Author: Mazlan Abbas

IOT Evangelist

This T.A.R.G.E.T Approach Will Be Your Startup Success Formula

Having a clear and effective strategy is crucial for the success of your Startup.

The T.A.R.G.E.T approach offers a comprehensive framework for entrepreneurs aspiring to establish and grow their startups.

Let’s explore each element of this strategy in detail.

T – Thorough Market Research

The journey of a successful startup begins with thorough market research. Understanding your target audience is not just about knowing their age or location, but delving into their behaviors, needs, and challenges.

Analysing competitors is equally important; it helps in identifying what sets your product or service apart.

This phase is critical for validating your business idea and ensuring that there is a market demand for what you’re offering.

Thorough market research involves surveys, interviews, and using tools like SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats).

This research not only guides your product development but also shapes your marketing strategy.

A – Agile Development and Adaptability

Agility in business means being able to respond quickly to market changes, customer feedback, and new technological advancements.

For startups, this adaptability can be a significant edge. It allows you to iterate your product or service quickly based on real-world feedback, reducing the time and resources spent on less effective strategies.

Agile development is not just about speed; it’s about responsiveness and flexibility.

It involves breaking down projects into smaller, manageable segments, enabling quicker adjustments and more efficient use of resources.

R – Robust Financial Planning

Financial health is the backbone of any startup. A robust financial plan includes clear budgeting, accurate financial projections, and a strategy for funding.

This plan serves as a roadmap for managing your financial resources effectively.

Startups should be prepared for both best-case and worst-case scenarios.

This means having a clear understanding of your burn rate (the rate at which you’re spending cash) and a plan for achieving profitability.

Securing investments, whether through venture capital, angel investors, or crowdfunding, also requires a solid financial plan that demonstrates the potential for growth and return on investment.

G – Goal-Oriented Strategy

Setting clear, realistic goals is vital for guiding your startup’s journey. These goals should align with your business vision and be broken down into specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) objectives.

A goal-oriented strategy also involves regular reviews and adjustments.

This helps in maintaining focus and aligning your team’s efforts with the overall business objectives.

It’s also essential to celebrate small wins along the way, as they build morale and momentum.

E – Exceptional Customer Experience

In today’s competitive market, offering an exceptional customer experience can set your startup apart.

This involves understanding and meeting your customers’ expectations, resolving their issues promptly, and going above and beyond to deliver value.

Creating a positive customer experience leads to customer loyalty, repeat business, and referrals, all of which are crucial for the growth and sustainability of your startup.

Actively seeking customer feedback and incorporating it into your business practices is a great way to continuously improve your customer experience.

T – Teamwork and Talent Acquisition

Your team is your startup’s greatest asset.

Building a team with diverse skills, experiences, and perspectives is crucial.

Each team member should share in the startup’s vision and be committed to its success.

Investing in talent acquisition means not just hiring skilled individuals but also nurturing their growth.

This involves creating a supportive, collaborative work environment and providing opportunities for professional development.

Remember, a motivated and skilled team is instrumental in driving innovation and achieving business goals.

Focus on Your T.A.R.G.E.T

The T.A.R.G.E.T approach provides a structured and holistic framework for building a successful startup.

By focusing on Thorough Market Research, Agile Development, Robust Financial Planning, Goal-Oriented Strategy, Exceptional Customer Experience, and Teamwork and Talent Acquisition, entrepreneurs can navigate the challenges of the startup world more effectively.

This approach emphasizes the importance of adaptability, strategic planning, customer-centricity, and team dynamics in the journey of a startup.

By adhering to these principles, entrepreneurs can not only survive but thrive in the competitive business landscape, turning their startup vision into a sustainable and successful enterprise.

I have written many short stories of my entrepreneurial journey in my latest eBook – Startup Survival.

Avoid These 10 Mistakes and Become a Better Writer in 2024

Image created using Midjourney by Author of Startup Journey

I have written over 100 articles in 2023, but over 80% had at most ten views.

It’s sad, and it’s tiring.

We write to share our ideas and knowledge among our readers.

In the early part of the year, I had almost zero increase in followers.

As 2023 ended, I took a step back and analyzed what had gone wrong.

Here’s a list of mistakes I will not repeat next year, and you can probably try to avoid doing that, too.

