traction
Note: This skill is independent analysis and commentary, not a reproduction of the original text. It synthesizes the book's core ideas with modern startup practice, surfaces where frameworks are outdated or incomplete, and integrates perspectives from adjacent disciplines. For the full argument and context, read the original book.
Traction
"Almost every failed startup has a product. What failed startups don't have is enough customers." - Gabriel Weinberg
Should You Use This Skill?
Do you have a product (or MVP) but not enough customers?
|-- YES --> Do you know which acquisition channel works?
| |-- NO --> THIS SKILL. Run the Bullseye Framework.
| +-- YES --> Is that channel still working?
| |-- YES --> Keep going. Re-run Bullseye when it saturates.
| +-- NO --> THIS SKILL. All channels saturate eventually.
+-- NO --> Do you have a product at all?
|-- NO --> Use Lean Startup first. But read the 50% Rule below.
+-- YES, but nobody wants it --> Use Lean Startup / Four Steps first.
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66lean-startup
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63mom-test
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62100m-leads
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61storybrand
Applies the StoryBrand SB7 Framework from Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller. Use when writing website copy, crafting brand messaging, creating marketing materials, building sales funnels, or designing email campaigns. The SB7 Framework positions the customer as the hero and the brand as the guide across 7 story elements. Triggers include 'how should we write our website', 'our messaging is confusing', 'customers don't understand what we do', 'how do I write a tagline', 'what should our homepage say', 'nobody reads our emails', 'how do I create a lead generator', 'our marketing isn't working but our product is good'. NOT for growth channel selection (use Traction), not for product positioning against competitors (use Obviously Awesome), not for pricing (use Monetizing Innovation).
60influence
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