MAKE Bootstrapper's Handbook

1. loc. 268

   A lot of companies start not from the problem but from the solution. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make. Technology needs to solve a problem. If you make a solution for a problem that doesn't exist, it might look sexy technologically, but it won't get users.

2. loc. 326

   Stop. Thinking. Big. Think small first! You'll be big at the end!

3. loc. 391

   "To me, ideas are worth nothing unless executed. They are just a multiplier. Execution is worth millions. To make a business, you need to multiply the two. The most brilliant idea, with no execution, is worth $20. The most brilliant idea takes great execution to be worth $20,000,000."

4. loc. 452

   Perfectionism is detrimental because 9 out of 10 times it doesn't make things better but just creates inaction. You'll have 50 meetings, 100 iterations of an idea or feature, just to get it right, when actually you should have just gotten it out of the door immediately and let people use it (and learned from them using it!). Perfectionism is necessary in smaller details of your service or startup, but not in the entire thing because then it will simply paralyze you with inaction and fear that what you do is not perfect. Nothing is perfect at the start. Things become perfect through lengthy iterations!

5. loc. 614

   SQLite specifically is great because it doesn't require you to install a lot, and when you make a database, it's just a file. It's very transportable. You can literally copy the database file from and to your server. There's misconceptions about SQLite that it'd be slow or not scalable enough. That's bullshit. In many cases, SQLite is now faster than the filesystem (!) itself.

6. loc. 904

   Many people have the wrong idea about the term minimum viable product (or MVP). You can't just throw something together and call it an MVP and put it up. It needs to actually work.

7. loc. 1109

   reddit.com/r/dataisbeautiful

8. loc. 1155

   The big advantage by launching organically is that you will see if your app doesn't work. If it doesn't get traction, there's a good chance it's simply not good enough. The idea might suck. The interface might be bad. Maybe the idea isn't original enough. You'd never be able to find that out by faking it!

9. loc. 1364

   If anything, growth should have been in your product from the start. The product has to be intrinsically viral nowadays. It needs to be something people really want or need. Like people staying up late using your app/site/product. People mentioning it to their friends for days. People need to be excited for it.

10. loc. 1423

    One way of storytelling is building in public. The last few years, one of the most effective strategies to get promotion has been to "build in public". It means to publicly blog, vlog or in any way communicate the entire story of building your product or startup from the start. You're completely transparent about how things are going, even if things don't go so well. It's about sharing the stuff you learn from trying to build a product.

11. loc. 1597

    Here's a test: how many entrepreneurs you know who became successful (and rich) and then made a second project that also became as successful. It's fairly rare. And it's because success changes people's life. They are no longer (financially) dependent on the success of a project. They already have had money and success. Often the "chip on their shoulder" of "I'm going to show the world I can do it" is gone. Also having money gives them TOO MANY resources. They'll overengineer a product and since they're now in a small minority of successful people, they're not the target customer anymore either.

12. loc. 1686

    Fast forward a few centuries and patronage is back. In our case it means that if we're a creator, illustration, musician, artist or just a maker, you ask the people that like and use your work for money. Directly. Usually your work stays free, but you simply ask for monthly donations. Many people struggle with this because it comes across as begging, but these days it's a bit more classy than that. People are less afraid now to say "I want to work on something cool but I have bills to pay, so help me!".

13. loc. 1824

    I'm sure there are lots of ways you can evolve this model. One fitness app did this by adding GPS and charging you if you didn't show up at the gym every week. So think of other ways how you can evolve this model. It simply means the user doesn't necessarily pay for a product or service but you use their money in a different more unique way.

14. loc. 1995

    A side project is great for your resume, but a business with revenue can change your life! If it works out, it means you can quit your job. You can hire people (or robots). Get an office (or work remotely from anwyhere). It means you might be able to build a movement out of your vision. And that can all start with a small little project. Everyone starts small. If you grow or not often depends if you can make money and feed yourself (and the company).

15. loc. 2262

    Those who lack power, either due to a negotiation's structure or a lack of available alternatives, are less inclined to make a first offer. Power and confidence result in better outcomes because they lead negotiators to make the first offer. In addition, the amount of the first offer affects the outcome, with more aggressive or extreme first offers leading to a better outcome for the person who made the offer. Initial offers better predict final settlement prices than subsequent concessionary behaviors do.

16. loc. 2418

    You worked your ass off for years to be here. Most people fail and don't even get to this point. You did it. Be proud. And importantly: celebrate. And I mean that. This is a major life event for you, and the ritual of celebration is beneficial to your mind to demarcate this point in your life. Just like a graduation ceremony or wedding does.

A portion of what I highlighted, up to 1,000 words per book.