[SMrF]

Usually these "lessons learned" posts are very hand-wavy and hard to relate to. But this post has some great tips and the author sounds like me, just a regular person trying to sell a product.

I also think that building something beyond your authority is a really common failure pattern more people should be aware of.

[toumhi]

Congrats Jaana on the launch and the transparency you're showing here!

I agree about the last lesson indeed (not having enough authority). Also, something that was discussed on the 30x500 alumni list, was that the trust you have to inspire to your followers in order to sell a product at $300 is much higher than if you sell a $20 ebook. Hence, all other things being equal, it's better to start with a lower priced first product.

That's also something explained very well in the Book Yourself Solid book (http://www.amazon.com/Book-Yourself-Solid-Reliable-Marketing...).

You first need to build trust with free stuff, then cheap education products, then more and more expensive products or services (in the case of the book's author, 1-to-1 coaching). Very few people are going to buy something expensive from you if they don't know you. Most often they'll consume the free stuff first, then move on to your cheap product, etc.

[jkulmala]

Thanks! You are SO right!

I had some extra challenges on authority all along since I didn't pick an audience that I'd belong in myself. I just couldn't see myself writing technical tutorials for Java developers - and I didn't want to pick accountants either.

And I did a huge amount of little mistakes! I consider myself lucky in that I eventually reached the launch goal at all.

[ahoyhere]

And I did a huge amount of little mistakes! I consider myself lucky in that I eventually reached the launch goal at all.

It's not luck, it's because you got the core thing right: You are killing a real pain people with money have. :) If you get that core right, you can make tons of mistakes and still help people and make money. It buys you the chance to improve and fix and grow.

[jkulmala]

Thanks, Amy!

I can honestly say that what you have taught me in 30x500 has sliced years off the learning curve of online business!

[tjculbertson]

Agree 100%. This is so concise and rich in actionable intel. I Evernoted for a reread prior to going live. Great to see a product that was in your head get built by you, distributed by you and give value to your customers. That is impressive...congrats!

[jkulmala]

Thank you! I'm glad you liked it.