Doing It Right, Not First

Keep in mind too, that "doing it right" involves much more than "just" solving the problem. It's at least as important to let people know that you've solved a problem that they have. It wasn't Instagram's software that Facebook paid $1B for, it was the people using the software.<p>"Doing it right" involves doing the marketing right, and doing the customer acquisition right, and doing the customer support right, as well as getting the UX/UI right and choosing the right scalable backend and using elegant algorithms.<p>Often the customer acquisition and marketing are _way_ more important than elegant algorithms and scalable software stacks (cue Facebook and PHP discussions…).

Something anyone working on a startup idea should bear in mind. You may find similarities out there to what you have vision to do once you get started working with your idea. However, it is helpful to realize that just because something is similar to you does not mean that it has to be the same. Adding your own personality, twists to the product that differentiate yourself, and your own insight as well can set you apart from others. That's getting it right by focusing less on what others do with their ideas and more on what you want to do with yours. Focusing more on innovation &#38; less on the competition is a much better way to succeed in the long-run.

It's not even clear that you have to do it right.

The best example of this theory is, for me, Dropbox.

Given we live in the 'everything has been done' world, being first doesn't mean anything. Many of the big names were not first (google, facebook, twitter etc).<p>So 'doing it right' has a lot of benefit.<p>But in context probably of most value is just the 'doing'. Getting out there, speaking to potential customers and showing off your MVP.

Do you know any companies that "did it first" and are still in the lead after a number of years? To my surprise, I cannot seem to think of any.

do it better, not do it right<p>"right" is always changing

Or be the first to do it right...