Writing Mistakes I Made in 2023

  1. Lack of Emotional Depth in Writing: I often wrote mechanically, neglecting to infuse my work with genuine passion or emotion, which made my writing seem detached and unengaging.
  2. Focus on Knowledge Rather Than Problem-Solving: My topics were heavily knowledge-oriented, lacking opportunities to address and solve real-life problems that could have added more value to the readers.
  3. Failure to Connect with the Audience: I chose topics that did not resonate with my readers, resulting in a disconnect between my content and the interests or needs of my audience.
  4. Neglecting the Power of Headlines and SEO: I should have noticed the importance of crafting catchy, attention-grabbing headlines and optimizing my content for search engines, which limited my reach and visibility.
  5. Overly Complex Sentences: My writing often included long-winded, complex sentences, which made the content difficult to follow and less reader-friendly.
  6. Superficial Engagement with Fellow Writers: My interactions with other writers needed more sincerity and depth, preventing me from building meaningful connections and learning from my peers.
  7. Unstrategic Republishing of Old Content: I randomly republished old articles from various blogs without a strategic plan or updates, which didn’t add fresh value or relevance to the content.
  8. Not Keeping Up with Trending Topics: I failed to research and analyze hot, popular topics in my field, missing out on riding the wave of trending content that could have attracted more readers.
  9. Shortage of Practical “How-To” Guides: My content lacked practical, step-by-step “How-To” guides, essential for providing actionable advice and solutions to readers.
  10. Inconsistent Sharing of Personal Writing Experiences: I did not regularly share personal stories about my writing experiences, including failures and achievements, which could have made my journey more relatable and inspiring to others.

The above might not be an extensive list, but it is undoubtedly a list of mistakes I should avoid.

How about you?

View at Medium.com

Image created using Midjourney by Author of Startup Journey

If you are interested in my startup entrepreneurial journey, check out my latest eBook.

Why You Should Not Give Up Writing When No One is Reading Your Articles

The image was created using Midjourney by Author of Startup Journey.

I almost gave up writing on Medium when virtually all my posts had no views or responses.

Not a single comment or clap.

As much as I tried posting daily and cracking my head, what topics should I write?

I focused on my passion — writing topics about my entrepreneurship journey. It’s easier to write because it’s based on my personal experience.

I even posted more than once daily. Although many have advised me to continue posting daily for 30 days, I still need something else. Why?

As I scratched my head, I tried to be more engaging with the rest of the writers on Medium — leaving comments and giving a lot of claps.

Although it works… slowly gaining more audience and followers, it still has not reached my expectations.

I wonder why others can immediately get 100s of followers within a short period.

Why is Medium boosting some of the articles but not mine?

Why is there only a trickling audience reading my articles?

What have I done wrong?

As I got more frustrated, checking the traffic statistics almost every hour and finding out that there was not much change — I began to feel very tired and hopeless.

I began to wonder whether my writing needed more quality or whether the topics I wrote about had no niche.

But again, the topics of entrepreneurship are popular with other writers, but why not mine?

The image was created using Midjourney by Author of Startup Journey.

Many times, I began to have the feeling of giving up.

But before giving up, I decided to take a short break from writing and focus more on analysis.

I began to read other people’s articles and analyze why they could get boosted and more engaged.

I returned to writing with a few more suggestions and improved my weaknesses.

This is what I did, and it has given me a lot of improvement in my articles and engagement:

  • Writing with emotion: Instead of writing endlessly, I write based on my emotions. Writing down my feelings throughout my journey. In this way, the writing will resonate with like-minded entrepreneurs, too.
  • Focused on other niches: I started to mix my topics besides entrepreneurship. One reason is to see the reaction from my followers or medium readers. For example, I began to write topics about my experience, reporting on Medium and journaling my progress. The statistics immediately have a big jump when I write these other topics.
  • Creating better headlines: I must admit that I am weak in making catchy headlines, but as I looked at other author’s examples, I began to mimic their way of creating headlines. Voila! It works!
  • Short bite articles: People prefer to read shorter sentences. I also want to use short sentences. It’s easier to read, and it’s full of emotion. Changing this strategy indeed has given better engagement. Some readers don’t prefer heavy stuff with so many facts. Sometimes, they like easy reading materials.
  • Engage with readers: When the articles involve the readers and even give them something to comment on, such as asking for their feedback or asking a question, it will provide an opportunity for better engagement.
  • Longer than 3-minute articles: This is important if you want to monetize your articles. I will have a better chance for the reading time to be beyond the standard 30-second rule. Take note: even though you have written a 3-minute article, the reader will typically skip most of the writing and focus more on particular portions. You must find ways to ensure the reader stops and reads for at least 30 seconds.

