At some point, some of it. The trap is in automating something too soon. Do things that don't scale, then see what you can do to automate it. Not the other way around.
Great Q. I explain them this is the actual grind of doing a startup. All work before was relatively easy, now the real hard work starts. I don't sugarcoat it, but I help to celebrate tiny moments. I had a founder once who said I *only* got two responses out of 20 emails, because he felt that was bad. Then I always say: Hey man, these are hitrates a lot of founders would be jealous off. In anything, there's an upside. If somebody shoots 150 unguided, and is frustrated, I tell them: At least you are in the arena. It's a marathon and a learning curve. Keep that grit, and move on.
Solid advice. The 60-minute block is the only way it ever actually happens.
I guess my question is how much of this can be automated?
At some point, some of it. The trap is in automating something too soon. Do things that don't scale, then see what you can do to automate it. Not the other way around.
Getting that initial traction is key, and manual outreach is a grind. This is a solid breakdown of the process and the common sticking points.
How do you coach founders to keep momentum when the first wave of silence hits?
Great Q. I explain them this is the actual grind of doing a startup. All work before was relatively easy, now the real hard work starts. I don't sugarcoat it, but I help to celebrate tiny moments. I had a founder once who said I *only* got two responses out of 20 emails, because he felt that was bad. Then I always say: Hey man, these are hitrates a lot of founders would be jealous off. In anything, there's an upside. If somebody shoots 150 unguided, and is frustrated, I tell them: At least you are in the arena. It's a marathon and a learning curve. Keep that grit, and move on.
Interesting!
Thanks for this. An absolutely key and many times dismissed topic.