YC
The Best Way To Launch Your Startup | Startup School
@ Y Combinator
02/10/23
Takeaways
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Most founders overthink their first launch, believing they have only one chance to get it right, but launching is a continual process.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
If you take too long to launch your product, your startup may be dead before you get another chance to do so.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
It's important to launch your product as soon as possible, even in its unpolished state, to determine if you're solving a significant problem that people are willing to pay for.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
If your initial launch doesn't attract attention, it's not a reason to give up; instead, iterate and launch again until you find a core group of users who love your product.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Having a clear vision is essential for creating a strong one-sentence pitch that succinctly explains what your company does.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Word of mouth growth is the cheapest way to grow your startup, and it's crucial to communicate your idea clearly so that anyone can talk about it easily.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Start your pitch with what your company does rather than why it exists, as this provides immediate context to your audience.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Avoid using meaningless marketing jargon in your pitch; instead, provide a straightforward description of what your company does.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
When using the 'X for Y' construction in your pitch, ensure that 'X' is a household name, 'Y' is a large market, and it's clear why 'Y' would want 'X'.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
You should describe the problem you're solving rather than relying on vague comparisons like 'X for Y'.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
A good one-liner pitch is descriptive, conversational, and avoids jargon, clearly stating what you do and who you serve.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Launching continuously, even before having a fully functioning product, allows you to practice, refine your idea, and test your messaging with real users.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
The silent launch is essential; at the very least, have a domain name, a short description, and a call to action for users to contact you.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Testing your pitch with friends and family is crucial, but don't stay in this phase too long, as their feedback may not represent your ideal users.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Launching to strangers can provide valuable feedback; for example, DoorDash founders learned about delivery issues by talking to small business owners.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Engaging with online communities is a great way to launch; for instance, Y Combinator founders can launch on Bookface to get early feedback.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Robinhood successfully launched on Hacker News with a simple message about commission-free trading, gaining thousands of signups quickly.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Building your own community during startup school is vital; start an email list to engage supporters and keep them informed about your progress.
KM
Kat Mañalac
02/10/23
@ Y Combinator
Think of launching as an ongoing process; if your initial launch doesn't attract attention, keep iterating and relaunching like Airbnb did.