With the above improvements, I noticed a big jump in my views, follower counts, and engagements.

Thus, I decided to return to my Medium writing and not give up.

Success doesn’t come easy — it requires true grit and persistence.

The image was created using Midjourney by Author of Startup Journey.

If you would also like to learn about my entrepreneurship journey, check out the two eBooks I recently launched this month — (1) Startup Survival: The Journey of a Tech Entrepreneur (2) IoT Frontier: Insights and Innovations in Malaysia and Beyond.

View at Medium.com

My Top 5 Medium Articles on Startup Tips for November 2023

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

Here is a compilation of the top 5 Startup Tips articles, which I considered my November month favorite:

(1) How much should you pay yourself?

Christoph Janz’s article in “Point Nine Land,” titled “How much should you pay yourself? Introducing the Founder Salary Calculator 2023,” offers an insightful update to his previous model on founder compensation.

Having partnered with Figures, a leading compensation benchmarking platform in Europe, Janz enriches his model with data from over 1000 startups and tech companies. Using 728 data points, this updated calculator provides a nuanced view of founder salaries across stages and locations in Europe, factoring in aspects like cost of living and market costs.

Additionally, it addresses the gender pay gap, albeit with limited data for female founders. The article stands out for its practical approach and data-driven insights, making it a valuable resource for founders seeking guidance on compensation.

View at Medium.com

(2) Apparently, Most Entrepreneurs Don’t Understand the Real Purpose of Venture Capital

Aaron Dinin’s article in “The Startup,” titled “Apparently, Most Entrepreneurs Don’t Understand the Real Purpose of Venture Capital,” offers a profound insight into entrepreneurs’ misconceptions about fundraising.

Dinin, through a conversation with a founder, illustrates the critical difference between linear and exponential growth, emphasizing that venture capitalists seek exponential (‘hockey stick’) growth due to its higher returns on investment.

He elucidates that venture capital is not a one-size-fits-all solution and should be sought only when necessary. The article is a stark reminder that venture capital is a means to an end, not the end itself, and should be approached with a clear understanding of its purpose and implications.

View at Medium.com

(3) What I Look for in Founders and Startups as an Angel Investor

Paul Zhao’s article in “The Startup,” titled “What I Look for in Founders and Startups as an Angel Investor,” provides a rich, insightful look into the mind of an experienced investor.

Drawing from his own entrepreneurial journey and extensive experience in evaluating startups, Zhao emphasizes the importance of clear, concise communication from founders, the necessity of defining what a startup will not do, the value of showing the practical movement of ideas, and the importance of learning from what didn’t work.

His approach is pragmatic and deeply rooted in the real-world demands of startup success. Zhao’s perspective is precious for founders in the B2B space, offering them a detailed guide on how to impress potential investors and secure funding.

His advice underscores the importance of strategic planning, efficient communication, and the ability to adapt based on feedback, making it a must-read for any aspiring entrepreneur.

View at Medium.com

(4) The Real Reason Why Starting a Company is Harder Than You Think

Aaron Dinin’s “Entrepreneur’s Handbook” article titled “The Real Reason Why Starting a Company is Harder Than You Think” delves into the complexities and mental barriers budding entrepreneurs face. Through a conversation with a young founder, Dinin explores the dichotomy of naivety in entrepreneurship — how being too naive can propel and hinder a startup’s journey.

He argues that naivety can be a driving force, allowing entrepreneurs to pursue ventures that more experienced individuals might overlook. However, this naivety diminishes with experience, leading to more calculated decisions in future ventures.

Dinin’s perspective offers a nuanced understanding of the entrepreneurial mindset, emphasizing the importance of embracing naivety and recognizing its eventual decline. This article is insightful for aspiring entrepreneurs, highlighting the psychological challenges of starting a company and the evolution of entrepreneurial thinking.

