The 7-Day Startup
- Thread starter Gavin Bell
- Start date
What do you been by launching a business from scratch....developing a a business and marketing strategy? developing your brand? your website? developing collateral? marketing your services to target audiences? getting your first clients on board? employing staff? obtaining offices?
What do you mean by 'launching'?
What is the advantage of launching a business from scratch within seven days?
What do you mean by 'launching'?
What is the advantage of launching a business from scratch within seven days?
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- Original Poster
- #3
The concept is:
Day
1. Think of an idea
2. Create an MVP
3. Think of a name
4. Build the website
5. Create marketing strategy
6. Set your targets
7. Launch
By 'launch' it just means being open for business and actively seeking out clients.
The whole point of it is around the idea that If you're going to fail, fail fast and move on.
Long story short, it was Dan Norris of WP Curve who wrote the book after spending months on a business only for it to fail. He then managed to launch his business WP Curve in 7 days and it's a huge success.
It got me into the mindset of just taking action. No procrastinating
Day
1. Think of an idea
2. Create an MVP
3. Think of a name
4. Build the website
5. Create marketing strategy
6. Set your targets
7. Launch
By 'launch' it just means being open for business and actively seeking out clients.
The whole point of it is around the idea that If you're going to fail, fail fast and move on.
Long story short, it was Dan Norris of WP Curve who wrote the book after spending months on a business only for it to fail. He then managed to launch his business WP Curve in 7 days and it's a huge success.
It got me into the mindset of just taking action. No procrastinating
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Is there something clever there that I have missed? I did all of these steps, bar one, in one day. Are you trying to advertise the concept? All sounds a bit daft to me. Far too simplistic.
Building a website can take one hour or one year. Its nonsense to say it takes one day. Simply taking photographs of products for a site can take weeks.
Building a website can take one hour or one year. Its nonsense to say it takes one day. Simply taking photographs of products for a site can take weeks.
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0
The concept is:
Day
1. Think of an idea
2. Create an MVP
3. Think of a name
4. Build the website
5. Create marketing strategy
6. Set your targets
7. Launch
By 'launch' it just means being open for business and actively seeking out clients.
The whole point of it is around the idea that If you're going to fail, fail fast and move on.
Long story short, it was Dan Norris of WP Curve who wrote the book after spending months on a business only for it to fail. He then managed to launch his business WP Curve in 7 days and it's a huge success.
It got me into the mindset of just taking action. No procrastinating
What did you do with the rest of the day? They could all be done in an hour.
Wait, you took a week?
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It's Simplistic in titles only, as to "set up" a business requires far more than what is stated.
I'm all for simplifying things, but to have 7 headers only in a business plan is not understanding what is fully required or how a business works.
It's purely a gimmick to get people thinking of starting a business . . . . . . Then reality sets in with all the requirements that need to be fulfilled.
I'm all for simplifying things, but to have 7 headers only in a business plan is not understanding what is fully required or how a business works.
It's purely a gimmick to get people thinking of starting a business . . . . . . Then reality sets in with all the requirements that need to be fulfilled.
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At least having a short term goal keeps you focused and on track.
In terms of steps 1 and 2 in lean startup world these would take longer and be iterative. You need to speak to people and get feedback on your idea. It could be that your first few ideas have no legs.
That said, wasn't Dan who also wrote that 'startup validation is bull****'? based on the fact that simply asking people if they like your idea, as opposed to them signing up and paying for it are worlds apart?
In terms of steps 1 and 2 in lean startup world these would take longer and be iterative. You need to speak to people and get feedback on your idea. It could be that your first few ideas have no legs.
That said, wasn't Dan who also wrote that 'startup validation is bull****'? based on the fact that simply asking people if they like your idea, as opposed to them signing up and paying for it are worlds apart?
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The problem most people have is confusing start up with success. It's easy to start up an online business, you can be up in a few hours and running adwords soon after. But that doesn't mean the business is going to succeed. Most will fail and statisitics show most will fail within a year. So maybe rushing into things isn't always a good idea. Taking a bit more time to properly research and plan could mean your new biz lasting more than a year.
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I didn't do any of that, I walked into my dining room sat down at my computer & just started! therefore I didn't need to find premises, I was self funding so didn't have to create a business plan to convince anyone to lend me money, I had no contracts to draw up, blah blah)
I guess I'm what you might call a lean startup....but I don't go in for the 7 days melarkey, that sounds too much like "7 Minute abs" .... http://tinyurl.com/oqfgyd2
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B
beasty
6 minutes abs is significantly more efficient
From having a concept to taking money is going to vary hugely depending on what you are trying to achieve, if it is a service you can literally throw up a single page website, ring people and invoice them, in theory from idea to first customer in only a few hours
Clearly you are posting as you are happy with your progress, so congrats on that
From having a concept to taking money is going to vary hugely depending on what you are trying to achieve, if it is a service you can literally throw up a single page website, ring people and invoice them, in theory from idea to first customer in only a few hours
Clearly you are posting as you are happy with your progress, so congrats on that
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I do like the fact that as much of a gimmick as it is, it gets people realising that you don't necessarily need weeks/months/years of careful planning to launch a business. And it might motivate some people who might not otherwise to give it a shot.
Saying that, if you're not the sort of person who could naturally have done the same without the belief in a 'gimmick' then perhaps you should spend more time planning things out. The 7 day startup way of working is natural to some people, but to those who it isn't natural to, it could lead them down a road which is bad for them.
