Recently, I got a call from a college student who told me, “Sir, we worked on our website for two months, did not go home for summer break but now we do not know how to get customers. We feel like giving up...” Before I started analysing his business, I told him not to give up. Here are few things you can keep in mind when you are working on something:
Nine out of 10 ideas fail
Before Angry Birds became a super-success from Team Rovio, they had launched 54 games and failed. Angry Birds was their 55th game and became a super-hit. So do not assume success — you will be disappointed. Assume failure, keep an eye on your goal and enjoy the journey.
Keep moving
In Nurture Talent Academy’s first workshop, we got 100 inquiries but only one customer. Imagine one student sitting with a teacher in a classroom — but we decided not to cancel the workshop. In three years, that number has gone to 20,000+ across 100+ cities. Do things to see the outcome.
Talk to customers
The website of the student I told about did not have a registration page, demo video link was not loading and there was no ‘Contact us’ or a ‘help’ page. Even if customers visit the website, they feel lost, not knowing what to do and who to ask. It is tough to attract initial customers, but make sure that the ones who come to you have all ways to contact you. Check out Flipkart or leading businesses — they will list their phone or mobile numbers right on the top or homepage of the website. Do not be super-secretive — display your personal name and details so people can trust you.
Learn from experiences
When you fail, you get experiences. If you are a third- or final-year student, put in two months of your life doing something — what do you loose? Nothing! You have approximately 35 years of working life ahead. So if you spend some part of that doing what you loved, rather than sleeping in your hostel room or watching movies, it is a positive step.
Circle of Positivity
Find friends who are positive about life, and keep them, always. Meet them as often as you can, share your problems even if they cannot solve it. Be with positive people. Keep your head down and do not give up.
— amit.grover@nurturetalent.in