answers here. The common theme in the comments is: have a hunch, make a thing, see how it goes, make changes, have more hunches, make another thing, etc. That’s certainly what my career’s looked like.
Cheers, man!
“Not only that, you’re setup better to learn more since you’ve already got something out into the world.”. That’s interesting. I was considering not even launching the course I’ve made and hold off until I’m really happy with the content. Do you think it could be more beneficial to get it out there anyway in order to gather feedback?
I think the only thing that might be missing from this is how clarity is an iterative process. I agree we all put too much focus on it in the beginning, because it’s like this HUGE question. WHO AM I? What is my business about?
The funny thing is that we think we will get to clarity by thinking about it. I didn’t find clarity until I ran my business for 2 years and just kept picking one thing seeing how it went, then pivoting, then pivoting etc.
Maybe it’s because were from a judeo/christian culture. Everyone wants the word, but the truth is that business isn’t about truth it’s about a continual practice of refinement. Of all the lessons I’ve learned about clarity it’s been this, be thoughtful, but choose something and fail fast, because it’s from the ashes of your first three failures that your real clarity comes.
I totally agree. After listening to this episode I thought I was here, but now after listening to them all, I know I’m way past this stage. But at the same time I keep coming back to the questions of what and for whom? It keeps changing and I learn about what I like to do when I work with different kinds of clients. They will teach you, I promise.
“I didn’t find clarity until I ran my business for 2 years and just kept picking one thing seeing how it went, then pivoting, then pivoting etc.” Me too, Toku. Thanks for adding that here.
Wonderful episode and amazing idea to create this series, guys!
Always love the insights you share and, well, I just love Chase’s madness!
Going to eat up as many episodes as I can in the next couple of days!
love you guys
Hey Guys,
I am really grateful for this road map. It’s something that I feel has been missing a little from fizzle, but its here now so that’s great!
I wouldn’t say I am in any one particular stage but have been working on many of them at once which is why I am really grateful for this adding direction and purpose to what I should be doing here in the Fizzle community.
I plan on working through this step by step even though I have done a few before and hope that the right order and working things out methodically will really help me make some breakthroughs.
Thanks again for the great resource.
Awesome, Jason.
Chase – is there a Fizzle course with a good guide to interviewing your target audience (i.e. some suggested guidelines on what questions to ask)?
In the Defining your Target Audience course there are action plans for researching the audience, discovering where they are, what words they use, etc. But nothing specifically on doing interviews. In my own experience, if you schedule 5 interviews you’ll have learned a great deal by the 4th :)
Woah, guys — huge breakthrough here in your thinking. “Our job is to make this feel like 1-on-1 coaching… to make consistent weekly progress.” Phenomenal. You are poised for greatness.
I just listened to this episode today and loved it! I found you guys through Chris Ducker I think? Anyway, I’m totally in this initial phase as I’ve been thinking hey I think I could do this entrepreneur thing someday, but having such a hard time narrowing down my topic and defining who my “people” are. There are a lot of different things I’m interested in, but nothing I would consider myself to be an expert at and I’m afraid with all the incredibly intelligent awesome people out there that I would be a fluke!
Even though I know realistically everybody has to start somewhere it’s hard since I’m totally a type A who feels like I need to be prepared. :) Anyway, great content and I’m about to take myself over to fizzle and sign my butt up to get schooled! Love it!
This was the first episode of your podcasts I’ve listed to, and I gotta say, wow. You guys did a great job delivering this content, and it sounds like you had way too much fun doing it. –as Kristen from Practical Mommy mentioned… I found myself laughing out loud on several occasions! I’m starting a new business this year and currently dabbling with Stage 3, but after this episode, forcing myself back to Stage 1. It looks like you’ll be saving me from wasting a bunch of time, and for that, a million thanks! Cheers!
Is there a place where we can view each breakdown of all the steps in a document? I would love to keep that as a general reference somewhere. Such an amazing tool and walkthrough!