Since I started OnMyList in January, I’ve received tons of help and great advice from other entrepreneurs. Many of these fine people were complete strangers before I contacted them. Most were incredibly generous with the information they shared. Since our site went up in June, I’ve been on the receiving end of many such queries. It’s one of the fantastic things about the Bay Area. The environment here is uber-conducive to creating success. A certain air of that good old-fashioned community spirit is pervasive all around us.
By far the most common question I’ve received so far is, “How do I get started?”. I am by no means an expert, but I can share with you my experience and the kernels of knowledge I’ve been able to accumulate. These are my thoughts on how to proceed at the very beginning, when your idea is but a wee glimmer in your eye:
Draw pictures. Perhaps the most helpful thing I do when starting a new project is to draw pictures and diagrams of the idea. There are many computer programs you can use but I generally get out the old pen and paper. This helps for two reasons. First, it forces you to think about your idea in more concrete ways. Ideas are great but you’ve got to move from a general idea to specific one. Secondly, a visual representation will help communicate your idea to others more efficiently. Check out some of the early drawings of OnMyList. Aren’t they awful?
Talk. Unless you have a patentable cure for cancer or the “mister fusion” thingy from Back to the Future, talk about your ideas with whoever will listen. Don’t worry about someone stealing your idea. If it’s that easy to copy then you’ll be swimming upstream anyway. Secondly, everyone with the capacity steal your idea probably has ideas of their own. Talking about your idea will beget all kinds of new ideas you never thought about. It will also give you a sense of market acceptance.
Don’t worry…about all of the things that will be an issue someday. Put one foot in front of the other, do first things first. You don’t need to know the ins and outs of VC financing right at this moment. I am not saying that there aren’t a million things to worry about. What I’m saying is that you can’t possibly be on top of everything at this point so don’t let them overwhelm you. You need to formulate your idea and set a plan first. Then you move on to the next thing. And then the next. And then you’ll find yourself with a little momentum…or not. Maybe you decide your idea isn’t very good after all. That’s fine. All you are out is some paper and hot air at this point. Think up something else.
Read. Suck up as much knowledge as possible. I highly recommend Art of the Start by Guy Kawasaki. I’ve read it twice and i keep going back for bits and pieces. I also think that Marc Andreessen’s blog is essential reading. He is cranking out great post after great post these days. What I wouldn’t give to have him spend a day working on my business with me. Marc? Marc? Are you listening?
Noah Dorrance is an entrepreneur and the CEO of OnMyList.com
July 24th, 2007 at 6:04 pm
Nice tips Noah, and I definitely agree with your point about reading. Another great book is Purple Cow and All Marketers Are Liars, both by Seth Godin - well worth the read
July 30th, 2007 at 5:01 pm
Hi Noah, I took a look at OnMyList; it looks interesting. It seems like another one of those deceptively simple ideas like Twitter that you start thinking of new ways to use as you go along.
Drawing pictures is something I need to do more of. It isn’t something that comes naturally to me, but was suggested as a good way to get your ideas across to others (as well as conceptualize them yourself).
Maybe I ought to get The Art of the Start. I’ve got some of his other books but not that one. I’d agree that Marc Andreessen’s blog is quite helpful, too.
August 31st, 2007 at 2:59 pm
Good food for thoughts there.
I’d like to comment on the picture drawing. Without objecting to your basic point, I’d say that the medium is secondary. Drawing a picture, nailing out an elevator speech, writing a one-liner. It’s all a matter of what best helps you to chisel out your idea in a crisp, easy to explain and easy to understand message. If the message is verbal or graphic is less important. Back to an old business saying. If you can’t say it on one page, it won’t work. (btw I am also inclined to drawings and illustrations, but they don’t look that great)
I usually drill down to the core question: “What about your idea will make enough people want to pay for it or use it in such a way that it can make enough money for you?” If you can’t answer that convincingly - start looking for another idea.
Regarding talking about your idea, there is one more point to consider - at least if you are not in the early years of your working life. The people presently paying your salary might not appreciate it if you don’t focus on the stuff that earns them the money to pay you with.