Most startups don't succeed. And for those that do, it usually takes many years. Forget about Instagram and quick hits--instead, focus on the parts of the journey that you love and be prepared to immerse yourself in your product and team for a long time. To increase your chance for success, surround yourself with the right people and be sure to focus early on distribution. This was delivered as the closing talk at Bitspiration 2013, in Krakow, Poland.

1. Startup
Land
in
Little
Victories

2. @technotheory

5. YEARS

8. YEARS

9. Startup Land
Reality
Little Victories
Tricks for the Journey

10. Reality

12. Darkroom
Steply
Labelbox
ActionCam

13. 2003 2009ANGEL
INVESTMENT

14. YEARS
2003 2009ANGEL
INVESTMENT

15. 2006 2012
MAY

16. YEARS
2006 2012
FEB MAR

17. 2006 JUN
2013

18. 2009
10K
users
JAN
2011

19. YEARS
2009 JUN
2013
10K
users
JAN
2011
48.7M
users

20. 2007
12M
blogs
JAN
2011

21. YEARS
MAY
2013
12M
blogs
JAN
2011
108M
blogs
2007

23. Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11

24. Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11

29. AND GET
FUNDED

30. $10M+

31. $100M+

33. Oops!
Something failed!

35. Little
Victories

42. Mar-11 May-11 Jul-11 Sep-11 Nov-11 Jan-12 Mar-12

43. Mar-11 Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11Apr-11 May-11 Jun-11 Jul-11 Aug-11 Sep-11 Oct-11 Nov-11 Dec-11 Jan-12 Feb-12

44. Flickr Photo: joncandy

45. SUCCESS IS…

46. FOR YOUR
SUCCESS IS…

47. Tricks for the
Journey

48. Tricks for the Journey
FIND THE RIGHT
PEOPLE

50. Flickr Photo: allison_dc

51. Flickr Photo: allison_dc

52. Flickr Photo: allison_dc

53. Tricks for the Journey
RELATIONSHIP
MARKETING

54. IT’S NOT ABOUT YOU
Host a Panel (don't just talk)
Organize a Dinner Party
Host an Event
Flickr Photo: Pierofix

55. STAY IN TOUCH…
(by being helpful)
Send links or tips
Offer news from time to time
Ask for advice
Photo: Evomail

56. REAL TIME
(every 3–6 months)
Coffee/Lunch /Beer
Skype/Hangout (call, if no video)
Invite to an event/party

57. Tricks for the Journey
DISTRIBUTION

58. MarketingvsDistribution

59. MARKETING
DISTRIBUTION
Marketplace Affiliate Reseller
Example
They
Get Paid
Upfront Conversion* Conversion
Conversion
+ Renewal
Customer
Support
You You You Reseller
Customer
Relationship
You You* You Reseller
Setup
Involved
Your
Control

60. http://bit.ly/piratesnew
if Marketing…

61. if Distribution…

62. A M J J A S O N D J F

63. thank you :)
Jared Goralnick