I borrowed a book from an exchange at my old job, I can't recall the name, I can't recall the author (but I know he owned a successful hotel in the Midlands), I didn't even finish it. The premise of the book was basically just to get off your backside and "DO SOMETHING" and I got that message loud and clear after about 2 chapters and decided to start my business.
That was on a Friday night at about 2am - I came up with some basic marketing docs, a crude logo and a bad name on the laptop there and then. On Saturday morning I went door knocking and signed up my first clients. Within 6 months I was up £12k, first year £60k, ever since apx £100k per year profit.
The point was once I saw the idea had legs, I was motivated to go back and re-do everything (logo, name, marketing material etc.,) and I had a much better idea as to what clients would want because I actually some clients!
Saying that, if you're not the sort of person who could naturally have done the same without the belief in a 'gimmick' then perhaps you should spend more time planning things out. The 7 day startup way of working is natural to some people, but to those who it isn't natural to, it could lead them down a road which is bad for them.
I borrowed a book from an exchange at my old job, I can't recall the name, I can't recall the author (but I know he owned a successful hotel in the Midlands), I didn't even finish it. The premise of the book was basically just to get off your backside and "DO SOMETHING" and I got that message loud and clear after about 2 chapters and decided to start my business.
That was on a Friday night at about 2am - I came up with some basic marketing docs, a crude logo and a bad name on the laptop there and then. On Saturday morning I went door knocking and signed up my first clients. Within 6 months I was up £12k, first year £60k, ever since apx £100k per year profit.
The point was once I saw the idea had legs, I was motivated to go back and re-do everything (logo, name, marketing material etc.,) and I had a much better idea as to what clients would want because I actually some clients!
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I set up a property consultancy. I was already a lawyer specialising in property, and also qualified in surveying so I just decided to do use my already obtained skills for myself instead of someone else.
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It's a good book. True, not every business can be set up that quickly, but some can and it's a good way to test a business.
We launched a sub-brand to our agency in an afternoon that has gone on to be very successful.
I've also launched two other businesses that were set up in a day and got paying customers from day 1. On the other hand I've launched businesses that didn't work (at least I didn't spend that long on them though
We launched a sub-brand to our agency in an afternoon that has gone on to be very successful.
I've also launched two other businesses that were set up in a day and got paying customers from day 1. On the other hand I've launched businesses that didn't work (at least I didn't spend that long on them though
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It's a good book. True, not every business can be set up that quickly, but some can and it's a good way to test a business.
We launched a sub-brand to our agency in an afternoon that has gone on to be very successful.
I've also launched two other businesses that were set up in a day and got paying customers from day 1. On the other hand I've launched businesses that didn't work (at least I didn't spend that long on them though
I know I've asked people in the thread before, but care to elaborate on what you actually did/set up?
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@Richpoole what do you actually want to know? People have said what kind of business they setup.
Do you mean you want to know the actual steps?
Do you mean you want to know the actual steps?
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J
John Caines
Actual steps if that's what's required.
Day one am
Had know for a while a service area I wanted to get into but needed a USP. This USP came to me over breakfast, so -
Registered domains
Researched competitors pricing
Decided our pricing/service structure
Created simple website
Day one pm
Designed and printed fliers, displayed them at relevant (not fly posting!) sites
Day two
Acquired two paying clients
Business up and running.
To be fair I've been a sole trader for many years so didn't have to set up bank accounts, register with HMRC etc. Also didn't require funding so it was all easy. I also don't believe in business plans or cash flow forecasts, unless you are making a big financial investment or borrowing money. Experience has taught me neither are worth the paper they are written on. Also don't over think a business, keep it simple. And most importantly don't commit more finances than you can afford to lose. I found sticking to these simple rules allows you start a flexible business quickly and without the risk of financial ruin.
Oh, and the business above has just flown, to the extent it's now our only business and we are turning away new clients on a weekly bases. No we don't want to expand further!
Hope that helps to get the ball rolling for more examples.
Day one am
Had know for a while a service area I wanted to get into but needed a USP. This USP came to me over breakfast, so -
Registered domains
Researched competitors pricing
Decided our pricing/service structure
Created simple website
Day one pm
Designed and printed fliers, displayed them at relevant (not fly posting!) sites
Day two
Acquired two paying clients
Business up and running.
To be fair I've been a sole trader for many years so didn't have to set up bank accounts, register with HMRC etc. Also didn't require funding so it was all easy. I also don't believe in business plans or cash flow forecasts, unless you are making a big financial investment or borrowing money. Experience has taught me neither are worth the paper they are written on. Also don't over think a business, keep it simple. And most importantly don't commit more finances than you can afford to lose. I found sticking to these simple rules allows you start a flexible business quickly and without the risk of financial ruin.
Oh, and the business above has just flown, to the extent it's now our only business and we are turning away new clients on a weekly bases. No we don't want to expand further!
Hope that helps to get the ball rolling for more examples.
Last edited by a moderator:
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I've always done it with businesses where websites are at the heart of the business. It's a case of having an idea, buying a domain name, setting up a website - usually using a WP theme initially and having a minimal amount of content. Where things are being sold directly integrating a plugin like WooCommerce is an easy way to set up a store.
Marketing initially has usually been via AdWords to test the idea. If things have been successful I've then created websites from scratch, expanded the number of pages and expanded the marketing mix depending on what the business is.
Businesses include a niche marketing agency, WordPress website fixes and Cookies (the edible ones!)
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