truth
-1 karma · joined March 27, 2013
Sales > Investment
Chris
I agree it's about balance. I'm talking about ONE SPECIFIC time. That's going from $0 in revenue to $50k, without investment.
Chris
Agreed, all software companies are different. There is also a huge distinction between software-to-software sales (where the product design is more important) and software-to-outside-world sales. Most of our customers pay with CHECKS, yes, checks. They aren't software people so the design doesn't need to as good in the beginning.
Chris
I disagree. "Lean startup" (I've only skimmed, not read) is all about teaching coders to sell. Correct me if I'm wrong, no code should be written unless there is market demand.
The challenge is not selling ONCE you have a solid product, it's going from NOTHING to something.
Chris
My buddy just let me know that this post was picked up ~6 month late.
I'm looking forward to addressing everyone's comments.
The reason I'm qualified to talk about this is because I started a software company and have grown it to ~$400k in revenue and profitable in 18 months. Why? Largely, not listening to "startup" advice, and SELLING. It's key that this is a B2B company not selling to other software people (B2C and software-to-software sales are much different than B2B and software-to-outside-world sales)
Again, I'm my intent is not to insult the software industry, just say the most of the advice seems incomplete from my perspective.
Chris
Chris Williams here, I wrote the article :) The reason that I feel I can provide advice is because I started a software company that has been profitable every step of the way, and now have ~400k in revenue in year 1.
The fact that I did not come from the software industry was A HUGE advantage, because most of the advice given is horrible.
Chris