Today we will summarize briefly and also answer the question: “How to be original?” when we are copying something.

The main secret of originality, as referred to by Paul Graham, is that people consider someone smart and outstanding not because they are the smartest or the best but because they did something first and did something new.

Often, a musician who invents a new style, like rap or jazz, is not the best musician, but they are considered outstanding because they were the first. The main takeaway is that it’s better to be the first than to be the best. Chkalov’s quote is appropriate here: “If you want to be, be the first.” Chkalov wasn’t the best pilot, but at that time, he achieved unique milestones. That’s why we remember him.

You need to be the first and do something new, without necessarily doing it better than others. Being first and doing something new are the two key words. If we find a project first and copy it to your local market, we automatically become original and smart. We do it first and do something new.

We create a new product category. For example, there was no such category as group buying until someone came up with the concept. Or they came up with it by combining two different concepts: “education” and “film industry producer,” creating an “educational producer for online courses.”

You can also take a product that sells successfully for one audience and adapt it for another. For example, “business courses for adults.” You can launch “business courses” for children, students, or retirees.

You can also sell the same thing but through different sales channels.

There are many options. The main idea is to do it first. Doing something new is crucial. That’s why humanity rewards “pioneers” because they take the biggest risks in this way.

How to Name Your Project?

You Found an Analogy. How to Name Yours? Two Ways:

1. Take available 4-5-letter domains. There are services that can help you find them. Find any available one that sounds pleasant and doesn’t sound odd. That’s how “Tinder” and “Badoo” came about. They sound harmonious and don’t mean anything specific. They sound pleasant and are easily inclined.
2. You can mention the project’s meaning in the name. This results in longer and meaningful names. For example, “adultfriendfinder.”

Summary

1. Look for a reference project with a size of at least $1 billion. Subscribe to all news related to it and follow the team (similarweb).
2. Break it down into elements and highlight the main ones based on the 1+1+1 principle.
3. Evaluate the chances of displacing current competitors. “Superiority” in terms of being faster, cheaper, or larger. What’s new in technology or behavior? Has a “window of opportunity” appeared? Understand why the “window of opportunity” appeared: deglobalization, green agenda, AI.
4. Study how they acquired their first 1000 customers. What were the pivots? How did the company get its first 1000 customers?
5. Find a mentor who has gone through this path. Consult with them or bring them into the project. Interview the employees of the original project.
6. Assemble a team (MVT) and launch the main “killer feature” in a minimal geographic area. You need to cover at least two roles: 1. Someone who can win in sales channels 2. Someone who can win in the minds of the target audience.
7. If you didn’t make a mistake in steps 1-6, then you’ll grow. If you’re not growing, the mistake is usually either a) in the team and execution or b) underestimating the local market.

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