I think trying to ‘find the thing that goes exponential’ is the root cause of chasing the next shiny object. It’s hard to run three month experiments time and time again without hitting the growth curve. Have I missed a secret step here to finding the thing that goes exponential?
You aren’t supposed to run experiments every three months. You’re supposed to run experiments until you find something exponential and then double down on it. You’re only supposed to do experiments when you don’t know the thing that is giving you outmoded growth. Once you have it, then the second three months is about doubling down on it, and then once you see that it has legs you’re supposed to spend the next 3-6 months mastering and systematizing it, before you go onto the next thing. Those things that are in your kit are the magic tricks you keep doing. So, I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, because I have never said run experiments every three months, only run experiments until you find the thing, and then double down on it.
The process is:
Pick something that you think is worth exploring for the next 3 months.
Spend 3 months testing. If it works, then you double down and keep going for 3 more months.
After those six months, you should know if it has legs. Then you master and systematize.
Meanwhile, you don’t give up the other things. You keep doing those things you have already mastered. The things you master isn’t supposed to take you much effort, because you have mastered it.
Where have I lost you here? Because I know I have talked to you on multiple calls about this process, and how it works.
I’ve tried Kickstarter, an engagement experiment with existing list, running webinars as precursors to sales (these used to work but that dropped off last year), in person freebie workshops (ditto for last year), so now coming back to the spotlight strategy of drip-feed content. I’m also running another Kickstarter launching next week in a different genre to test that process again.
Hi Russell, I get this: “You’re supposed to run experiments until you find something exponential and then double down on it.” My point was that if you haven’t yet found the thing that goes exponential, despite the three month experiments, it can feel disheartening. Personally I have not found anything exponential. I would like to! Now it’s very possible I am not running very good experiments and am not testing properly, giving up too early. So, I wasn’t blaming the messenger or even the message, just highlighting my experience of not yet having found something exponential.
Sorry, the link doesn’t work. There is probably a lot left to test! Reinvigourating substack for growth, revamping podcast, new content for new genre, maintaining linkedin for existing genres.
So, what is working reliably? Anything? What are the magic tricks you can keep going back to right now? Also, are these things you're doing with existing people or new people?
things/don't love): cleaning list, setting up booklinkers, changing address. These are all pretty simple to get done. All of my things are in the top right otherwise.
I think trying to ‘find the thing that goes exponential’ is the root cause of chasing the next shiny object. It’s hard to run three month experiments time and time again without hitting the growth curve. Have I missed a secret step here to finding the thing that goes exponential?
You aren’t supposed to run experiments every three months. You’re supposed to run experiments until you find something exponential and then double down on it. You’re only supposed to do experiments when you don’t know the thing that is giving you outmoded growth. Once you have it, then the second three months is about doubling down on it, and then once you see that it has legs you’re supposed to spend the next 3-6 months mastering and systematizing it, before you go onto the next thing. Those things that are in your kit are the magic tricks you keep doing. So, I’m not quite sure what you’re talking about, because I have never said run experiments every three months, only run experiments until you find the thing, and then double down on it.
The process is:
Pick something that you think is worth exploring for the next 3 months.
Spend 3 months testing. If it works, then you double down and keep going for 3 more months.
After those six months, you should know if it has legs. Then you master and systematize.
Meanwhile, you don’t give up the other things. You keep doing those things you have already mastered. The things you master isn’t supposed to take you much effort, because you have mastered it.
Where have I lost you here? Because I know I have talked to you on multiple calls about this process, and how it works.
I’ve tried Kickstarter, an engagement experiment with existing list, running webinars as precursors to sales (these used to work but that dropped off last year), in person freebie workshops (ditto for last year), so now coming back to the spotlight strategy of drip-feed content. I’m also running another Kickstarter launching next week in a different genre to test that process again.
Hi Russell, I get this: “You’re supposed to run experiments until you find something exponential and then double down on it.” My point was that if you haven’t yet found the thing that goes exponential, despite the three month experiments, it can feel disheartening. Personally I have not found anything exponential. I would like to! Now it’s very possible I am not running very good experiments and am not testing properly, giving up too early. So, I wasn’t blaming the messenger or even the message, just highlighting my experience of not yet having found something exponential.
That makes more sense. What have you tried so far? What isn’t working? What is on the top left in your Eisenhower matrix? Have you done this exercise? https://www.hapitalist.com/p/how-to-tell-what-to-do-next-when
Those are the things I would ask at this point if it’s been a couple cycles and nothing has come up.
What ISNT exponential isn’t as good as finding what is, but it is instructive.
Which things remain to test?
Sorry, the link doesn’t work. There is probably a lot left to test! Reinvigourating substack for growth, revamping podcast, new content for new genre, maintaining linkedin for existing genres.
I just messaged you some questions I have.
Try it again. The site went dark for a couple minutes, but I think is back up now. Here's it on another site too. https://www.frictionlessgrowth.com/p/how-to-tell-what-to-do-next-when?
So, what is working reliably? Anything? What are the magic tricks you can keep going back to right now? Also, are these things you're doing with existing people or new people?
working through both pages right now - thanks, link working.
things/don't love): cleaning list, setting up booklinkers, changing address. These are all pretty simple to get done. All of my things are in the top right otherwise.