Tweets

@petersuhm @arvidkahl @TransistorFM I like to think more in terms of:
“Who wants this today?”

https://justinjackson.ca/build

@freyfogle @petersuhm @arvidkahl I think that what Arvid and I are trying to do is still valuable: tease apart the complexity of “how and why startups gain traction.”

There’s no guarantee of success, but there are principles that can guide entrepreneurs to better markets.

Better market = better chances

@petersuhm @arvidkahl I had a good chat about this on the @FounderQuest podcast (starting around 35:22).

https://overcast.fm/+RSdGGNle4/35:22

@arvidkahl @nikstep @petersuhm I like “pull” a lot too.

However, it still matters how many people are “pulling” (meaning, the number of people actively looking for a solution has to be sufficiently large).

The demand can’t be too small.

@petersuhm @arvidkahl It all depends on your semantics. 😜

The primary message I’m trying to communicate is “the size of the wave you’re trying to catch matters.”

If there’s no evidence of market pull (people actively buying in your category) it’s going to be a lot harder.

https://justinjackson.ca/today

@tylertringas @joshuaanderton SaferVPN (2013)
ConvertKit (2013)
Ghost (2013)
Helpmonks (2015)
Snappa (2015)
Pinecast (2016)
Transistor (2018)
Rewardful (2018)

@tylertringas @joshuaanderton You’re right: sometimes you can start with the appetizer and progress to the main dish (Freshbooks started with invoicing, moved on to full accounting software).

@tylertringas @joshuaanderton Adding the niche/positioning vector here is interesting (and something I hadn’t initially related to this post).

The article is more around your category (value stack?) and what product sucks up most of the value in that category.

ConvertKit = ESP (main thing)

@thibpat 😳 yikes! I should change that

@misener But maybe you travelled through time and you actually live in 2015 now?

@0xholman Me too

@benry Love it.

My new full time job is just watching these beatbox loopstation battles

https://youtu.be/3FPVxGMOAS4

Absolute legend.

If you haven’t experienced a Mitch Hedburg (RIP) set, this one is full of idiosyncratic delight.

https://youtu.be/Z_XbtYfrNYI

@TonyStark974 That’s just a textured png. 😄

@skiltz Simpler to build, yes.

And, that might be a good place to start.

But, in most “value chains” there are 1-2 players who suck up most of the value (the main dish).

Example: You might have a fancy new CMS, but for most people that’s an appetizer. It’s web hosting they pay for.

Alright, just updated this. Not sure if I made it better or worse! 🤦‍♂️

Let me know what you think:
https://justinjackson.ca/the-main-thing https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1221207949810401280

In the midst of re-writing most of this.

If you still haven't read today's piece, wait a bit longer because it's changing quite a bit. 🤙

https://twitter.com/dohertyjf/status/1221124937508773888

I’ll be your @byte_app friend. 🤙

I’m mijustin. ✨

@marshal Really dig this. 👍

@dohertyjf Thanks! I feel like I still need to clean it up a bit, and I had some more insights on it this morning while walking.

I’ll update it soon.

@EspreeDevora Thanks! I didn't feel "on top of my game" but I'm glad it was helpful. 👍

How to get more podcast subscribers – ideas for the @tortoise https://www.pscp.tv/w/cPtNXDM4NTU1MXwxbER4TG9CYW1abUpt7_5OHu512JN-Skav1YrFnG6tAQ-dYZjMYsTtdkG39kY=

@daviswbaer @robwalling @startupspod Oh definitely!

It can be an incredibly helpful channel.

@daviswbaer @robwalling @startupspod It really depends on the market.

Some markets have authoritative that write guides, articles, etc.. and have built up a big audience. Those kinds of sites make good affiliates.

Most of our affilaite revenue comes from three affiliates.

@madebyroom BTW – we have one of these Room booths in our coworking place. I’m a big fan.

Despite all the “haha you made open offices and now you’re buying tiny cubicles” memes, I actually think open office + these types of booths are a good solution.

Great marketing copy from @madebyroom.

What office worker hasn't had these kinds of struggles?

If you want to resonate with an audience, identify the real struggles they face every day.

When they see their feelings articulated, they'll say:

"Wow, these folks understand me!"

@kevincwhelan @podia @TransistorFM We don’t have a “customer sync” option yet, but you can use our invite links inside your course/onboarding:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bCVBFiGzqo

I’m using this option personally!

RT @honeybadgerapp: @FounderQuest ⚔️ is making history today! @mijustin cofounder of @TransistorFM joins us as our first guest ever and cr…

@mattantwest @Wildbit Omg. So much. Are we talking about on a company level?

How does our AWS hosting impact our carbon footprint?