View at Medium.com

(5) The pitch deck template is dead. Introducing — The Pitch Cycle.

In “The Pitch Cycle,” Moti Elkaim challenges the conventional wisdom of using a standard pitch deck template for startups seeking investment. Elkaim argues that a more dynamic approach is necessary to capture and maintain investor interest in a market where assets are scarcer.

He introduces the four-part pitch cycle, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and creating a personal connection with investors. This cycle includes capturing the imagination, raising the opportunity, driving the business argument, and tactfully asking for investment.

Elkaim’s approach prioritizes engaging the investor’s attention and interest over traditional presentation methods. His insights are particularly relevant in today’s competitive and uncertain investment landscape, making this a valuable read for entrepreneurs looking to stand out in their fundraising efforts.

View at Medium.com

Finally I Published an eBook Which I Procrastinated for 2 Years

As a writer and IoT enthusiast, my journey has been filled with constant learning and evolving ideas. In November 2021, I found myself at a crossroads with a burning desire to write another e-book on the Internet of Things (IoT).

My earlier works, “Your IoT Journey” and “IoT Notes,” had seen considerable success with 815 and 1445 downloads, respectively. They started as paid content but soon became freely available to share knowledge widely.

The plan was to write “IoT Adventure,” a deep dive into the business side of IoT, drawing from my own experiences in IoT entrepreneurship. This e-book was envisioned to cover numerous aspects – from finding the right business niche in IoT to marketing strategies and growth models.

I was excited to share my lessons and successes, aiming to guide new entrepreneurs in navigating the vast IoT landscape.

However, as I delved deeper into the writing process, I realized that my perspective and narrative shifted.

My experiences and insights were not just about the business of IoT but also about the broader implications and innovations in this field, particularly in Malaysia and beyond. This realization led to a significant change in my plan.

Instead of “IoT Adventure,” I have written a different book titled “IoT Frontier: Insights and Innovations in Malaysia and Beyond.”

This new book is a narration of my entrepreneurial journey and a comprehensive exploration of the IoT landscape, including groundbreaking innovations, emerging trends, and unique insights specific to Malaysia and the global context.

“IoT Frontier” is more than a guide; it’s a testament to the ever-evolving nature of IoT and its impact on our world.

It delves into critical questions, explores emerging technologies, and examines the role of IoT in driving innovation and solving real-world problems.

This book is a culmination of my experiences, learnings, and a vision for the future of IoT.

I invite you, my readers, to embark on this new journey with me. Your thoughts, experiences, and insights are invaluable, and I hope “IoT Frontier” will inform and inspire a collaborative dialogue that can propel the IoT ecosystem forward.

Together, let’s explore the frontiers of IoT and discover what lies beyond the horizon.

My Top 10 Medium Articles in October

Photo by Maddi Bazzocco on Unsplash

Here is the list of my most popular Medium articles in October 2023:

(1) How I Managed to Get 6,000% Audience Growth in 2 Months

Experiencing a significant jump in Medium followers, I’ve seen a growth of over 6,000%, from 1 to 68 followers. This change, though numerically small, is encouraging for someone who previously saw no gain for years, likely due to a lack of engagement.

My recent strategy includes posting almost daily, sometimes repurposing content from my other blogs, and actively engaging with others’ posts through comments and ‘claps.’

This interaction has led to increased visibility and more followers. While my goal is to gain ten followers daily, currently averaging about five, this progress, albeit slow, validates the effectiveness of my efforts.

View at Medium.com

(2) I Asked ChatGPT How to Grow My Startup Using Steve Jobs Principles

Seeking guidance from ChatGPT and inspired by Steve Jobs, here’s a condensed strategy for Favoriot’s IoT success: Embrace simplicity in design, creating intuitive and minimalist IoT solutions.

Build a seamless ecosystem by ensuring compatibility and forming industry partnerships. Champion innovation, encouraging out-of-the-box thinking and prioritizing R&D. Focus on delivering exceptional customer experiences, constantly improving based on feedback.

Develop a distinctive brand identity, communicating Favoriot’s value through various marketing channels. Prioritize security and privacy in product design. Commit to continuous product improvement and integration of new features.

Embrace vertical integration for quality control and innovation speed. Attract and retain top talent, fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented culture.

