Your startup has launched and it's 8 months into release. The startup is fast and furious, now has a billion-dollar valuation, and is set to go to your series B round of funding.
In a perfect world.
This is how everyone envisions their ideas taking off.
Like a rocket.
In reality.
You launch, promote, and barely a cricket chirp.
Why?
Humans have to interact with your product, creation, or service.
Humans are habits of creatures.
Here's why things don't take off fast.
Ideas take time to infect humans and become apart of our habits.
It's not always the best product that wins in the marketplace, most times it's the company that has the longest staying power.
There once was this app called Umano, that would read those lengthy think pieces to you.
Those long articles from the New York Times, and the New Yorker.
I'm talking about those long articles you save, and say to yourself "Oh, yeah I'll read that later."
Who the hell has time to read a 45+ page article? (I'm exaggerating of course)
So how did Umano solve your problem?
The app would read long-form articles by a professional narrator.
Not some bot.
But a voice actor.
Umano was a true game-changer.
Not only for readers but voice performers too.
The idea caught on and was used by a select few who saw the true value of this app.
I used it daily.
Well, Umano was acquired by Dropbox, and immediately shut down.
Grand opening.
Grand closing.
The reason that was given? - Lack of users.
Just because you have launched an idea, doesn't mean it will be effective immediately.
The way to get started on your idea is to create and launch it. You can't think your way to a billion-dollar start-up.
No matter how much you think your idea will change the world. Sometimes the one thing your idea needs is a little time to catch on.
Take the series Family Guy for example. When it first aired in 1999 it aired for 2 seasons before subsequently being cancelled.
It was picked up by Adult Swim and put into re-runs where it connected with its true audience.
Young adults.
The show's re-runs rating grew into a behemoth.
Started getting larger ratings than the late night hosts Jugg-head (Leno), and Gap-tooth (Letterman) at the time.
The cancelled show's DVD sales broke records.
A new audience found their new favorite show.
What happened here?
And how can you apply it to your business or idea?
It took time.
Tip #1: Keep Refining Don't stop because the idea hasn't caught on the way you thought it would. Never doubt yourself at this phase.
To understand your concept, you must continue to block out the noise. Keep refining the clay of your mold.
Tip #2: Keep promoting After launching a product the real work begins. The promotional strategy.
Maybe your present audience doesn't see the value of your idea. Try to promote the same idea to another niche. It might catch on with another group.
Traction is traction.
Tip #3: Don't give up. Most importantly you only truly lose If you give up, and throw in the towel.
Don't fall into the trap of believing that if your idea doesn't take off in 6 months that it's a bad idea, or is not ready for the marketing place.
It just needs time. promotions, and most importantly staying powering.
Remember the show Family Guy has been cancelled twice during its legendary run.
It also is one of the longest-running series in the history of TV.
Give yourself time.