Let’s Encrypt?

All the sending and receiving bandwidth we use?

Small is beautiful.

We should stop aspiring to build companies that are big tech behemoths.

“There seems to be only one cause behind all forms of social misery: bigness.” https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/979208870122827776

@mjwhansen @tylertringas 💯

@ProductHunt @alexisohanian 🙌

@tylertringas Yes! This includes blindly following advice from founders (including jackasses like me).

“Charge more!”
“Don’t target a niche!”
“Credit card up front!”

Folks should feel more free to do things that go against the “common wisdom.”

Do what works. ✌️

@developerjack @TransistorFM There @Kayako

@colingmcatee @jackmcdade @statamic @Netlify Yup! Essentially the same deployment sequence I was using before.

Just commit to git and MAGIC.

Demo: use @Statamic as a static site generator and deploy to @Netlify. ✨

This is the future.

Now, instead of paying hundreds (thousands?) of dollars every year for hosting, you can buy a Statamic license once, and host for free/low cost on Netlify!

https://youtu.be/4bTk5JeKydU

@tomblocke @nomadicmatt Hahaha. Yeah, I’ve got 4 kids. I’m way over my limit.

@patrickbjohnson To me, Webflow is just an extension of what’s been happening for years with WordPress, Dreamweaver, Adobe Flash, Geocities, etc

@tomblocke @nomadicmatt Nice. I’m digging the in-depth personal research!

One thing I didn’t see him mention is that, in terms of personal carbon footprint, flying is actually 3rd biggest on that list.

https://qz.com/1671617/how-much-does-your-flight-actually-hurt-the-planet/

@patrickbjohnson Products that enable “no-code” or products built on no-code?

@logannickleson Yes! I need to understand what all this stuff does. Gonna watch some YouTube clips later. 😜

@joeworkman https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/loopy-hd-looper/id467923185

@thejonotron https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/loopy-hd-looper/id467923185

Still don’t know what I’m doing.

Someone teach me how to use this.

@tnorthcutt @shl @TransistorFM 👋

@statamic Ok. That was incredible. That static site generator --> Netlify IS THE FUTURE.

Can I install @Statamic 3 and get one of these starter packs going? https://www.pscp.tv/w/cPi-NTM4NTU1MXwxdk94d2Fkd1hSREdC7Y3nL_y8iCGqyeaEHUIWgN3-ITUnCWW4g6eV6BFNESY=

@codingrob @joshuaanderton Yup. https://saas.transistor.fm/episodes/whats-your-sustainable-competitive-advantage

@mattalexand Nice! So good to have this pop up in my feed.

Hope you're doing well Matt. I miss you!

@brhea I highly recommend @nbashaw's newsletter.

This article (behind the paywall) goes into the theory of value chains:
https://divinations.substack.com/p/the-value-chain-is-the-dna-of-business?r=1maux&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&utm_source=copy

@mattwensing @einarvollset Here’s part of that clip with Nathan I was telling you about:

@patrickbjohnson @nbashaw Yes, that's a big part of it.

But, in some markets what should be the "main thing" (the CMS) actually ends up being subverted by something else (hosting). People might not pay for the CMS (WordPress) but will pay for the hosting.

Here, @nbashaw and I explore this idea further:

"Your product has to be in the main flow of what people need." – Nathan

@KateBour <puts frozen burrito down and slowly backs away>

@iluisdaniel @TransistorFM Awesome! Thanks for using Transistor. 👍

RT @DrSimEvans: Very occasionally, this most hated of #dataviz tools (the humble pie chart) is actually a good way to tell the story of oil…

Yes. Upsells are huge, especially if you’re the one offering the main dish.

https://twitter.com/swizec/status/1219855724773163008?s=21 https://twitter.com/Swizec/status/1219855724773163008

@Swizec @rskopecek Yes. Upsells are huge, especially if you’re the one offering the main dish.

@mattwensing @einarvollset Listen guys, I’m not trying to write scripture here.

I’m just an idiot on the internet processing ideas out loud. 😉

@mattwensing’s got most of it though. 👌

I got into this in more detail in my chat with @nbashaw. I’ll post that segment tomorrow if I can find it.

@mjwhansen I’ve been waiting for an update!

@evangoldin but seriously, you look cute in a helmet

@VelocityWong Haha. “The rent is too damn high” would have been a great title as well. 😆

@mattwensing @einarvollset In your example, “trucking” is the main thing, and has remained the main thing for decades.

It’s the ancillary products/services in the category that come and go.

@einarvollset Yes! A big part of this has to do with the size and momentum of the market.

https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1219849495707471872?s=21 https://twitter.com/mijustin/status/1219849495707471872

@mattwensing @einarvollset “Main things” seem to stay longer.

