Launch Like a YC Startup: Continuous Iteration for Success
Learn the Y Combinator approach to launching your startup: focusing on continuous iteration, early customer feedback, and clear messaging to build a strong foundation for growth.
Program Modules
The Launch Mindset: Launch Early, Launch Often
Shift your thinking from a single, perfect launch to continuous iteration based on customer feedback.
Challenge Your Assumptions
Weekly 3xIdentify your strongest convictions about your product and how users will interact with it. Prepare to test these assumptions.
“Founders are really good at lying to themselves.”
Embrace the 'No One Cares' Scenario
Weekly 2xAccept that your first launch might not be successful and that's okay. View it as an opportunity to learn and iterate.
“If you're like most startups you'll launch something and no one will care.”
Focus on Delighting a Few Users
WeeklyPrioritize making a small group of users extremely happy over making a large group slightly satisfied.
“It's better to make a few people really happy than to make a lot of people semi-happy.”
Crafting Your One-Sentence Pitch
Develop a clear, concise, and compelling one-sentence description of your company that anyone can understand.
Lead with 'What,' Not 'Why'
Weekly 3xImmediately state what your company does, rather than starting with the problem you're solving.
“Start with the company name and what you do and there's no need to set up the problem just get to the point.”
Eliminate Jargon and Marketing Speak
Weekly 2xAvoid meaningless buzzwords and phrases. Use clear, direct language that conveys concrete information.
“Meaningless jargon is the number one issue I spend time trying to fight when helping startups.”
Practice Your Pitch
WeeklyRehearse your one-sentence pitch until it becomes natural and effortless.
“It takes some of our Founders at YC months to get comfortable doing this.”
Launch Types and Channels
Explore various launch strategies and channels to continuously test and refine your product and messaging.
Silent Launch: Create a Landing Page
WeeklyCreate a basic landing page with your company name, short description, contact information, and a call to action.
“At the very least you need a domain name your company name short description a way for users to contact you and a call to action.”
Friends and Family Launch
MonthlyShare your product with friends and family, observe their usage, and gather feedback.
“Share your product with friends and family watch them use the product and ask them for feedback.”
Launch to Strangers: The Doordash Approach
Weekly 2xTalk to potential customers, understand their pain points, and validate your solution. Aim to talk to at least 200 people.
“I'd recommend you get out there even if it makes you slightly uncomfortable and start talking to your potential customers as soon as possible.”
Online Community Launch: Hacker News
MonthlyLaunch on online communities such as Hacker News (Show HN) or relevant forums to get early feedback and users.
“There are countless examples of companies that have launched and gotten their first or first thousand customers through online communities.”
What You'll Accomplish
- Understand the importance of continuous iteration in product development.
- Craft a clear and concise one-sentence company description.
- Identify and utilize various launch channels to gather early user feedback.
- Develop a launch mindset that embraces experimentation and learning.
- Prioritize delighting a small core of users over broad, shallow satisfaction.
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