Will it fly? : how to test your next business idea so you don't waste your time and money

251 Pages·2016·8.66 MB·English

WILL IT FLY?
How to Test Your Next Business Idea
So You Don’t Waste Your Time and
Money
PAT FLYNN
CONTENTS
Praise for Will It Fly?
Copyright
The FREE Will It Fly? Companion Course
Dedication
Foreword (Pre-Flight Check)
Introduction
Part 1: Mission Design
1. Before Your Journey Begins
2. The Airport Test
3. The History Test
4. The Shark Bait Test
5. Folding Your Wings
Part 2: Development Lab
6. Before You Print Your Business Card
7. Germination
8. One Sentence
9. Conversation and Observation
Part 3: Flight Planning
10. Diagnostics
11. Your 1,000 True Fans
12. The Market Map
13. The Customer P.L.A.N.
14. Elixirs
Part 4: Flight Simulator
15. The Silent Hero
16. Principles of Validation
17. The Validation Method
18. Validation in Action
→ Case Study #1: Joey Korenman
→ Case Study #2: Bryan Harris
→ Case Study #3: Jennifer Barcelos
→ Case Study #4: Jarrod Robinson
→ Case Study #5: Noah Kagan
→ Case Study #6: You!
Part 5: All Systems Go
19. Countdown
The Will It Fly? Companion Course (For Free!)
Resources for Starting Your Business
Let Go: My Unexpected Path from Panic to Profits and Purpose
Acknowledgments
About Smart Passive Income (SPI)
About the Author
PRAISE FOR WILL IT FLY?
“Being an entrepreneur is scary. Especially in the beginning when you feel
lonely, lost, and wondering: What if my idea fails? In Will it Fly?, Pat Flynn
shows you step-by-step how to figure out if your new idea will be successful
before you go all in. This book is an absolute must-read for any entrepreneur
looking to start a new business, enter a new market, or launch a new product.
One hundred percent, I recommend reading, and re-reading this book.”
—R L , #1 N B A , A
YAN EVESQUE ATIONAL ESTSELLING UTHOR SK
“Will It Fly? eliminates the number one fear of every new entrepreneur: Will my
business idea work? Now you have Pat Flynn acting as your trusted, experienced
copilot to help you answer that question. Will It Fly? is authentic, as real as it
gets, fun to read, and should be required reading for all budding entrepreneurs.
Possibly the most important book in your business library.”
—R E , F & CEO, R E I , I .
AY DWARDS OUNDER AY DWARDS NTERNATIONAL NC
“Losing your job can be the best thing that ever happens to you. In a short period
of time, former employee-turned-entrepreneur Pat Flynn has unlocked the keys
to recurring, sustainable income. His new book is inspiring, but that isn't the
point—instead of just cheering you on, it will take you by the hand and show
you exactly what you need to do before launching your business idea.”
—C G , N Y T B T
HRIS UILLEBEAU EW ORK IMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF ORN FOR HIS AND
T $100 S
HE TARTUP
“People love to dream, imagine, and hope. But even great ideas without action
and execution never get off the ground—they don’t change the world or your
bank account. This book will help identify your ONE sentence, your ‘unfair
advantage,’ and a plan of action to make your idea fly. Spectator or pilot—you
get to choose.”
—D M , N Y T , 48 D W Y
AN ILLER EW ORK IMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR AYS TO THE ORK OU
L
OVE
“Pat has done the perfect job of inspiring, teaching, motivating and guiding new
entrepreneurs through the most important part of the business building process…
the fundamentals. However, he goes further, taking us on a journey of discovery,
confidence building and support—all with a healthy slice of reality! If you want
to get started in online business the smart way, you need to read this book.”
—C D , V F
HRIS UCKER BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF IRTUAL REEDOM
“Pat is one of my most trusted resources for Internet business education.
Everything he teaches is tested and proven. Will It Fly? is no exception. If you
want to start an online business then look no further. This book will take you
step-by-step through the vetting process so that you can put the odds of success
on your side. No smart entrepreneur should consider starting an online business
without first running it through Will It Fly?”
