The Four-Step Pre-Launch Plan
Michael Seibel's pre-launch playbook hasn't changed in a decade. Launch quickly. Get any customers. Talk to them. Iterate.
If you walk away with one thing, it's this: launch something bad, quickly.
Launch something bad, quickly. That's the one thing.
Most Founders Never Get a Single User
Seibel: You'd be surprised at how many founders' journeys end before a single user has actually interacted with the product they've created. It's very common. Please get past this step — it's extremely important.
You'd be surprised how many founders' journeys end before a single user has interacted with their product.
Your 'Full Thing' Is Probably Wrong
Founders have the full vision in their heads. Three years. $10 million. A whole team. They think feedback on the little thing is useless.
Seibel: The full thing is this really awesome idea in your head. Keep it in your head but keep it very flexible — because the full thing you want to build might not be what your customers want at all. Hold the problem tightly. Hold the customer tightly. Hold the solution loosely.
Hold the problem tightly. Hold the customer tightly. Hold the solution loosely.
The Screwdriver Rule
Seibel uses a screwdriver analogy. If your screwdriver doesn't screw things in, don't find new uses for it. Don't use it to cook. Don't use it to clean. Fix the screwdriver.
Seibel: Keep the mechanic. Keep the problem — I need to screw something in. Fix the screwdriver. That's the thing that's broken. Iterate — continue improving your solution until it actually solves the problem.
Keep the problem. Keep the customer. Fix the screwdriver.