// playbookfor founders
If I launched GTM for a third AI startup
I've launched GTM for two AI startups, both of which were successfully acquired. If I were to launch a third, here are the 10 things I would pour my energy into.
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01
Sell the vision, renew with value.Customers buy from early stage startups based on your promise of the future. They renew based on the value you deliver.
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02
Weekly new prospect meetings and weekly qualified opps created are your only two North Star metrics.
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03
Put GTM talent near your biggest clusters of prospects.Get in person.
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04
Nobody has heard of your brand.It's on everyone at the company to change that.
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05
Speed wins.Legacy competition can't keep up when a startup plays to win every single day.
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06
Creative problem solving, always.No two deals are the same in the early days. Keep your mind open and keep asking why not.
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07
Find one weak spot your legacy competitor shows, and go 100X at it.
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08
Read Danny Meyer's Setting the Table.Find ways to surprise and delight your customers.
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09
Your network will help with intros.Keep them posted on your progress (and wins!). And thank them.
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10
Make time for your physical and mental health.It's a long game and a grind to the top.
(Wrote this after surfing in Bolinas today 🏄)