Lastly, dare to take calculated risks, challenge conventional wisdom, adapt to change, and keep a long-term vision for sustained growth and success in the IoT field.

View at Medium.com

(3) How I Grew My Mailing List with the Help of eBooks

Starting a mailing list early is a widely recommended strategy for authors. I employed this by writing two eBooks on the Internet of Things (IoT), offering them as free downloads.

This approach significantly boosted my subscriber base, attracting over 3,000 email subscribers. The first eBook, “IoT Notes,” provides a comprehensive understanding of IoT, its applications, business models, protocols, and tools, enhancing proficiency in IoT engineering.

The second, “Your IoT Journey,” delves into IoT challenges, market segmentation, cloud services, monetization strategies, and implications for smart cities and the job market. These eBooks provide valuable insights into IoT and its role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, tailored for those eager to navigate this evolving domain.

View at Medium.com

(4) Startup Synergy: The Alchemy of Building a Dream Team

Starting my entrepreneurial journey in 2017, I quickly learned the critical role of team building in a startup’s success. Initially, we had professionals from corporate backgrounds; some adapted well to the startup’s fluid environment, while others struggled, leading to necessary departures.

This experience taught me the importance of aligning team members with the startup’s ethos. We discovered that agility is critical in a startup, challenging those used to rigid processes.

For product development, both technical skill and passion are essential. Evident, transparent communication became vital, allowing us to effectively leverage each member’s strengths.

Acknowledging achievements and providing constructive feedback kept our team motivated. Building a successful team is like orchestrating a symphony, with each unique talent contributing to the overall harmony.

This journey of team dynamics in a startup is ongoing, marked by resilience, adaptability, and the power of unity, guiding us toward realizing our ambitions.

View at Medium.com

(5) 10 Killer Topics That Make a Blog Go Viral

In blogging, specific topics consistently draw more readers and engagement. Practical how-to guides on various subjects are always popular for their actionable advice.

Blogs about making money online, such as freelancing or e-commerce, attract considerable interest in today’s digital era. Posts offering social media growth hacks are in demand, as are articles on monetizing content on platforms like Medium.

Insightful pieces on pitching to investors, startup success stories, and avoiding common entrepreneurial mistakes engage aspiring entrepreneurs.

Marketing strategies remain a hot topic, alongside blogs on fast-tracking wealth and personal development. While trending topics can enhance readership, authentic writing aligned with one’s passion is vital to genuinely connecting with an audience.

View at Medium.com

(6) The Power of Personal Connection

While online engagement is crucial in the digital age, Favoriot’s experience shows that traditional face-to-face interactions at events like expos are invaluable.

Personal interactions at these events foster trust and understanding, offering real-time questions and demonstrations.

Speaking at conferences establishes authority, but the expo floor allows more spontaneous interactions with a diverse audience. Demonstrating products in person at an expo stand can sway prospective clients’ decisions. Expos also concentrate on potential clients, turning every conversation into a business opportunity.

Partnering with MDEC at the Smart Nation Expo 2023 amplified Favoriot’s visibility. The post-expo period often results in valuable collaborations and client relationships, underscoring the enduring power of in-person connections in complementing digital strategies.

View at Medium.com

(7) My Most Important Milestone in Medium — How I Earned My 1st Dollar Towards My Next $100K

Earning $6.35 on Medium in October 2023 felt like winning the lottery, marking a significant milestone from my first dollar. I joined the Medium Partner Program in September 2023, transitioning from casual technology write-ups to serious writing.

This was a significant change from my routine since joining Medium in December 2015. The surge in Generative AI articles in early 2023, mainly about ChatGPT and Midjourney, sparked my curiosity, leading me to join the paid Partner Program.

My goal was to make my subscription self-sustaining through my writing. Success came in just a month, earning enough to cover the cost. This achievement, driven by consistent writing, engaging with readers, catchy titles, and growing my subscriber list, has been a learning curve, guiding me to focus on longer articles for better monetization. This journey is a testament to the potential of persistence and adaptation in content creation.

View at Medium.com

(8) The Ultimate ChatGPT Cheat Sheet — Mazlan Abbas

ChatGPT, a rapidly growing AI chatbot, reached 100 million users within two months, making it one of the fastest-growing consumer apps ever.