Since the advent of the web, folks have needed web hosting (Carrd, Bluehost, Squarespace, Geocities) and that continues to be true (“the main thing”).

For a while, you had to have a LinkExchange banner, guestbook, and hit counter (ancillary).

In some product categories (email), the “main thing” is so big (Gmail), that you can build an ancillary add-on (Clearbit) and do well.

But in many categories, the market’s just not big enough to create that level of demand. Everyone orders the entree, but nobody orders dessert.

@einarvollset No, I think you’re misunderstanding me.

Every category has a “main thing,” as well as tangential “add-ons.”

The challenge with add-ons: not everyone wants them. For example: “commenting platform for podcasts.”

But, every podcast needs hosting (the main thing).

@flowdee He’s coming back soon!

@akebrattberg @ProductVoice Nice!

This is a good example: the HR dept doesn’t have room for dessert!

https://twitter.com/maxogles/status/1219814137527586816?s=21 https://twitter.com/maxogles/status/1219814137527586816

Every market has a “main product,” as well as things that are ancillary to that main thing.

Unless the main market is huge, it’s hard to make a business from the ancillary market.

@logicregressor 😄 yup.

The point is to focus on the “main dish” as opposed to the ancillary dishes.

Every market has a “main thing” and then things that are ancillary to that main thing.

Unless the main market is huge, it’s hard to make a business from the ancillary market.

@jackyalcine 😂

I suppose this metaphor breaks down eventually.

The point is to focus on the “main dish” as opposed to the ancillary dishes.

(Thinking out loud)

I suppose if you open a dessert spot, the dessert IS the entree. 😉

The point is to focus on the “main dish” as opposed to the ancillary dishes.

@spencerowland Lol. Good point.

Well...

If you open a dessert spot, the dessert IS the entree. 😉

Almost everyone orders the entree.
Some folks order appetizers.
A few will order dessert.

(If you’re building a product, I think it’s best to make the entree)

@ZackShapiro @nbashaw Yes! Here’s the article I was talking about: https://justinjackson.ca/rodney-mullen

@jitbit THIS IS MARKETING 😜

@joshuaanderton Yes. I've been thinking about that idea a lot lately.

@Steve_Campbell @statamic Nice! Here’s a good list of hosts:
https://github.com/statamic/hosts

@nbashaw Nathan's helping me think about strategy like this:

"What bets are we going to make, and how are we going to make them wisely?"

@Clew_less @iChris Lol.

“SURPRISE! You’re on a two-legged horse."

@nbashaw Divinations is the first "paid newsletter" I ever subscribed to.

It's excellent. If you have an early-stage startup, I highly recommend it.

Here's @nbashaw's intro post:
https://divinations.substack.com/p/introducing-divinations

I think something I struggle with is "business strategy."

Lately, @nbashaw (and his Divinations newsletter) have been invaluable to me.

He and I had an incredible chat yesterday.

You can listen to the podcast here:
https://saas.transistor.fm/episodes/whats-your-sustainable-competitive-advantage

@grodier @buildyoursaas AWWWW YEAAAH!

cc @iChris

Tuesday morning feels.

@yongfook I’m reading @BrendanHufford’s newsletter and it’s got me interested in doing Pinterest stuff again.

Does @bannerbear_com automatically generate AND post (with linkbacks?)

@ideasasylum Justin 2020: Stay in your bed!

@Shpigford Love this stuff.

@jamesrsowers The folks at @TEDTalks have a good breakdown here:
https://countdown.ted.com/get-informed

@ibogost Enjoyed this one.

Although, I feel like folks in my community are drifting back to cafes, pubs, and other public spaces outside the home.

@JFaid But the environmental cost savings are clear.

Plus: trains are just fun.

I think we need to be investing in more fun.

@seb_sebsn @michaeldyrynda It’s all a mirage.

@JFaid Back in 1996, @trnsprtst did this analysis for California. Not sure what’s changed since then! 😅

https://www.accessmagazine.org/fall-1996/the-full-cost-of-intercity-travel-a-comparison-of-air-highway-and-high-speed-rail/

My spirit animal is @marcrebillet

https://youtu.be/JBoDWL_bayc

@TheEricAnderson For me, it’s getting above the clouds whenever it’s sunny up on the mountain.

@BrendanHufford Optimizing for search is definitely a big opportunity:
https://twitter.com/transistorfm/status/1116706751250702336?s=21 https://twitter.com/TransistorFM/status/1116706751250702336

@mikaelcho @unsplash This is actually huge. Normally trying to find a high quality image of a celebrity means you have to pay Getty. 👍