The people behind Twitter were incredibly lucky. They weren't lucky because they had a great idea.
They weren't even lucky that no one else had thought of their idea before them.
They were lucky that the system took just two weeks to build.
My staff and I get together for regular brainstorming sessions. We toss out ideas left, right and center. By the time we walk out of that room, we've got a white board filled with great concepts any one of which could bring in a steady stream of bucks.
But we only get to implement one or two of them.
The problem isn't the lack of ideas. Ideas are unlimited because creativity is unlimited.
What's really limited is time.
You need time to build what you're planning to sell. You need time to persuade a market to look at it. And you need time to assess whether or not your gut was right and whether buyers are going to bite.
I've seen far too many people come to me with a sparkle in their eye and a great concept in their head... only never to hear from them again. They had an idea. But they failed to follow it through.
They didn't invest enough time in creating their product the right way. They didn't develop a marketing plan and put it into practice at the right moments and in front of the right people. They didn't give their idea time to grow into a business.
When you're looking to step out on your own, it's important to have a concept that you're passionate about. You will need both that idea and the passion if you're going to succeed. But you'll also need plenty of the practical stuff.
You'll need knowledge of how to create your product (or where to find someone who can create it for you).
You'll need a close enough understanding of your market to know what makes them tick and what will persuade them to buy.
And you'll need the determination to see the inevitable setbacks and hurdles as challenges to be overcome not reasons to throw in the towel.
All good businesses start with the seed of an idea. But they're grown with dedication and hard work.
It's Del.icio.us!
Furl It!
May 27, 2009 09:36 AM
I agree totally that people don't follow through. I am not sure if they get scared, don't want to spend the money, or just have no determination.
Whatever the reason be, if you never take a risk, you can't reap the rewards.
May 27, 2009 09:56 AM
Great comment Joel
thank you
Twicat.com
free classifieds
May 27, 2009 11:18 AM
You are absolutely right. We need idea, need someone to implement, need a marketing plan, need to ensure it grows to a business..... even after knowing, it takes great courage for someone to really make it happen.
Great post. Thanks.
May 27, 2009 04:51 PM
the luck do not exist, there are a big ideas
May 28, 2009 12:49 AM
I whole heartedly agree and love this current update. I accidentally stumbled across your site while researching arbonne. What a bunch of idiots.
Kudos to you for your awesome site
Lauren
May 28, 2009 09:07 PM
Spot on. We have 24 hours a day. It is impossible not to successfully push something to success given that we have already done pre-production plans etc.
As much as things are ,"easier said than done". I guess the lack of motivation kinda over-rated that line
May 29, 2009 03:13 PM
Great post, Joel. It is amazing how many great ideas get tossed aside. Ideas that turn into success stories usually do so because of the focus behind them-- failures because of a lack of focus. And, like you said, focus comes from knowledge, passion, determination, and having a plan.
May 29, 2009 11:50 PM
Joel great post thanks for all that you do. I agree with you in everything you say in this post and particularly like how you wrapped it up. "All good businesses start with the seed of an idea. But they're grown with dedication and hard work." Good stuff.
May 30, 2009 12:02 AM
really good post joel. I think sometimes when we just "keep it simple stupid" a good KISS brings a lot more.
May 30, 2009 12:47 AM
Just another reminder to work on that hot idea I had way back when! Great post Joel!
May 30, 2009 10:59 AM
Joel I made the area of the website entry to this comment a link to the article I am referencing. You are very much on point but there is a bigger picture to it than that.
Many people don't realize that they have 11+ resources that will make them wealthy: Time, Mental Health (for say Focus), relationships.
PArt of the key to success (as you know) is leveraging your resources and doing what matters most.
May 30, 2009 12:37 PM
No surprise at all this post of yours.
Of course you should have know already that time is money but money is not time. No time = zip, nada, zero.
Even worse: any other resource can be replaced, raised, developed, fixed, focused, whatever. Any resource except time, which is unique and really irrepeatable. Once gone, is gone. Once wasted, can't be recuperated ...
As you said:
Ideas ? Tones !
Time to put'em in practice ? ... lol
I'll happily donate a year from each of my enemies' life in exchange for a 25 hours/day day length .. ;-)
May 30, 2009 11:49 PM
Joel,
you hit it on the head, i have at least 30 ideas that could generate a lot of income, right now i am having information overload and there is definitely not enough time in the day to act on everything. I wish i didn't have to sleep or eat, i would get more done. I think having a team around you that not only shares the vision but can be strong in areas you are not is important as well. I need more people to delegate things to that i shouldn't be doing, i am guilty of hanging on to everything.
Anyways, love your books.. please write more! I appreciate your insights and willingness to share what you have learned. It encourages me to keep going despite daily setbacks or frustrations.
Take care,
Jamie Crager, President
Crager, Inc.
http://www.cragerinc.com
http://www.twitter.com/cragerinc
June 1, 2009 02:48 AM
Hi Joel,
Another brilliant post by you.
Just finished reading your famous ebook, AdsenseSecret 4.2, I'm very impressed with the content. This is the best adsense ebook I have ever read.
Thank you
June 6, 2009 06:37 AM
You have described my life history.
June 15, 2009 11:29 AM
I would say that the key is a well developed business plan, which would include marketing. Unfortunately, too many would be internet marketers read all the sales pitches, and expect that it's going to be as easy as punching in some information to the computer, sitting back, and making money "in your underwear, $50,000 a month!" That being said, they should not get discouraged, after spending a few thousand to find out that they need to put in some sweat equity and go through the learning curve in order to succeed in the end. Hopefully, some reading this post will do that :)