Developed by OpenAI and based on the GPT-3 language model, ChatGPT is adept at producing human-like text responses. Trained on a vast corpus of internet text, it can generate intelligent, friendly replies.

Despite its popularity, ChatGPT has limitations, including potential inaccuracies and misleading information, prompting caution in its use for critical matters. OpenAI offers a paid subscription, ChatGPT Plus, for enhanced features like faster responses and priority access while maintaining a free version.

View at Medium.com

(9) The Myth of Overnight Success: The Inspirational Story of Colonel Sanders and KFC

Colonel Harland Sanders’ journey to founding KFC at 62 challenges the belief that success must come early. This narrative overlooks his decades of experience in the food industry, highlighting that his success wasn’t overnight but the result of lifelong perseverance and skill development.

Unlike many who started from scratch, Sanders had a renowned secret recipe and solid foundation. His story, while unique, shares common entrepreneurial themes of resilience, determination, and adaptability.

For aspiring entrepreneurs, Sanders exemplifies that it’s never too late to pursue dreams, underscoring that the essence of entrepreneurship lies in the journey, learning, and passion rather than just the destination.

View at Medium.com

(10) Adapt or Die — Lessons of Pivoting in Startups

Our startup’s journey through three IoT products taught us the importance of adaptability in entrepreneurship. The first, a smartwatch for seniors, became obsolete due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Our second attempt at smart city solutions struggled with slow customer adoption. Similarly, our fourth product, Dscover, a consumer app, could have engaged enterprise clients more effectively. These experiences highlighted the need for agility and responding to market dynamics.

The critical lesson is aligning products with customer needs and market trends, emphasizing resilience and a customer-centric approach as essential for navigating the competitive startup ecosystem.

View at Medium.com

[eBook] IoT Frontier: Insights and Innovations in Malaysia and Beyond by Mazlan Abbas

Why You Should Read This eBook

“IoT Frontier: Insights and Innovations in Malaysia and Beyond” serves as a seminal exploration of the interplay between technology and daily life, placing special emphasis on the Internet of Things (IoT) — a cornerstone of contemporary innovation reshaping global industries, urban landscapes, and day-to-day living.

Entering the year 2024, the book captures the essence of an ongoing digital renaissance, primarily propelled by IoT advancements. It offers an in-depth look at these developments, particularly highlighting Malaysia’s role in the narrative, which acts as a crucial case study for IoT’s influence in emerging economies.

In the first section, “IoT Foundations and Future Visions,” the book establishes a baseline understanding of IoT’s present status and its expansive future potential. It delves into the skills necessary for capitalizing on IoT and scrutinizes its integral role in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Furthermore, it addresses the burgeoning ethical considerations in AI, pivotal as we progress towards increasingly intelligent solutions.

The second section provides a comprehensive analysis of Malaysia’s IoT sector, enriched with case studies and broader trend insights. It showcases how IoT solutions have been effectively applied in real-world scenarios, such as managing the Ammonia Gas Leak at the PJ Ice Factory, thereby illustrating IoT’s practical utility.

The third section focuses on the intricacies of IoT platforms, with a particular lens on Favoriot, a leading name in the IoT industry. This part is crafted to aid enthusiasts, developers, and enterprises in making informed choices about IoT platform selection and use.

Sections IV and V take the reader through IoT’s transformative effects in specific fields such as industry, agriculture, and city planning, highlighting the revolution brought about by IoT in these sectors through groundbreaking solutions and smart technologies.

The book then expands its scope in Sections VI to VIII, exploring IoT’s applications in consumer and health markets, confronting the challenges in IoT deployment, and emphasizing the importance of IoT education and training. These chapters underline the versatility of IoT applications and the hurdles encountered in their implementation.

In Sections IX and X, the book delves into the synergy between IoT and AI and offers strategic business insights within the IoT sphere, providing a foresight into a future shaped by these interwoven technologies.

The penultimate section presents exclusive interviews with industry leaders, offering rare insights, while the final section takes a global perspective, examining worldwide IoT initiatives and their implications.

“IoT Frontier: Insights and Innovations in Malaysia and Beyond” is not merely a book; it is an extensive expedition through the IoT landscape. It aims to provide a holistic understanding of IoT’s potential, challenges, and future direction, catering to students, professionals, entrepreneurs, and IoT aficionados alike.

