Hello friends with big ideas who are worried about being copied so you move in silence, build alone, and keep your ideas close to your chest. This one’s for you. In fact, I used to be you, so I understand, but honestly, it's doing you more harm than good.

I found this great read on the value of ideas and why without the necessary work an idea is worthless.

Here's an excerpt (I've linked the full post at the end of this write-up):

Ideas aren’t NFT’s, they don’t pay bills

You have a big idea - it may even change your life, but the honest truth is (and I know you're probably tired of hearing me say this - but) ideas (*alone) can't pay the bills. To my knowledge, NFTs are the only intangible objects that pay bills.

This is also why I've abandoned the build-in-silence approach to growing my business in recent years. Great ideas require action. They must be loud, tangible, and magnetic. You need to build traction, attract attention, be memorable and make an impact.

Moreover, it is not possible to demonstrate this with words alone. Therefore, what is infinitely more valuable than your idea? Your work, your research, your plan, and your expertise.

Start with an MVP

Trying to figure out where to start? Here's my advice. Set aside your ultimate goal for a moment and start with something that requires the least amount of effort, your Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

It's likely that you'll gain valuable insights and learn a lot more than you imagine as you develop your MVP, and you may even build something even more valuable than your original idea.

Ideas are in fact a debt

* stretches fingers in preparation for what will be a very honest moment*

As I read through the post, nothing struck me as much as the following line: "I know how monetarily, mentally, and physically taxing it is to see an idea through." Anyone attempting to build a successful business knows that there is a tremendous amount of sweat, blood and tears involved.

I have never once finished a client session and thought, "wow, what an awesome idea, I'm stealing it" - because, no offence, I truly do not want your ideas. The effort required to make it successful is not something I'm willing to put forth for an idea that isn't my passion (if it were, I would have likely come up with a solution myself, at which point I would have been your competitor and not in this line of work).

Furthermore, there are no get-rich-quick ideas (that aren't, in my opinion, fraudulent). There are costs associated with every idea and those that succeed aren't necessarily the best ideas, but the ones with the best preparation.

So shout it out, build out loud, tell everyone, gather as much support as you can. You'll likely produce a superior final product than a grab-and-go imitation from a copycat without your vision.

I really appreciated this comment, since it highlights why I qualify potential clients and only work with people who are willing to put in the effort. In reality, things are not as pretty as they appear on Instagram or TikTok. Whenever you buy into any idea, product or service, you’re buying into intention, determination and a resolve that’s weathered unimaginable storms.

So, what is the value of an idea you have yet to act on? Less than zero. You’re not even at the starting line darling. Even so, all is not lost, it might be hard, but it's not impossible, and you don't have to go it alone - I'm here for you.

To those of us building, posting, planning and showing up, well done us! It's not easy, but we outchea 👏👏

Until next time my big dreamers, let’s keep smashing it 🚀

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