| On a recent podcast interview I was asked -- What do I think is the most important first step for a new entrepreneur? I stopped and thought for a moment. Then the answer jumped into my head... Help someone. That was it. Help one person. Eric Ries, the 'father' of the Lean Startup movement talks about testing product ideas based on what people actually want. He teaches concepts like a Minimal Viable Product, and testing lean, with the goal of validating ideas with real customers and building features only when they will have an immediate impact. This methodology came about because so many startups built what they thought people want, only to find out after years of development and millions of dollars spent, that demand just wasn't there. The message here is to not waste money and move as quickly as you can to get something in front of actual customers. The Lean Laptop Lifestyle Most of the people I teach are not going to invest millions of dollars into product development. Our goal is simple - create a cashflow positive business that can fuel a freedom focused lifestyle. That doesn't mean we're not just as prone to wasting time. I see these mistakes repeated... - People stuck in the 'analysis' phase or the 'research' phase, looking for certainty when it's impossible to find
- The 'perpetual student' who loves buying courses, but never translates their education into action, and hence never makes money
- A person who is afraid to promote their work, so never gets traffic, never builds a list, and thus never makes any meaningful impact
- Someone who is great at creating content and fostering a community, but never tries to sell something because they are afraid of the potential backlash
Over the years as a coach I've refined my focus to help push people out of these 'comfort zones'. My message has become so simple... I tell people to go help someone. If you plan on selling something to certain people, whether it's digital products or software or physical products, go out there and find one person you can test your idea on. Get one coaching client, or offer your service, beta software or test product to one person. This might sound like an overly simple goal, but that's why it is so powerful. By helping someone you're forced to reach out to other people and make an offer. It forces to you clarify what your first offer is, including how to present and pitch it as soon as possible. It also forces you to think like a marketer. You have to find a way to get in front of the right person for what you are offering. Everything becomes real when you do this. ...and that's all BEFORE you actually help someone. Once you do find that first person, it gets even better! You learn who this person is, how they talk, what their hopes and dreams and fears and challenges are. On top of this you learn how good your product or service is. You learn what works, what doesn't, and where you need to make changes. Then once it's all over, you have your first case study. Case Study = Your Best Marketing In an ever increasingly noisy internet, the businesses that succeed are those that genuinely help people. You may have noticed in my own marketing I've put emphasis on showing you case studies and testimonials from people I've helped. My industry is full of hucksters and scam artists. I don't need to convince you of that. Hence my most powerful marketing tool to build trust are my past and current members. This is the same for you. The sooner you can build a history of success stories, of satisfied customers, the sooner you will have what you need to create powerful marketing. This makes the idea of helping just one person become even more important. The sooner you get your first client, the closer you are to creating that first case study. This takes you one step closer to your second customer, your second case study, and onwards. Each customer is a building block to making better products, having the resources for better marketing, and ultimately, the cashflow you need to support your lifestyle goals. Let Me Help You Get Your First Customer If your business is not up and running yet, my primary goal as your coach in the Laptop Lifestyle Academy is to help you get your first customer. In many ways, my task is to help you get out of your own way. You need to get the right mindset in place, learn how to create a technical foundation, clarify who you help, then get out there and help that first person. It's not too late for you to join us in the Academy and work towards this goal... The doors close this Monday at midnight, the 17th of October, 2016.  Our next coaching webinar is on the 26th of October, which is when you can speak to me directly. The private Slack Chat and Academy forums are available 24/7, so you always have a place to turn to for help. Plus you also receive my short training courses, including training on how to refine your first offer, a vital first step to finding your first customer. I'll see you in the Academy, Yaro Starak
Entrepreneurs-Journey.com
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Hi! I'm Yaro Starak. I've been living the laptop lifestyle thanks to blogging since 2005.
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