Developing for Success -or- Any Fool Can Do This

#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

Developing For Success#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

Developing For Success -or-#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

Developing For Success -or- Any Fool Can Do This#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS A brief, no-nonsense* look at how I took a leap of faith and launched my own WP-powered business. *May contain up to 2% nonsense.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am...#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0))#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0)) Developer (Started using WordPress in 2007 (v2.3))#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0)) Developer (Started using WordPress in 2007 (v2.3)) Photographer (Graduated with a Photography BA)#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0)) Developer (Started using WordPress in 2007 (v2.3)) Photographer (Graduated with a Photography BA) Missionary (Have worked with a number of ministries)#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0)) Developer (Started using WordPress in 2007 (v2.3)) Photographer (Graduated with a Photography BA) Missionary (Have worked with a number of ministries) Creator of StartBox (A WP Theme Framework)#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Who I Am... Designer (Started using Photoshop in 1998 (v4.0)) Developer (Started using WordPress in 2007 (v2.3)) Photographer (Graduated with a Photography BA) Missionary (Have worked with a number of ministries) Creator of StartBox (A WP Theme Framework) @rzen and @wpstartbox#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface: I’ve never taken a business class#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface: I’ve never taken a business class I’ve never taken a development class#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface: I’ve never taken a business class I’ve never taken a development class I’ve never taken a design class#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface: I’ve never taken a business class I’ve never taken a development class I’ve never taken a design class ...I’m speaking entirely from experience#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Quick Preface: I’ve never taken a business class I’ve never taken a development class I’ve never taken a design class ...I’m speaking entirely from experience (My limited, but comprehensive, experience.)#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m here to teach you: 1. How to Get Rich Quick 2. Become an over-night Success 3. Be the Best at Anything#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick: Pick something speciﬁc#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = Get Rich Quick*#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How to Get Rich Quick: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = Get Rich Quick* *Not shown: 10,000+ hours of lead time#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success: Pick something speciﬁc#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = Succeed Overnight*#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Become an Overnight Success: Pick something speciﬁc + Do it well + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = Succeed Overnight* *Not shown: 10,000+ hours of lead time#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything: Pick something speciﬁc#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything: Pick something speciﬁc + Learn All You Can#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything: Pick something speciﬁc + Learn All You Can + Keep Improving#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything: Pick something speciﬁc + Learn All You Can + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = You’re the best!*#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Be the Best at Anything: Pick something speciﬁc + Learn All You Can + Keep Improving ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ = You’re the best!* *Not shown: 10,000+ hours of lead time; Everyone better than you at everything else#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m really here to teach you:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m really here to teach you: 1. How & Why I built two businesses around WordPress#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m really here to teach you: 1. How & Why I built two businesses around WordPress 2. What challenges I’ve Faced#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m really here to teach you: 1. How & Why I built two businesses around WordPress 2. What challenges I’ve Faced 3. How To Build Products for Others#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’m really here to teach you: 1. How & Why I built two businesses around WordPress 2. What challenges I’ve Faced 3. How To Build Products for Others 4. How To Succeed in your own way#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Why I Created StartBox:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Why I Created StartBox: Passionate about building beautiful/ functional websites.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Why I Created StartBox: Passionate about building beautiful/ functional websites. Wanted to build more websites, better (and improve old sites).#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Why I Created StartBox: Passionate about building beautiful/ functional websites. Wanted to build more websites, better (and improve old sites). Tired of constantly starting over.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What StartBox Is:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What StartBox Is: Parent Theme Framework#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What StartBox Is: Parent Theme Framework All components are modular#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What StartBox Is: Parent Theme Framework All components are modular Currently have 6 Child Themes#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What StartBox Is: Parent Theme Framework All components are modular Currently have 6 Child Themes Just released for FREE!#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man...#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man... I’m not a business person...#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man... I’m not a business person... I’m not as good as ________...#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man... I’m not a business person... I’m not as good as ________... If you build it, they will (not) come#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man... I’m not a business person... I’m not as good as ________... If you build it, they will (not) come How much should I charge?#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Challenges I’ve Faced: Working for the Man... I’m not a business person... I’m not as good as ________... If you build it, they will (not) come How much should I charge? Developing for Others#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Working For The Man:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Working For The Man: You have to work for the man before you can be the man.