I’ve tried launching a dozen or more projects or businesses over the years. With the one exception of my copywriting service business, they’ve all failed.
When I look back on what happened, the conclusion is clear:
I focused on making a great product, hoping that would be all the marketing I would need. It was not.
I just launched another project last week (my email newsletter on corona travel). So I want to remind myself, and perhaps you also, of the advice of a very successful entrepreneur.
This is a guy who has launched or helped launch dozens of multimillion-dollar businesses… including one that’s gotten to the billion-dollar level.
The amazing thing is he’s been willing to share much of what he’s learned about starting and growing a business. He’s even taken the trouble to write it all down in an A-Z book, so you dont have to hunt for his wisdom across various interviews, or buy $50k+ coaching or masterminds.
The entrepreneur in question is Mark Ford. His A-Z guide on lauching and growing a business is called Ready, Fire, Aim. And here’s what Mark says:
“For most entrepreneurial businesses, it is enough to have the product and customer service just okay at the outset. Perfecting them can be done a little later, after you have gotten feedback from your customers.”
Aha. That’s where I’ve been going wrong. So what should I, and maybe you, do instead at the outset? Here’s Mark again:
“To be a truly effective entrepreneur, you must become your business’s first and foremost expert at selling. There is only one way to do this: Invest most of your time, attention, and energy in the selling process. The ratio of time, creativity, and money spent on selling as opposed to other aspects of a business should be something like 80/20, with 80 percent going towards selling and only 20 percent toward everything else.”
Speaking of selling, here’s a pitch:
I write an email un-newsletter about marketing and copywriting. If you’re interested in starting or growing a business, you might find it valuable. Here’s how to subscribe.