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How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

blog.ycombinator.com

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Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#71

Post by PacifyFish »

projectramo wrote: post #43
fermienrico wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think you're right - all generic advice, __by definition__ is not going to be specific and its utility is questionable. The problem doesn't just lie in the answer, but the question itself. When you ask a question such as "How can I do well in life?", that lends itself to generic bullshit advice. My problem with Sam Altman is that he keeps perpetuating these kinds of questions as if he is going to help people. I am…

Do you read any kinds of books on how to get better? I am addicted to them. As a kid I used to read books on judo, karate, the guitar, programming, and how to be a spy. I now read books on startups, investing, programming and writing. The actual improvement comes from the practice, but I still feel the books and advice play a critical role. They can do the following: 1. They pump me up to go and practice. 2. They act…

I agree.

Even if "generic advice" isn't worth anything else, the psychological benefits of keeping a subject at the front of your mind, being reminded something is possible, and building excitement are valuable.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#72

Post by jerrre »

Alex3917 wrote: post #70
sinatra wrote: post #18

- "Product so good that people wanna tell others about it" doesn't mean this is an excuse to hide in a corner and keep building the product. Product can't be "good" if it's not based on frequent and lots of conversations / interactions with users. - The point about "exponential growth in market" is very important if your startup wants to raise money from VCs and has similar goals. Otherwise, focusing on creating valu…

> Product can't be "good" if it's not based on frequent and lots of conversations / interactions with users. It also can't be good if you're not implementing the ideas being surfaced in those interactions, and implementing takes longer than talking with people. If you have a conversation with someone and end up building something they ask for that takes six weeks of full time work, then does it really make sense to d…

Don't change your product based on one conversation.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#73

Post by [deleted] »

ryeguy_24 wrote: post #56
rexreed wrote: post #27

I'll counter with some more basic and more broadly applicable advice. 1) Build a product people actually want and need and will pay money for 2) Promote yourself incessantly because others will be promoting themselves even more incessantly. 3) Spend your money wisely - focus on people, product, and marketing. Don't waste your money on office trappings and stuff that makes you feel good. Save your lunch money. 4) Igno…

To simplify further: 1. Be good at product management 2. Do marketing a lot 3. Be smart financially 4. Be smart financially 5. Do marketing a lot 6. Be good at product management 7. Be smart financially 8. Be good at product management

[deleted]

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#74

Post by vincentmarle »

debt wrote: post #53
rexreed wrote: post #27

I'll counter with some more basic and more broadly applicable advice. 1) Build a product people actually want and need and will pay money for 2) Promote yourself incessantly because others will be promoting themselves even more incessantly. 3) Spend your money wisely - focus on people, product, and marketing. Don't waste your money on office trappings and stuff that makes you feel good. Save your lunch money. 4) Igno…

"1) Build a product people actually want and need and will pay money for" This piece advice seems leftover from a bygone era as this is so fundamental that I wonder does it even bear saying? Again, if you're building something people don't want or aren't going to pay for, something is seriously fundamentally wrong and you should try to define what you're even trying to achieve; that is, you're not even trying to buil…

On the other hand, the battle-tested formula for startup domination is:

1) Get to , whatever it takes (bending the laws of unit economics or bending the law in general).

2) Monetize.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#75

Post by sabujp »

ryeguy_24 wrote: post #56
rexreed wrote: post #27

I'll counter with some more basic and more broadly applicable advice. 1) Build a product people actually want and need and will pay money for 2) Promote yourself incessantly because others will be promoting themselves even more incessantly. 3) Spend your money wisely - focus on people, product, and marketing. Don't waste your money on office trappings and stuff that makes you feel good. Save your lunch money. 4) Igno…

To simplify further: 1. Be good at product management 2. Do marketing a lot 3. Be smart financially 4. Be smart financially 5. Do marketing a lot 6. Be good at product management 7. Be smart financially 8. Be good at product management

don't forget product must pass toothbrush test, be simple enough for people to understand, and be the greatest thing since sliced gluten free bread

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#76

Post by tim333 »

fermienrico wrote: post #35
projectramo wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I sort of disagree in one important sense: all generic advice is pretty useless. How to succeed in sports? practice, focus, take care of your diet and health How to succeed in a large company? keep your boss happy, work hard, focus etc This is not Altman's fault. I don't think the videos can -- or are supposed to -- replace actual detailed daily advice on struggles which, presumably, you get if you join Ycombinator.…

I think you're right - all generic advice, __by definition__ is not going to be specific and its utility is questionable. The problem doesn't just lie in the answer, but the question itself. When you ask a question such as "How can I do well in life?", that lends itself to generic bullshit advice. My problem with Sam Altman is that he keeps perpetuating these kinds of questions as if he is going to help people. I am…

>It helps nobody

I think you may be just looking from your own point of view that you find things obvious but that doesn't mean general advice won't help others.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#77

Post by tim333 »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #17
id_rsa wrote: post #14

I like his idea of choosing a startup idea that is in an industry poised for growth and "riding the elevator."

If I thought I could pick an industry poised for growth I wouldn't be mucking about with index funds.

The trouble often isn't picking the industry but figuring how to make money out of it. Like AI and self driving cars are obviously poised for growth but Google/Alphabet and other large companies are likely to dominate. And a lot of that is already priced into the stocks.

I remember Altman saying an AI for X startup would be a good idea though. I guess Cruise Automation played things well.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#78

Post by tonyedgecombe »

tim333 wrote: post #77
tonyedgecombe wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If I thought I could pick an industry poised for growth I wouldn't be mucking about with index funds.

The trouble often isn't picking the industry but figuring how to make money out of it. Like AI and self driving cars are obviously poised for growth but Google/Alphabet and other large companies are likely to dominate. And a lot of that is already priced into the stocks. I remember Altman saying an AI for X startup would be a good idea though. I guess Cruise Automation played things well.

Actually neither of those things are obvious to me, AI seems over hyped and the head of Waymo has stated that ubiquitous self driving cars are 30 years away. Although perhaps I'm just getting a bit cynical in my old age.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#79

Post by tim333 »

tonyedgecombe wrote: post #78
tim333 wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The trouble often isn't picking the industry but figuring how to make money out of it. Like AI and self driving cars are obviously poised for growth but Google/Alphabet and other large companies are likely to dominate. And a lot of that is already priced into the stocks. I remember Altman saying an AI for X startup would be a good idea though. I guess Cruise Automation played things well.

Actually neither of those things are obvious to me, AI seems over hyped and the head of Waymo has stated that ubiquitous self driving cars are 30 years away. Although perhaps I'm just getting a bit cynical in my old age.

Any source on the 30 year thing? They already have test cars driving around with no one in the front seat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPfC9Yfsjd8&t=2m40s) and it seems there will be both intense competition to grab market share and also a push from regulators to reduce the present 1.25 million road deaths per year.

Re: How to Succeed with a Startup [video]

#80

Post by tonyedgecombe »

tim333 wrote: post #79
tonyedgecombe wrote: post #78

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually neither of those things are obvious to me, AI seems over hyped and the head of Waymo has stated that ubiquitous self driving cars are 30 years away. Although perhaps I'm just getting a bit cynical in my old age.

Any source on the 30 year thing? They already have test cars driving around with no one in the front seat ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPfC9Yfsjd8&t=2m40s ) and it seems there will be both intense competition to grab market share and also a push from regulators to reduce the present 1.25 million road deaths per year.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/cars-that-think/transportation/sel...
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