Dear “Thought Leader”….please FINISH!

So I’m browsing away at some of the projects that I’m keeping an eye on today and as I browse through them (I bookmark them and go look every so often) I keep seeing “stalled” projects…you know, ideas that sound so freaking cool and the “founders” are convinced is the “next big thing”….and they’re stalled.  Oh don’t get me wrong, the “simple and beautiful” design work is done, the business models are written…spreadsheets of life changing sales projections are completed, but the project AT ITS CORE has stalled.  No sales, no “weekly” updates, no “new and exciting” product launches…the update emails that I’m waiting for come for about 2 weeks and then…….crickets.

Seriously people….FINISH YOUR F***ING projects.  And by “finish” I mean follow the damn thing through to it’s success or failure (p.s. most things when followed through will be successful).

So here are the steps:

1. Create a kick ass business model

2. Strip all of the cutesy b.s. out of it

3. Find the fastest way to REVENUE (hint: this does not include writing quirky email auto responder copy)

4. Ignore ANY consultant who says that right now you should be “building awareness and brand recognition”.  Trust me, if your product kicks ass and does what it’s supposed to and you SELL IT, your brand recognition and awareness will be very strong.

5. Rinse, Repeat

Once you’re selling some product and have proof of sales, THEN you can create some quirky web copy that makes you feel hipper than you actually are…

until then….you’re not a thought leader….you’re a wannabe.