If we're not careful, we'll end up counting things like we should be counting real money. And while these things should not be considered as bad things, and are actually in themselves good things, the problem arises when they become "counted" instead of the points that really count in business: customers and revenue.  

 

Here's some things we tend to want to count instead of those dollars, but really shouldn't.  

 

Pitch Competitions.  Now let me say this up-front.  Pitch competitions are good.  I am ALL for them.  I have participated in many of them, won them, and even teach how to do them.  You NEED to know how to master this skill if you are going to be a success with an invention, a business, or even in life.  However, I also know how easy it can become to start believing that they are an end unto themselves, and that can be dangerous.  Winning a pitch competition can and will (I know, I've been there) be like throwing gasoline on the fire of your ego.  It's great to win.  But if you begin to tell yourself that "now that you've won" that you have also won the end game of a successful startup, you are fooling yourself, and that can lead you down a path to ironically, failure.  

 

Investors & funding does not mean success.  It only gives you the opportunity to be successful.  Plus there will be strings attached.  Don't kid yourself - you are getting married to these people.  

 

Social media "Likes", "Favorites", "Subscribers", etc., are great.  You want this to boost your audience.  But again, when you start to confuse "Likes" with money, you are headed for scary territory.  I've seen a lot of people who have 100K Likes on Facebook but virtually no business.  Again, it's not a bad thing to have them, and while they can be helpful for getting business, they are not the end-all.  

Want to learn how to keep your eyes on the prize of real customers and revenue?  Here's some ways we can help you :