Aytemir.com

10 ways to screw-up a start-up

There are a lot op tips how to start a successful (Web 2.0) start-up. Me and some guys tried to ‘start-up a start-up’. And we were aware of these tips, but haven’t paid enough attention…I guess. Having nothing else left of these different start-ups and projects but bitter experiences I’m giving you some tips how to ‘screw-up a start-up’.

Note that these may not apply to you if you do have all the time and energy of the world to spend, which I did not have.

Choosing a subject you like instead of choosing a subject you love

This is a cliché but I’ve found out it hard way that selecting a subject/service for your start-up because you think will generate traffic or is easy to monetize will backfire very fast.
In most cases success won’t come fast and easy. Sticking with your passion will make the absence of fame and fortune less painful.

Not asking permission from your wife/girlfriend/kids/cat/dog/goldfish

At the end you’ll be spending more time and energy than you meant to. And unless your partner is sharing your passion and is actively supporting you, you’ll end up ‘wasting’ their time. They clearly don’t share your passion or see your vision. Can you blame them?

Inviting you’re friend to join you

Working with others always means you have to deal with compromises. Nothing wrong with that, but this may mean that your focus will be blurred and the fire in you…will just become a spark.
It’s hard between friends to actually form a sort of organization and hierarchy. Just make sure you all share the same vision!

Not being prepared for disappointments and turnoffs

If you’re lucky you’ll find out very soon that your initial setup actually sucks and everything is harder to do than thought. And the progress is being made very slowly.
Remember that you’re doing this for ‘fun’ and it is a long road ahead. With a lot of bumps on the way to the horizon. Be prepared for dissapointments, so you won’t be dissapointed.

Dropping you’re initial genius idea, because you find out it exists

We actually had a great idea for a new project, but found out in an early stage that it already existed (popurls!) and decided to do something else! I do regret it now. There’s always al room for one more. A niche one. Or a localized one.

So the focus was lost. The passion and vision blurred. And the flame became a spark.

Focussing on design, bling-bling and extra features

For a designer a great logo, design, font is like ‘bling-bling’ for a rapper. I had already started on the logo, the layout, the fonts en design in general before the core was actually build!

A big mistake I’ve learned a lot from and a prove of this is this blog: I’m not using a custom theme at all, I’ve got a simple logo and I am focusing on the content. The ‘bling-bling’ will come when come in time.

Daydreaming about monetizing your stuff

Daydreaming is of course what keeps us going. But you have to be realistic. Build your core business first. Get exposure, traffic and loyal visitors. Money will follow…hopefully.

Note that this blog doesn’t even have any AdSense or any other means of monetizing… yet!

Thinking clichés advices for good practices are just open doors

True. My tips above, like many other tips, are cliché indeed. They’re open doors you could figure out for yourself and you may have heard them al before. I had actually heard most of my tips myself before.
Yet, I did make all of these mistakes and in the flow of a project and with growing enthusiasm it is easy to forget your do’s and dont’s. Just like in real life I guess.

Bummer. That’s 8 ways. Anyone 2 other tips?