Buzz
In 2007, I launched Mytour without any clear vision of what it could become. Throughout this journey, both professionally and personally, I've faced many challenges. Over the years, I've consumed a vast amount of literature to help guide me in making crucial decisions for the platform. This compilation of advice is a reflection of the best insights I’ve encountered for building something from scratch. I hope it serves as a valuable resource for those of our followers who are seeking to break away from conventional paths and create something unique of their own.
10. Embrace Innovation
Madonna in the 80s and 90s. David Bowie. Lady Gaga. What connects these artists? They dared to be different. They boldly declared, 'This is who I am, take it or leave it.' Their success didn’t stem from trying to please everyone or from following trends. It was born from their ability to create something fresh, groundbreaking, even genre-defining. While Metallica was caught up in legal battles with Napster to control their revenue, other artists like Radiohead (as early as 2007) were abandoning the traditional model and selling their music directly through their own websites.
Being a great artist is one thing, but being a great artist who resists falling into the traps of consumerism and greed is another. The question is, would you choose to be like Metallica, scraping by with the meager earnings their label offers, only to be disliked by everyone except the label? Or would you rather be like Radiohead, making less but staying true to your artistic vision and cultivating a loyal, passionate fanbase?
9. Disregard the Advice
8. Find Joy in What You Do
Many people nowadays promote the idea of a four-hour workday, but forget that. For the past six years, I’ve been working from the moment I wake up until I go to sleep, and that’s not an exaggeration. Right now, it’s 7 pm, and I’ve been working on Mytour since 5 am this morning. Time and time again, I see people complaining that their blog isn’t gaining popularity, but they only post once every other day. When I started to feel I didn’t need to work such long hours, I tripled our daily tasks so I’d have more to do. This isn’t a burden—it's a joy. Not many can say they work fourteen hours a day doing something they truly love. The moment I wake up, I jump out of bed and head straight to my computer—because I enjoy it (though I usually grab a smoke and coffee first, but I get those done quickly). If you’re passionate about what you do, you will succeed. Sure, I could work just four hours, give myself a pat on the back, and then head off to play golf or whatever the four-hour workday is supposed to free up time for, but honestly, I’d rather be here working on Mytour.
7. Don’t Imitate Success
Steve Ballmer from Microsoft mocked the iPhone, awkwardly pointing out: “It doesn’t have a keyboard. [ . . . ] We’re selling millions [ . . . ] of phones a year: Apple is selling zero phones a year.” Watch the clip above. Ouch. So, how’s that Zune doing, Steve? McDonald's created McDonaldland, and Burger King thought it was such a great idea that they copied it with their own Burger King Kingdom. McDonald's earned twenty-seven billion dollars in 2011, but how much did Burger King make? Just under three billion. That’s what happens when you copy. Burger King was recently acquired, and the first thing they did was get rid of the ridiculous Burger King mascot. If you want to succeed, don’t copy others’ success. Create your own. Find your own path and excel in your niche. This principle applies everywhere—if you want to sell lemonade, don’t just copy your neighbor’s stand. Find a way to make your lemonade better or make your customers happier.
6. Fail
The fear of failure is arguably the number one obstacle standing between someone and their success. If you’re convinced you will fail, chances are you won’t even try. This holds true for things you’re already working on. When I first launched Mytour, I created five different blogs, each on a completely different subject. After a week, none of them were thriving. At that point, many would have given up, assuming they had failed. And, yes, four of those blogs did fail. But by week two, Mytour took off. I shut down the other blogs and devoted all my energy to Mytour. Had I let the fear of failure hold me back, you wouldn’t be reading this right now, and I’d likely still be programming software for others instead of spending my days doing what I love—sharing interesting facts with friends.
5. Prioritize Followers
4. Keep It Small
We all tend to dream big, but sometimes this inclination can actually hinder our success. If your goal is to write a book, create a product, or introduce the next big thing online, try focusing on building a small, dedicated fanbase. Don’t be discouraged if your idea resonates with only a few people. Put in the effort for those few, and they will share your enthusiasm with others. Having 1,000 loyal followers is far more valuable than 100,000 indifferent customers. Take Tiffany & Co. as an example—they started as an exclusive, small brand. But when they expanded and launched a new product line targeting the mid-price jewelry market, it nearly led to their downfall. They've since gone back to their original niche. Similarly, Calvin Klein was once a high-end, exclusive brand, but now that you can buy their underwear almost everywhere, the appeal has diminished. Who would get excited about owning CK underwear now?
3. Take Action Now
There's no better time than now to put these ideas into motion. There's no excuse for delay. Yes, it's Saturday, so you might be tempted to hit the mall instead of working, but try to make a change today—even if just once. Aim to make a stranger remember you, or do something that makes someone say, 'Wow!' Alternatively, you could start the book you’ve been dreaming of writing, or launch the blog you’ve always wanted to start. Even your dinner can be special: set a beautiful table and turn your meal into a fine-dining experience at home. Small changes and a new perspective can completely reshape your life.
2. Stand Out
In every area of your life, aim to be extraordinary. Be the one who stands out by consistently going above and beyond. If someone asks for $1, give them $10. If you're thinking of launching a website, don't settle for posting just one article a day—publish four! Give your full effort to whatever you're working on. While it might feel like hard work at times, you'll be the one people remember in the end. Remarkable actions often don't require tremendous effort. It could be as simple as responding to every comment on your blog or remembering someone’s name the next time you meet. People don’t pay extra at Harrods because the products are always superior (though sometimes they are); they pay for the exceptional service that leaves them saying, 'Wow!'
1. Be the Pioneer
This task may be becoming more challenging, but the path to gaining traction for your ideas is made much easier if you are the first to present something new. By being the first to try, you are already halfway to success. Seth Godin, a highly recommended author, shares a fascinating story in one of his books. It’s about a village leader in India who, living in an area without electricity, purchased the first solar-powered lantern. While others used kerosene lamps, the leader's front yard was filled with villagers who gathered to see how long the lantern would last. He became a local hero, drawing everyone’s attention. Eventually, others bought the same lanterns, but do you think the second person to buy one had the same experience? Of course not. He was just the second.