You can download the preview/sample ebook – HERE.

How I Created Online Money Making Machines

The image was created using Midjourney by the Author of Startup Journey.

I have been online for many years and have yet to take seriously if I could make money online. I tried but was never that successful.

Finally, in 2023, I have a target to monetize my online activities. Instead of trying on one channel, I tried a few.

Here are some of them.

E-Commerce Marketplace

I wanted to sell some merchandise such as T-shirts or mugs. Finally, I chose Redbubble to do just that.

Slowly but surely, it started to get noticed, and some people bought shirts and other merchandise.

https://www.redbubble.com/people/mazlan/shop

I may use AI tools such as Midjourney to create better designs. I will update this progress very soon.

Blogs

The easiest way is to use Medium.

And I started to monetize it in October 2023.

The image was created using Midjourney by the Author of Startup Journey.

View at Medium.com

I will use other Blogs, such as Mazlan Abbas’s and IoT World blogs, to attract traffic to my other channels.

View at Medium.comView at Medium.com

X (Formerly Twitter)

Since I have subscribed as a Premium X user, I aimed to monetize the tweets via ads, but I need to have had at least 5 million views for the last three months.

The 5 Million views was a challenging target, but I finally managed to get it last month, and eventually, I can monetize my Tweets.

This is my X handle (@mazlan_abbas)

The image was created using Midjourney by the Author of Startup Journey.

Ebooks

I have turned several of my articles into eBooks, which have now become a money earner.

IoT Notes is excellent for students and lecturers because it explains IoT using cartoons, images, and hand drawings.

View at Medium.com

Startup Survival: The Journey of a Tech Entrepreneur is one of my latest ebooks about my journey in entrepreneurship and the failures and successes I faced during the six years. A lot of Startup tips can be found here.

View at Medium.com

This eBook entitled IoT Frontier was released yesterday. It covers the aspects of IoT, especially in Malaysia and beyond, with examples of different applications and the tools that you need to develop an IoT project.

View at Medium.com

The image was created using Midjourney by the Author of Startup Journey.

Don’t Depend on One Revenue Stream

Create several revenue streams and monitor which ones that are successful.

There’s no such passive income. Most of them require hard work, especially at the start.

You need to update and publicize them continuously.

Keep the channels active or ensure they’re always in the customers’ minds.

Be active on social media to drive traffic back to the channels.

Finally I Have Launched My Startup Survival Book!

The book cover was created using Canva by the Author of Startup Journey.

I have been procrastinating on launching my digital product for nearly a year.

I have targeted to launch a book on IoT, but somehow, things have changed – I published a Startup journey instead.

What encouraged me to publish this is when I read so many articles from Medium about their digital products.

If they can, why not me?

The book is destined to launch on Jan 1, 2024 however, I decided to do it much earlier (Dec. 3, 2023).

Check the below preface if you are interested in getting one.

Book Preface

In this preface, I invite you on a journey that began with a single step into the unknown realm of Silicon Valley and expanded into a voyage across the vast ocean of the Internet of Things (IoT). It is a tale not just of technology and innovation but of personal growth, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of a vision.

Part 1: The Awakening unveils the transition from a techie to an entrepreneur. It chronicles the birth of our first IoT product designed to enhance the lives of senior citizens and delves into the struggles and successes of monetizing cutting-edge technology. This section is a candid exposition of the thrills and tribulations accompanying the early stages of a Startup’s life.

Part 2: The Evolution details the maturation of our venture, Favorsense, amidst the fiercely competitive market. It is a story of navigating through the turbulent waters of the IoT industry, marked by early missteps, eventual milestones, and the philosophical underpinnings that propelled our venture forward.

Part 3: Expansion and Growth reflect on scaling our enterprise with limited resources. Here, I share our exploration of diverse sectors – academia, industry, and government – and the invaluable insights they offered. This part also touches on the creative lulls and the investment of faith and funds into our dreams.

Part 4: Navigating Success chronicles the strategic moves towards the acquisition and the harmonious blend of academic rigor with entrepreneurial zeal. It is a testament to the hard-earned lessons in building products and the joys of witnessing a startup blossom.

Part 5: The Mastery explores the nuances of team dynamics, revealing how my fourth IoT product was a pivotal turning point. It stresses the importance of adaptability and the critical role of product-market fit in the survival and success of a startup.

