CS 183 Edit, Lec 6 (Bolstering Distribution When You’re Editing a Startup)

By Larry Chiang

Selling something that exists was at the heart of the class #cs183s. Page 99 of Professor Blank’s book: “Most founders first attempt at sales is for their own startup.”

I think the first time you do or try anything shouldn’t be as a pro. You should practice as an amateur. You should practice on the bunny slopes. Too many founders jump right into helicopter skiing off ungroomed “backsides”

Practice and execution of sales was sorely lacking in the now-dead startup we are editing. So lecture 6 will have us sell. Not to beat a dead horse (pun intended), but the tech cofounders probably did not sell and get as much revenue. Not to flog the dolphin, but the founders may not have ever popped their revenue cherry

Sales = 0.
Death = likely

Get channels up and going as per
– #ENGR145
– #CS183eubm

Aka YC founders, get out there and get a “PO”. (Yes ‘purchase order’) It’s not just YC founders who don’t sell…

	Larry Chiang (@LarryChiang)
2/29/16, 4:37 AM Mgmnt slacks off in trying to get distribution after youve hit major distribution Home Runs– hoping your product sells itself #CS183e Lec 6

	Larry Chiang (@LarryChiang)
2/29/16, 4:34 AM CS 183e; Lec 6 Mimicking “constellation brands” PE firm when they bought Twinkies, Inc outta BK. Sold for 17x

	Larry Chiang (@LarryChiang)
1/6/16, 6:09 AM A sales table at the front lines = critical “In Real Life” (IRL) practice. Doing a tent, table, booth IRL is #cs183s; Lec 6, I believe.

	Larry Chiang (@LarryChiang)
1/7/16, 3:07 AM The booth de la sales. #cs183s Lec 6- Selling carrots in Vegas. Battling APATHY fourhourworkweek.com/2013/11/08/how…

	Larry Chiang (@LarryChiang)
9/23/15, 7:53 AM 650-681-9470 = Door de la Dash. Aka Palo Alto Delivery dot com. #cs183s cc #cs183b Lec 6