—T T , F & M C F M .C
ODD RESIDDER OUNDER ONEY OACH AT INANCIAL ENTOR OM
“It’s tempting to create random products and services then HOPE your
customers will buy it. However, hope is NOT a strategy. In Will It Fly?,
Governor Pat Flynn gives you a process to run your ideas through to gain the
proof you need to confidently take your idea to market or shelf it before it costs
you years, tears, and dollar bills. This is Paperback Business School.”
—J S , I . 30 30 E
OSH HIPP NC MAGAZINE UNDER NTREPRENEUR
“I don’t know if Will It Fly? is the only book of its kind, but I know that I’ve
never read a book like it. Whether you are an entrepreneur who wants to ensure
that your next launch is the most successful of your career, or you’re a
wantrepreneur with an idea that you want to turn into a highly profitable
business, this book will give you exactly what you’re after.”
—H E , #1 T M M
AL LROD BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HE IRACLE ORNING
“Our time is the most important resource we have. Will It Fly? will help you to
turn years of trial and error into mere days by helping you zero in on the
business and life decisions that will create the life you want faster. You can
bump your head again and again to figure it out, or you can take this incredible
guidance from Pat Flynn and start creating the life you desire right now. It really
is that powerful.”
—S S , T M H S ,
HAWN TEVENSON BESTSELLING AUTHOR AND HOST OF HE ODEL EALTH HOW
T #1 F & N P
I UNES ITNESS UTRITION ODCAST
“I wish I would have read this before launching my writing business. It would
have saved me from so many mistakes. If you have an idea you want to share
with the world, this book is required reading. Don’t miss it.”
—J G , T A W
EFF OINS BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF HE RT OF ORK
“As entrepreneurs, all we have is TIME. Spending our limited bandwidth on a
project with its only validation in our own head is a recipe for disaster. In Will it
Fly?, Pat shares the recipe for SUCCESS. Grow your audience the RIGHT way,
by asking for their struggles, constructing the solution in the form of a
product/service/community, and create ONLY when they’ve voted for with their
wallet. Pat gives you the ingredients; it’s time to take ACTION!”
—J L D , EOF .
OHN EE UMAS FOUNDER AND HOST OF IRE COM
“Launching a new product or service can be daunting. Thankfully, Pat Flynn is a
knowledgeable guide who will encourage you, show you the essential steps, and
help ensure you’re on the right path. I wouldn’t launch a product without reading
this book first.”
—D C , S O R Y ,
ORIE LARK AUTHOR OF TAND UT AND EINVENTING OU AND ADJUNCT
, D U ’ F S B
PROFESSOR UKE NIVERSITY S UQUA CHOOL OF USINESS
© 2016 - Flynndustries, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this publication may be
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[email protected]
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This publication contains materials designed to assist readers in evaluating the merits of business ideas for
education purposes only. While the publisher and author have made every attempt to verify that the
information provided in this book is correct and up to date, the publisher and author assume no
responsibility for any error, inaccuracy, or omission.
The advice, examples, and strategies contained herein are not suitable for every situation. The materials
contained herein are not intended to represent or guarantee you will achieve your desired results, and the
publisher and author make no such guarantee. Neither the publisher nor author shall be liable for damages
arising therefrom. Success is determined by a number of factors beyond the control of the publisher and
author including, but not limited to, market conditions, the capital on hand, effort levels, and time. You
understand every business idea carries an inherent risk of capital loss and failure.
This book is not intended for use as a source of legal or financial advice. Evaluating and launching a
business involves complex legal and financial issues. You should always retain competent legal and
financial professionals to provide guidance in evaluating and pursuing a specific business idea.
ORDERING INFORMATION
Quantity sales. Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corporations, associations, and
others. For details, contact the publisher at the address above.
ISBN 978-0-9970823-0-2: Paperback ISBN 978-0-9970823-1-9: eBook
Will It Fly? How to Test Your Next Business Idea So You Don’t Waste Your Time and Money / Pat Flynn
1. Entrepreneurship. 2. Small Business. 3. Motivational & Inspirational. 4. Validation. 5. How to Start a
Business
Editing by Command+Z
Book Cover Design by Winning Edits Interior Book Design by Erin Tyler eBook Design by Ian Claudius