Four years ago Steve told me he was writing a small e-book on creative ways to buy a car. I saw him last week at a seminar and asked him about that book. He very excitedly told me he was still working on it but hoped to have it out this year. This Year??? How could it take 4 years to create a 40-page book on buying a car? I guess he’s still getting it “right.”
But that’s a trap I see many people fall into. They spend so much time getting their idea or product or service perfected that they lose the window of opportunity for making it a success.
My advice – if you have it 70% refined, go ahead and release it. My first version of 48 Days to the Work You Love had a hard stock paper cover. People bought it so we gave it a spiral binding and added a single cassette. Then we made it a 3-ring binder with two cassettes inside the front cover. Then my son did a nicer cover design and we changed from the cassettes to two CDs. We ran them 50 copies at a time at Kinko’s and sold over $2 million worth before I ever talked to a publisher about a real “book.”
In the popular book, The Lean Startup, author Eric Ries talked about having a “minimally viable product.” The core features are in place and the initial product allows us to continue to gather information from customers to make it better. Think about how Apple keeps introducing new iPhones. Why don’t they just wait until they get it perfect?
Dave Ramsey did a great interview with marketing guru Seth Godin on this very concept. Check out their take on getting started: Seth Godin Interview Seth says, “Get it out the door now!”
What excuse have you been using for waiting to show the world your idea?
Great post Dan. It amazes me how much we know and yet don’t take action on. I have a couple ideas for products that I’ve been slacking on, time to get to work!
Love this post. Such a great reminder to me at a pivotal time in my writing. I’m making the push to get Confessions of a Terrible Husband out the door, not this year. But to have the final draft done this month. I could list all the “reasons” here. But most of them are just excuses, fears, or self-doubts.
Thanks for this. I needed it.
And that might be the best picture you’ve posted on your blog. Worth 1,000 words and then some.
Thanks Nick. I need to do some better photography to show the evolution – but true to my point here, instead of waiting to get those better shots I just grabbed one with my iPhone and did this post. Let’s see that book come to life!
Such a great post, Dan. You’re the master at this.
FYI, I did a webinar last night. Went really well. It will be a product by the end of July if not sooner (smile).
Kent,
Awesome – you know my style – make it happen the then improve it along the way. You’ve done a great job of that with SIF.
Yes, Dan, this is a great post. I first heard this concept from Godin in his book, Linchpin. He talks about the idea of “shipping.” That helped me tremendously. What a great story behind your book – thanks for sharing.
Such a great reminder Dan. Last year I published 2 e-books and I am thinking it’s time for the next one. This post came at a great time.
Wow, this is such good advice for perfectionists like me. From now on I will shoot for the 70% that matters and get it out the door now. Thanks Dan!
Great article! Reminds me of the Ben Franklin quote:
“On the whole, though I never arrived at the perfection I had been so ambitious of obtaining, but fell far short of it, yet I was, by the endeavor, a better and happier man than I otherwise should have been if I had not attempted it.”
— Ben Franklin
Dan, many folks don’t realize that “good is good enough” in many instances. This is not to excuse poor quality, but too often writers believe it has to be some prize winning work to get out to their audience.
People are looking for you to step p on the platform and share your life.
Thank you for your constant leadership connected with great value.
Jerry – you are so right. The search for perfection can keep us from ever launching. I like to improve it as we go along. Thanks for your comments.