1.
using WordPress to test and
validate ideas
WordCamp Johannesburg 2018
ebrahim-khalil hassen
wpossible.com

2.
That was eight days ago

3.
Me in 2018
• each has at least one sale – or a firm commitment
• shortlist of too many ideas
• extreme project
• extended deadline from 24 to 31 October 2018

4.
Lets deal with entrepreneurship
• difficult in South Africa – very concentrated economy. FYI- I wrote a whole thesis
on this.
• hardship is glamourized.
• #grinding #hustle
• there is not always a successful outcome.
• use everything I say with caution.

5.
Lets deal with entrepreneurship
• difficult in South Africa – very concentrated economy. FYI- I wrote a whole thesis
on this.
• hardship is glamourized.
• #grinding #hustle
• there is not always a successful outcome.
• use everything I say with caution.
hat tip – IM Gurus tell me this yellow box with red border really, really works

6.
TIME
MONEY

me in 2014

7.
TIME
MONEY


me in 2014
START
FIN

8.
TIME
MONEY


me in 2014 – not a linear line
Check 20
themes
Buy really
expensive theme
Check plugins
Create uber
comparisons
spreadsheet
Add some
more money,
Buy plugins
No money, no
product, lots of
wasted time. FML
Not so bad
I was careful
not to spend
everything

9.
key learnings
• validation = sales.
• scary for a reluctant sales person
• separate the product building and marketing.
• solve your own problem.
• sort through your ideas.
• introduce real constraints.
• focus on ‘inputs’ – what you control.
• test many ideas. (maybe not all at once)
• be less lonely
• joined wip.chat
• work with others
• family and friends

10.
2003 2008 2018

11.
2003 2008 2018
M
A
K
E
Building
Startup

12.
Step 1
Filter Your Own Ideas

13.
Pain
Market
ProductPassion
Expertise
Competition
Recurring

14.
Customers
FunSkill 1
2 3
4

15.
Customers
FunSkill 1
2 3
4
Guide
4 = Sweet Spot
3= Marketers Delight
2 = Work at (insert large
company)/ exit
1 = Hobby
Guide
4 = Sweet Spot
3= Marketers Delight
2 = Work at (insert large
company)/ exit
1 = Hobby

16.
Step 2
Build Quickly

17.
Not only WordPress – Hosted
Platforms and Hacks Aplenty
Good alternative options
• Carrd and Airtable – very popular for applications
• Teachable, Podio, Thinkific – Courses
• Products – Shopify
• Blog – Ghost

18.
why WordPress?
• your platform not someone else.
• wide range of well supported solutions but maybe more
expensive.
• enables a range of user experiences .
• widest range of integrations – use what works.
• platform – blog, membership, adverts, courses, sales of
physical and digital products.
• build on your own.

19.
BOOTS framework – 7 Days
B
Because
Why?
Does it
solve a
problem?
O
“Originality”
Solutions
driven.
Product
Done.
O
Operations
Systems –
funnel
System -
finances
T
Traction
Sales =
Validation
Track
progress
S
Scale
Types of
scale
Decision

20.
Using WP Effectively
• managed WP hosting.
• use the default theme and
default plugin settings.
• do not reinvent the wheel.
• create a reusable stack of
plugins and themes.
• build a funnel.
• link with your operating
systems. (email marketing,
invoicing)
• use a local install
M P
Minimum Lovable Product

21.
using WP ineffectively
• fifty shades of green – limit CSS changes.
• wannabe font geek – use a clear legible font, system font is
fine.
• security ninja – let the hosting company handle this.
• nulled anything – you asking for trouble.
• not fit for purpose.
• forget tailored, forget customised.

22.
Step 3
Scale or Not
Still figuring this out

23.
Summary
Step 1: Use a simple framework to sort through your ideas
Step 2: Build Quickly to Make a Sale
Step 3: Scale or Not
Sort
Sale
Scale

24.
thank you
dankie
ngiyathokoza
enkosi
ke a leboga
ke a leboha
ngiyabonga
ndi a livhuha
ndza Khensa
shukran
https://wpossible.com/yet-another-wordpress-newsletter/
coupon code at launch for all products – #WCJHB