Bootstrappers, this is the golden age of the internet frankenstartup

February 29, 2012

Today I was struck again by what an amazing time it is to build an internet startup. I was on a phone call with a startup in the early stages. They've got an awesome idea, a smart team, good connections, validated market research, a bunch of groundwork laid, and now they're ready to turn the idea into an internet business.

Like many of us, they're bootstrapping it. They need an MVP. Five years ago, they'd be toast. Three years ago they'd be out of luck. Two or even one year ago it would have been really tricky to put it all together. Today? They've got amazing options. 

Here's the basic sitemap I helped them put together:

Frankenstartup

They can cobble together various products and pieces which are very low cost, highly functional, and build something extraordinary. 

This isn't a panacea, of course. Pulling it off well is going to take some care and work, but they can do in a couple of months what would have previously been virtually impossible for a bootstrapper.

And this option is available to all of us. With these resources we can focus less on the technology, and more on the business. Which means a potential for higher output, higher quality, and greater functionality for a fraction of the ramp-up time and cost. Mix in some creativity and smarts, and things are starting to get really awesome.

We're in a golden age of internet startup possibilities. 

I'll leave you with this nugget from Seth Godin:

Make something happen

If I had to pick one piece of marketing advice to give you, that would be it.

Now.

Make something happen today, before you go home, before the end of the week. Launch that idea, post that post, run that ad, call that customer. Go the edge, that edge you've been holding back from... and do it today. Without waiting for the committee or your boss or the market. Just go.

 

Resources from sitemap:

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