Jon MacDonald

Most entrepreneurs assume their new carbidigulator’s features are so legendary, customers will just “get” what it does, what problems it solves, and why it’s valuable. Big mistake. The wheel is arguably the most pivotal human innovation. At first, it was used for pottery. And, it took over 300 years(!)... ...before some genius had the a-ha: “What if we flip this thing on its side and use it for transportation!?” So why do you assume people will instantly understand how your product makes a difference???? Market your product, and I assume you want my money. Market my problem, and I assume you want to help me. – 📌 Want to clearly articulate a problem you solve? Join the next cohort of the Category Design Academy. (Applications due now 🏴‍☠️👇)

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DTC founders, if your inventory system isn't dialed in, you're playing a dangerous game. Your inventory management system contains data that can help you make real-time decisions on how much inventory you should buy. There are real stakes to not nailing down your inventory. Miss the mark and you could end up missing out on sales or drowning in excess stock that's eating into your margins—neither is a good place to be. Think your inventory game is tight? Better be sure. The stakes are real.

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🚨 Attention Health, Wellness, Supplement, and Nutrition DTC Companies! 🚨 The PROP 65 regulations are changing, and it could impact your business! OEHDA is proposing amendments that might require on-product warnings for online-only sales. The changes could lead to extra costs and challenges for our businesses. THE DEADLINE FOR COMMENTS IS TOMORROW, JUNE 28, 2024!!! What to do: 1) Review the Proposed Amend: https://lnkd.in/eTp8n-HX 2) Submit Your Comment: https://lnkd.in/e6SXmWMS. Please emphasize the burden of the extra requirements and the redundancy for online-only businesses. Deadline: June 28, 2024 Please act now! The changes could impact your business’s cost and operations. Let’s ensure our voices are heard! Example Response: To: OEHDA Subject: Comments on Proposed Amendments to Article 6, Clear and Reasonable Warnings Dear OEHDA, I am writing to express my concern about the proposed amendments to the Prop 65 regulations. As a health and wellness company owner, I am concerned about the requirement for on-product warnings for online-only sales. The changes could lead to significant costs and challenges for our business. We already provide clear and prominent warnings on our product display pages and at checkout, sufficient for the customers to make informed decisions. The additional requirement for on-product warnings would be redundant and expensive. I urge OEHDA to reconsider the proposed changes and allow online-only businesses to continue providing digital warnings. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely, [Your Name] [Your Company] [Your Contact Information] Please modify the response to match your circumstances and send it to OEHDA by the deadline. Please share this post to ensure more businesses are aware of the crucial change and have a chance to respond! #DTC #Health #Wellness #Supplements #Nutrition #Prop65 #Compliance #ActNow

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Your attention is a precious, finite resource that shapes your identity and is heavily sought after by tech giants and advertisers. Companies like Google, Facebook, and TikTok use sophisticated algorithms and psychological tactics to capture and monetize your focus. While advertisers may pay only thousands for access to your attention, they potentially extract millions in value over your lifetime. This attention marketplace operates on an industrial scale, often at odds with your well-being. Reclaiming control of your attention requires self-awareness, environmental design, and patience to rewire ingrained habits. Understanding the true worth of your attention is crucial in navigating today's digital landscape and maintaining agency over your most valuable asset – your focus. https://lnkd.in/gpwzWPVx

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Startup founders/CMOS/CROs: The most important part of designing & dominating a new category is framing, naming and claiming a problem. To win (76% of the economics) you must own the problem. Because…. She who owns the problem.  Becomes the solution. And owning a problem that matters. Is the greatest moat you can have. 🏴‍☠️ Want to learn how. Hit the link in comments 👇

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Startup founders/CMOS/CROs: The most important part of designing & dominating a new category is framing, naming and claiming a problem. To win (76% of the economics) you must own the problem. Because…. She who owns the problem. Becomes the solution. And owning a problem that matters. Is the greatest moat you can have. 🏴‍☠️ (Ps... wanna win in 2025... take our Strategy Therapy course 👇🏻)

