Dear wannabe entrepreneurs: Your ideas are really dumb and meaningless but here's how to turn them in to a business. entrepreneur how earn by blogging blog

You want to start a business and you think you have an idea, you just don’t know how to turn it in to a business. But here’s the thing about your idea, it’s dumb, really dumb. On top of that you don't have any experience, you don't have money and you don't have a clue!

Here's the thing about ideas... everyone has them and most of them are really dumb. Ideas mean NOTHING. So please stop saying "I have an idea" because in business that translates in to "I’m all talk and no action".

For the rest of you, if you insist in following through with your big dumb idea, here’s a step by step guide to turning in to a business:  

Step 1 -Write down your dumb ideas

A big ball that can suck up oil. ketchup an mustard in bottle... both really dumb ideas... who cares, write them down. The second you have an idea, WRITE IT DOWN. I put all my really dumb ideas in a google spreadsheet.

 

Step 2- Let it simmer

Don't jump on your dumb idea, why? because it's really dumb! Instead, let it percolate. Forget about it. Don't think about it. Just build your dumb ideas list.

Step 3- Pick the least dumb idea

When you review your list after a few weeks, months, years (the longer the better) you'll realize how dumb your idea was. But maybe, just maybe, one or two of your ideas will seem less dumb. I say “seem” because at this stage you’re probably still delusional and think you can start a business.

My list has over 150 dumb ideas. All of them seemed great at the time, 3 months later I was embarrassed I even wrote them down.

When the time is right (when you’ve eliminated 90% of your list), pick the least dumb idea to consider working on.

 

Step 4- Ask WHY not how

Forget about how. Just ask, why. Why would someone want this?

If you can't answer this question, your idea is dumb and it'll never see the light of day.

If you can provide a simple answer to this question, proceed to the next step. The answer doesn’t need to be complicated, so don’t go crazy over this.

 

Step 5- Now ask HOW

Ok, so despite my advice, you still think your dumb idea has potential. Now comes the hard part....How. **Please remember this: Ideas mean nothing. The ONLY thing that matters is do anything with them

Forget about all the cool things your product/app/service will do. No one cares. If you're more excited about making business cards or creating a logo than working on your idea, you're not cut out for business. You’re a dreamer, not a do-er. The only thing you should worry about at this point is HOW THE HELL WILL I DO THIS?

If you can't come up with a plan and execute it, guess what, your idea was dumb. And you're dumb for thinking you can "just do it". Admit failure and go back to your day job.

Seriously, this is the hard part. You need to know, I mean REALLY know how to take your idea from spreadsheet to production.

Tip: Don’t get caught up in details. Focus on the big picture. Here’s what my burn down list looks like:  

1. Hire someone to create sketches

2. Find someone to build prototype

3. Hire someone to build a simple website

4. Get pictures

5. Start building audience through social

6. Launch pre-sale

7. Kickstarter

Fill in the details as I go along.  

Step 6 Build your MVP.

Here's the #1 mistake people make: They try to create the perfect product before launching. Before long, they quit when they realize it's harder than they thought. DO NOT fall for this trap. You will fail!

Your goal has to be to create an MVP or Minimum Viable Product. What does that mean?

If your idea is to build a car, then you don’t build the model with all the bells and whistles. Start with the base model. No A/C, no leather seats, no push button, no 22’’ rims. You’re building a baseline Honda civic, not a Tesla.

A minimum viable product is the bare minimum version of your product. It's "good enough". That's not to say it can suck. Your MVP has to be acceptable, but not perfect. It's the 1st iteration of your product, not the final.

So ask yourself, how do I make my MVP?

 

Step 7: Validate your dumb idea

You think your idea is great, let’s see what your customers think. In business, your opinion is the least important. The only opinion that matters is that of your customers and investors. So now it’s time to put up or shut up. Here’s how do it:

  Step 7.1 Build an MVP website/landing page

Your landing page needs to look awesome have 2 main elements:

(1) Pre-Order (2) Sign up for newsletter

If people are willing to pay for your product before it’s even in product or they provide you with an email address because they’re interested…guess what? Your idea isn’t so dumb!

If you can’t get a pre-sale, then the next best thing is to capture an email address which suggests the person thinks your idea isn’t so dumb.

 

Step 7.2. Pay for traffic through Facebook

Unless your a PR wiz, no one will find your landing page on their own and since your idea is still kinda dumb, no one will care. The only way to get traffic to your landing page is by paying for it. Fortunately, Facebook ads are just thing for testing dumb ideas.

But before you blow your kids college fund, know that FB ads are complicated and there’s a method to doing it right. I’m not going to explain that here, but if you want to learn more either check out Amy Porterfield’s marketing made easy podcast (free) or message me and we can talk about launching your idea.

 

Step 8. - Scale

If you manage to get a few pre-sales or at least a fee dozen email addresses, it’s time to scale up. That doesn’t mean you can quit your job - yet. All you’ve done is scratch the surface. The next step is to place a small order with your supplier or increase production. Do this process a few times before claiming your dumb idea is a success.

    Parting words the next time someone tells you that your idea is dumb, take it as a compliment!

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