The Bootstrapper Bible by Seth Godin (103 pages) (opens in new tab)

(slideshare.net)

9 pointsnibo14y ago4 comments

4 comments

This is a book written by someone whose livelihood is motivational marketing. I would urge anyone interested in building a product to spend their time doing that instead of reading these kind of self-help books. There's no signposted path to success, and the more you rely on stuff like this, the less likely you are to find an unexplored route of your own.

snitko14y ago

Yes. Also, I don't know if you would agree, but I think any hacker bootstrapping a startup should instead read this book: http://www.amazon.com/Start-Small-Stay-Developers-Launching/... It's written by a developer (a real one, who can actually code, not just talk about startups) who has really done it on his own - filled with valuable advices and thoughts. Every time I see someone talks about some startup book written by a marketing guru, I can't help but recommend this one instead.

As a side note, I'd like to point out that a lot of scam books appeared on amazon in the marketing and startup sections lately. The worst thing, they all got fake 5 star reviews, so it's not always clear right away this is a scam.

niboOP14y ago

snitko, eh eh. Hacker News is home of very smart people and I don't expect The Bootstrapper Bible to be their only book.

Btw, the fact that you suggested that book made me understand how much the current way Amazon suggest you books doesn't really take in consideration your goals or background.

It should actually ask you "Why are you buying this book?" Me "Because I want to make a startup" AMZ "Oh cool, what's you background?" Me "I am hacker" AMZ "Oh ok then with Seth Godin you are going a little bit too businessy. Try Start Small, Stay Small"

Sorry guys, early morning thoughts.

niboOP14y ago

I understand your point. Do not forget that he may be a marketing guru now but Seth Godin has computer science degree and started Yoyodyne in 1995, raised $4 million and sold it to Yahoo! 3 years later for $30 million. I think that's not bad.

I know that sometimes he's maybe too motivational but I believe he has a brilliant mix of talking and doing. Squidoo is a great hack to raise money for charities; same for the Domino Project to re-think the publish industry; and the work he is doing for Acumen Fund is really inspiring

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4 comments

idlewords14y ago

snitko14y ago

niboOP14y ago

snitko, eh eh. Hacker News is home of very smart people and I don't expect The Bootstrapper Bible to be their only book.

Btw, the fact that you suggested that book made me understand how much the current way Amazon suggest you books doesn't really take in consideration your goals or background.

Sorry guys, early morning thoughts.

niboOP14y ago

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