I am not good in marketing, growth hacks etc, like to improve my skills. Would you please suggest some great books for getting first few customers for a startup ?
Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
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Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#2- The Four Steps to the Epiphany
- The Lean Startup
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#3Arvid Kahl's Zero to Sold
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#4- The Four Steps to the Epiphany - The Lean Startup
Thanks for your suggestion. I have heard about them. but did not get chance to read. started reading the third chapter of The Four Steps to the Epiphany - visionary customer Discovery, Love it.
Thanks Saran
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#5You can also find books on audible to listen to that might save you time especially listening to them at a faster speed like 1.5x - Also check out some startup podcasts as well.
Another good book might be Blitzscaling by Reid Hoffman.
One thing to keep in mind is not to get distracted by all these items (they are good, but can be useful) but there are no shortcuts.
Most of the largest companies were built without a playbook but with determination and a north star.
Remember to also have fun! Hope this helps somewhat.
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#6Arvid Kahl's Zero to Sold
Thank you.
Yesterday I bought this book :)
Its totally waste of time to build and learn the hard way.
I am going to buy and read as many books as possible for next few months.
- Saran
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#7Arvid Kahl's Zero to Sold
Thank you. Yesterday I bought this book :) Its totally waste of time to build and learn the hard way. I am going to buy and read as many books as possible for next few months. - Saran
Hard disagree. Building, shipping, and learning from my mistakes is the only I was able to actually apply anything I learned from books. IMO the best method is to do both - start building now, and read books relevant to whatever part of the journey you're stuck on or need help with.
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#8Besides all the typical startup recommendation, I’ll advocate for something about talking to customers. Everything else is secondary.
- Mom Test
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#9I was in similar state a few of years back. Read these, and used them to a good extent.
Lean analytics. (must read) Product-Led growth. (must read) 22 Laws of marketing (must) One million followers
If you like scientific approach: Influence by Robert Cialdini Contagious (Jonah Berger)
This resource is also gold: https://brianbalfour.com/essays/customer-acquisition
I am also documenting my learnings in a book [1].
Re: Ask HN: Suggest good books on bootstrapping a startup
#10Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thank you. Yesterday I bought this book :) Its totally waste of time to build and learn the hard way. I am going to buy and read as many books as possible for next few months. - Saran
Hard disagree. Building, shipping, and learning from my mistakes is the only I was able to actually apply anything I learned from books. IMO the best method is to do both - start building now, and read books relevant to whatever part of the journey you're stuck on or need help with.
That's a good idea. what I've learnt was startup failures has lot in common, similarly success is not an anomaly, it should has its own pattern. Most mistakes are already someone else mistake, I believe that reading some books will help to avoid 80% of the mistakes. the acquired knowledge will store a mental model within me. otherwise I need a lot of luck.