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Standing out as a DTC brand is harder than ever. But there is one thing that any brand can do to differentiate themselves even in the toughest markets. Innovate. The best part is there’s so many ways to innovate and it doesn’t just stop at product innovation. Steve Jobs once talked about creating products that seem impossible at first. This isn't just dreaming; it's about planning and working hard to make it happen. Take Apple, for example. They transformed from making big, costly computers to sleek, affordable ones. They didn't just follow trends; they set their own. DTC brands need to tap into this kind of innovation to grow. It's not just about marketing well; it's about having a quality product tied to the right messaging that grabs attention and keeps customers coming back. Innovation should be at the heart of every business. This not only helps your business grow but also gives you an edge over competitors. As the DTC space continues to change, the companies that will succeed are those that focus on innovation, not just in products but in the content they produce, the values they stand by, and ways they do business. Invest in a vision, even when it's not easy. What are you doing to innovate and stay top of mind?

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Creating a new product category is tempting for many tech founders? Do they stand a better chance of winning in a new or an existing category? When deciding whether to position your product in an existing or new category, consider key factors like market size, customer mindset, and whether your product can make it in that category. Sequoia's ARC product-market-fit framework, built on years of experience, offers great insights. I've summarized key points comparing the two strategies: Existing Product Category You’re solving a clear, urgent problem with strong demand. But with demand comes fierce competition. To win, you must stand out. Being faster or cheaper isn’t enough. You need a unique offering and customer experience that sets you apart. New Product Category You see a pain point that everyone accepts as a fact of life, but you recognize it’s just a tough problem waiting for a solution. Customers have accepted it as the norm and aren’t actively seeking change. The status quo feels unchangeable. But you disrupt it with a fresh approach: while facts can’t be changed, problems can be solved. The real challenge is breaking the habit. Customers need to shift their behaviors, and inertia is strong. Your solution must be innovative and impactful enough to make that change worthwhile. Link to the framework: https://lnkd.in/dTXd45Fu #productmarketfit #startups #pmf #productmarketing #entrepreneurship

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How is your startup tapping into customer journeys? Consider the journey your customers take to find and purchase from you. Are they discovering you through social media, search engine results, or traditional print campaigns? Reflect on every step a customer must take from the moment they discover your company to the point of purchase. A complicated process with too many steps can deter potential customers. Think about your own experiences – have you ever been interested in a product but got lost in a lengthy checkout process? The key is to streamline your sales process. Make it as easy as possible for customers to learn about your company and complete a purchase. This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts your chances of closing sales.

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How is your startup tapping into customer journeys? Consider the journey your customers take to find and purchase from you. Are they discovering you through social media, search engine results, or traditional print campaigns? Reflect on every step a customer must take from the moment they discover your company to the point of purchase. A complicated process with too many steps can deter potential customers. Think about your own experiences – have you ever been interested in a product but got lost in a lengthy checkout process? The key is to streamline your sales process. Make it as easy as possible for customers to learn about your company and complete a purchase. This approach not only enhances the customer experience but also boosts your chances of closing sales.

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Ready to fuel your startup success? Dive into this comprehensive guide on angel investors and get the insider knowledge you need to secure funding. 💰 👉 https://lnkd.in/e_sXqhWg

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I get for a lot of companies these are pedestrian numbers but for a true startup, I love these numbers. Word is getting out on OttoQa. We are consistently getting 50-100 companies every 30-60 minutes on the Otto site with just word of mouth and organic posts. We have not even started marketing. #callcenter #contactcenter #callcentergeek #autoqa #cx #ai

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5 Steps to Identify What Your Business Should Automate (An Actionable Guide) P.S. Is your SME drowning in operational inefficiencies? ↓ DM me "10x Faster" to see if we're a good fit, for your biz.

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VCs: We Partner Early With Exceptional Entrepreneurs To Build Transformational B2C Companies. Me: My company has surpassed $1M ARR, 4K customer mailing list, 30K local social media followers, 1K 5star Reviews, Strong brand and compelling story  VCs: Thank you for your submission, Unfortunately… #vc #investing #funding #venturecapital #investor

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