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A lot of bootstrappers are trying to avoid fitting into an existing category (because they don't want to be compared to competitors).
That's actually what you want: a slow-moving incumbent, who's already cleared the trail for you.
That's actually what you want: a slow-moving incumbent, who's already cleared the trail for you.
“Most successful companies are not category creators.” - @aprildunford
Many successful bootstrapped startups saw the gaps in existing categories and made something better:
- @usefathom (Google Analytics)
- @Geocodio (Google Maps)
- @tailwindcss (Bootstrap)
- @convertkit (MailChimp)
- @laravelphp (CakePHP)
- Basecamp (MS Project)
- @tuple (Slack)
- @usefathom (Google Analytics)
- @Geocodio (Google Maps)
- @tailwindcss (Bootstrap)
- @convertkit (MailChimp)
- @laravelphp (CakePHP)
- Basecamp (MS Project)
- @tuple (Slack)
It’s not enough to choose just *any* category indiscriminately.
You want to choose a category:
a) that shows potential (growing market)
b) where you’ve identified gaps/opportunities.
c) where YOU (as a founder) have some strengths/advantages.
You want to choose a category:
a) that shows potential (growing market)
b) where you’ve identified gaps/opportunities.
c) where YOU (as a founder) have some strengths/advantages.
If you show up at the basketball court, and LeBron is standing there, that’s probably not a good matchup.
But, if you show up at the court and there are no competitors... you can’t play.
You’re looking for:
a) the chance to play the game
b) a matchup where you can compete
But, if you show up at the court and there are no competitors... you can’t play.
You’re looking for:
a) the chance to play the game
b) a matchup where you can compete
A good deep-dive for all this is @grigoriy_kogan’s excellent piece:
https://www.gkogan.co/blog/category-creation/
https://www.gkogan.co/blog/category-creation/
