Rob Walling of SoftwareByRob has just published a "MicroPreneur manifesto". In it, he presents some principles for building microbusinesses online - not the kind of business that will sell to Google for $10m or even $1b, the kind that will make a steady income for its owners, and grow slowly and organically, and enable its owners to eventually have a relaxed, pleasant lifestyle with enough time to focus on other things that they also enjoy.
It's a good overview of an online business philosophy, which is different from the typical Silicon Valley approach, but certainly works for some people (and, possibly, it works for more people than the so-called "startup lottery").
I'll list the headings here, but please do have a read to get the full text.
The headings:
- It's much harder than it looks.
- There is power in working alone.
- Focus on your strengths.
- Freelancing is dangerous.
- Seek leverage.
- Stay away from moonshot ideas.
- Product last. Market first.
- Charge for your product.
- Passion isn't all it's cracked up to be.
- The pressure of freedom.
- Become a black belt internet marketer.
- Think human automation.
- The more you do in public, the faster things will move.
- Failure is an option.
- Live like a pauper, treat your business like a king.
- Reject growth.
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