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Working For The Man: You have to work for the man before you can be the man. Learn important business skills#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Working For The Man: You have to work for the man before you can be the man. Learn important business skills Accounting, Marketing, Client/ Customer Relations, R&D, etc.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “I’m Not A Business Person”#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “I’m Not A Business Person” If you have ever been in any sort of relationship, youre a business person. All you need to do is figure out who you want to connect with, find them, and start building a relationship.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “Someone Can Build This Better”#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “Someone Can Build This Better” You’re better than you think#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “Someone Can Build This Better” You’re better than you think Self-doubt prevented me from entering the theme market for 2 years, then I saw how poor other’s code was#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “Someone Can Build This Better” You’re better than you think Self-doubt prevented me from entering the theme market for 2 years, then I saw how poor other’s code was You don’t have to be the best, but you can’t be the worst.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “Someone Can Build This Better” You’re better than you think Self-doubt prevented me from entering the theme market for 2 years, then I saw how poor other’s code was You don’t have to be the best, but you can’t be the worst. Just try!#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “If you build it, they will (not) come”#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “If you build it, they will (not) come” People will not inherently know your product/service exists,or if it’s even valuable for them at all.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS “If you build it, they will (not) come” People will not inherently know your product/service exists,or if it’s even valuable for them at all. People actually have to want what you make.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS "At the end of the day, you have to build a service that people want to use or no amount of marketing or advertising will help. But if you are successful in building something people want — if you have traction and positive feedback — you will still need to make a serious effort to acquire users. Simply relying on the idea of "build it and they will come" wont ﬂy in the oversaturated world of startups we live in."#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS "At the end of the day, you have to build a service that people want to use or no amount of marketing or advertising will help. But if you are successful in building something people want — if you have traction and positive feedback — you will still need to make a serious effort to acquire users. Simply relying on the idea of "build it and they will come" wont ﬂy in the oversaturated world of startups we live in." – Spencer Fry, Carbonmade#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How much should I charge?#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How much should I charge? It’s different for everybody#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How much should I charge? It’s different for everybody Business 101: Rate = Cost/Time#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How much should I charge? It’s different for everybody Business 101: Rate = Cost/Time Compare with market average#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Developing for Others#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Developing for Others Customer Support is Key (avoid it at all costs!)#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Developing for Others Customer Support is Key (avoid it at all costs!) Read John O’Nolans customer service manifesto: http:// bit.ly/onolan-manifesto#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Developing for Others Customer Support is Key (avoid it at all costs!) Read John O’Nolans customer service manifesto: http:// bit.ly/onolan-manifesto Plan for Scale#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Developing for Others Customer Support is Key (avoid it at all costs!) Read John O’Nolans customer service manifesto: http:// bit.ly/onolan-manifesto Plan for Scale Focus on a niche you understand#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What is Success?#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How Do I Deﬁne Success?#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How Do I Deﬁne Success? Spend most time doing things I enjoy,#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How Do I Deﬁne Success? Spend most time doing things I enjoy, While generating more revenue than debt,#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS How Do I Deﬁne Success? Spend most time doing things I enjoy, While generating more revenue than debt, In positive and meaningful ways#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS The road, [Sean Parker] points out, has been rocky. “It hasn’t been some kind of fairy tale for me. All of my success has been born of failure. Your childhood dreams are always tales of glory; reality is a lot messier and more dramatic.” – http://vnty.fr/seon_parker#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’ve learned about success#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’ve learned about success Strikes unexpectedly, but not without effort#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’ve learned about success Strikes unexpectedly, but not without effort Mostly birthed out of necessity/failure#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS What I’ve learned about success Strikes unexpectedly, but not without effort Mostly birthed out of necessity/failure Rarely feels like success at the time#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Never quit trying.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success:#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something Always Document Your Steps#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something Always Document Your Steps Leverage Your Resources#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something Always Document Your Steps Leverage Your Resources Invest Back in the Community#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something Always Document Your Steps Leverage Your Resources Invest Back in the Community Be Genuine#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Practical Steps Towards Success: Do Your Research Do The Work Try Something Always Document Your Steps Leverage Your Resources Invest Back in the Community Be Genuine Never Quit.#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

DEVELOPING FOR SUCCESS Questions? Let’s Talk! Right here, right now (tomorrow, too)! Later, on twitter: @rzen or @wpstartbox Visit WPStartBox.com#WCChicago 7/30 - 7/31/11

Developing for Success -or- Any Fool Can Do This

by Brian Richards on Jul 31, 2011

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Developing for Success -or- Any Fool Can Do This — Presentation Transcript