Turn Paralyzing Fear Into Small Steps, Embrace Healthy Caution
“Scared” as in “frozen, cannot do it,” is something to overcome. Take small steps, start with something not-scary, ask “what’s the worst that could happen” and realize it’s not that bad. “Scared” as in “unsure, guarded, aware,” is healthy. Use that.
Practice Intentionally, Build Skill, Stay Calm Regardless
ICYMI: Remastered classic article: Intentional practice and experience is how you become capable and calm. So you don’t have that yet, for most things that you’d like to have. You could still be calm about it, though. https://t.co/hkcCbyzL3b
Master Saying No to Prioritize, Then Explain Gracefully
At first your job is to say “no” to nearly everything so you can say “yes” deeply to the few things that matter. Later, it’s to show others why it’s a “no” without them feeling bad, or unheard.
Offer Phone Support for All, Nudge Upgrades when Abused
On your pricing page, say that telephone support only comes with the largest plan. But then just always answer the phone. Abuse will be rare. If someone does it consistently, just help them gently to upgrade or leave.
Free Tiers Attract Users, Not Validate Them
If you suddenly started charging $1/mo for your 'free' tier, most users would quit. That’s why free tiers 𝘢𝘳𝘦 useful but they 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵 customer development. https://t.co/9ezISx6c10
Distribution Beats Moats: Writing for Personal Growth
Had an awesome time with @mijustin and the rest of the panel talking about whether it’s true that “distribution is the new moat” and the best way to write for personal development: https://t.co/Xg8E9ba3UP
Doubters Are Right; Ignoring Them Fuels Innovation
Those that say “it can’t be done” or “it doesn’t make sense” or “but others failed when they tried…” …are usually correct. Also, if we listened, the world would never improve, startups would never form, and even the few successes wouldn’t exist. https://t.co/JqYh0oiGMm
Founders Spark Sales, Then Hire Process Experts
Yes, founder-led class at the beginning is crucial. You sell based on expertise and excitement, and you learn about the market. However also founders are notoriously terrible at building repeatable sales processes for muggles to follow, even if they're wonderful at...
Success and Failure Share Similar Daily Habits
Companies that fail often do almost the same things as companies that succeed. So… what can we really learn? Exploring: https://t.co/1UmYoktWzN
Choose Your Goals, Not Others' Expectations or Ego
They say it’s healthy to ignore your ego and others’ expectations. It is. But those forces aren’t automatically wrong. Maybe they motivate you to greatness. You don’t want to lose that. The key is whether you chose those goals or not: https://t.co/GVXA3QVs3f
Tame Churn First, Then Chase 100% NRR
First get your cancellation rate under control (at least for your ICPs), and then focus on creating NRR ≥ 100%. Here’s the full story, with a real-world example, of why this is the correct order of operations, and how to measure...
True Building in Public Means Honesty, Not Hype
I’m so naive I thought “building in public” meant honestly sharing the ups and downs, so others can commiserate and encourage and celebrate and even give feedback. As opposed to posturing, going for “viral” posts, and sometimes just lying. Again, naive, I...
Prioritize Valuable Content, Then Sprinkle in Upsells
Do you email your customers only to upsell them? Or do you email with info they can really use? And then sometimes intersperse upsells? https://t.co/kQhWRDlul6
Start Now, Embrace Gaps, Seek Help, Keep Going
No one is ever completely “ready” for something difficult that they’ve never done before. So: Just start. But also: You know you’ll run into gaps, so realize that along the way, back off, get help, then get back to it.
Say Yes for Opportunity, No for Focus
Koan #66 “Say yes to everything” brings opportunity. “Say no to everything” brings focus. Speak the word that brings what you need today.  And the student was enlightened. https://t.co/gZawrwsXaJ