Part 6: Perseverance and Innovation is a homage to the grit required to overcome a startup’s myriad challenges. It uncovers the stories behind product failures and the resilience needed to navigate a global crisis while fine-tuning the pricing of our products.

Part 7: Personal Growth and Strategy delves into every entrepreneur’s self-discovery journey. It discusses the individuality of the entrepreneurial experience, the quest for recognition, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect investor pitch.

Part 8: Branding and Marketing highlights the lessons learned in branding and marketing with a lean budget. It shares insights into the personal branding intertwined with the company’s image and the real-world lessons from business dealings.

Part 9: Reflection and Insights offers a retrospective look at why some entrepreneurs reach the pinnacle of success while others falter. It brings forward the collective wisdom gained from both the startup community and the giants of the industry.

Part 10: Building Foundations closes the narrative by emphasizing the importance of community support, the strategic use of mailing lists, brand building on a shoestring budget, and the diversification of revenue streams.

This book is more than a compilation of entrepreneurial lessons; it is a mosaic of experiences, a beacon for aspiring innovators, and a testament to the power of a shared dream. It is dedicated to the team at Favoriot, whose dedication and innovation have shaped not just the company but also the very future of IoT. Welcome to our story.

Get the book – HERE!

The image was created using Canva by the Author of Startup Journey.

Startup Survival: The Journey of a Tech Entrepreneur (Book)

Preface

In this book, I invite you on a journey—a journey that began with a single step into the unknown realm of Silicon Valley and expanded into a voyage across the vast ocean of the Internet of Things (IoT). It is a tale not just of technology and innovation, but of personal growth, perseverance, and the relentless pursuit of a vision.

Part 1: The Awakening unveils the transition from a techie to an entrepreneur. It chronicles the birth of our first IoT product designed to enhance the lives of senior citizens and delves into the struggles and successes of monetizing cutting-edge technology. This section is a candid exposition of the thrills and tribulations that accompany the early stages of a Startup’s life.

Part 2: The Evolution details the maturation of our venture, Favorsense, amidst the fiercely competitive market. It is a story of navigating through the turbulent waters of the IoT industry, marked by early missteps and eventual milestones, and the philosophical underpinnings that propelled our venture forward.

Part 3: Expansion and Growth reflects on the scaling of our enterprise with limited resources. Here, I share our exploration of diverse sectors—academia, industry, and government—and the invaluable insights they offered. This part also touches on the creative lulls and the investment of faith and funds into our dream.

Part 4: Navigating Success chronicles the strategic moves towards acquisition and the harmonious blend of academic rigour with entrepreneurial zeal. It is a testament to the hard-earned lessons in building products and the joys of witnessing a startup blossom.

Part 5: The Mastery is where the nuances of team dynamics are explored, revealing how my fourth IoT product was a pivotal turning point. It stresses the importance of adaptability and the critical role of product-market fit in the survival and success of a startup.

Part 6: Perseverance and Innovation is a homage to the grit required to overcome the myriad challenges a Startup faces. It uncovers the stories behind product failures and the resilience needed to navigate a global crisis while fine-tuning the pricing of our products.

Part 7: Personal Growth and Strategy delves into the self-discovery journey every entrepreneur undergoes. It discusses the individuality of the entrepreneurial experience, the quest for recognition, and the relentless pursuit of the perfect investor pitch.

Part 8: Branding and Marketing highlights the lessons learned in branding and marketing with a lean budget. It shares insights into the personal branding intertwined with the company’s image and the real-world lessons gleaned from business dealings.

Part 9: Reflection and Insights offers a retrospective look at why some entrepreneurs reach the pinnacle of success while others falter. It brings forward the collective wisdom gained from both the startup community and the giants of the industry.

Part 10: Building Foundations closes the narrative by emphasizing the importance of community support, the strategic use of mailing lists, brand building on a shoestring budget, and the diversification of revenue streams.

This book is more than a compilation of entrepreneurial lessons; it is a mosaic of experiences, a beacon for aspiring innovators, and a testament to the power of a shared dream. It is dedicated to the team at Favoriot, whose dedication and innovation have not just shaped a company, but also the very future of IoT. Welcome to our story.

Get the book – HERE!

You can download the preview/sample book – HERE.