Will it Fly? By Pat Flynn: Book Summary and Highlights

90/100

I love Pat Flynn, and he strikes again with this must read for any online entrepreneur. 

Highlights from Will it Fly? by Pat Flynn:

Part 1: Mission Design

Highlight (yellow) – 4. The Shark Bait Test > Page 86

I actually found you last week after searching for LEED study guides in Google. I was going to get the USGBC guide but it was a bit pricey, so I searched for other options and found yours. I liked what I saw and the price was right, but more than that I just liked the fact that you’re real. You’re just a guy who took the exam who was where I’m at right now not too long ago. I figured you would have some insider information as a test taker yourself. Keep up the great work! I’ll let you know how I do. —JP

Part 3: Flight Planning

Highlight (yellow) – 12. The Market Map > Page 184

. In the search bar, look for inquiries like: “Product review”“Have you tried”“I bought”“I purchased” These terms will almost always point you to discussion threads where conversations about existing products already exist. If you find them, copy and paste the discussion link into your spreadsheet, as well as the link to the product itself if it isn’t already listed in your spreadsheet.

Highlight (yellow) – 13. The Customer P.L.A.N. > Page 189

You’ve heard me use the word serve several times in this book, and it’s because that’s exactly what you have to do. Your earnings are a byproduct of how well you serve your audience, and you can only best serve your audience when you know exactly who they are, what they’re going through, and what will get them to take action.

Highlight (yellow) – 13. The Customer P.L.A.N. > Page 198

The riches are in the niches, but the fortune is in the follow-up.

Part 4: Flight Simulator

Highlight (yellow) – 16. Principles of Validation > Page 237

“The common model for building products is we have an idea…we go into our workshop to make it…we emerge back into civilization…we shout from the rooftops what we’ve made…we wait and hope we hit the mark and people actually give us money. And sometimes this can work. But sometimes it can lead to a huge flop that could have been prevented. By getting others involved early in the process, you can get actual feedback from real customers and build not what you think they want but what they actually want.”

Highlight (yellow) – Case Study #6: You! > Page 305

There are people in this world that need you, and they are the ones that deserve your time and attention, so focus on serving them, and you will be rewarded down the road.

Part 5: All Systems Go

Highlight (yellow) – 19. Countdown > Page 312

I highly recommend you connect with other entrepreneurs in a formal, consistent manner like in a mastermind group. It’s a topic I’ve spoken about before, so if you’re interested in learning more just head to the following URL: http://www.smartpassiveincome.com/how-to-build-a-winning-mastermind-group/

Short Review

Will it Fly helped me to put to words what I have to offer with my website and business in general.

What I loved most is that the book is full of useful exercises. These exercises, if completed, equip you with the knowledge needed to take action.

I enjoyed the book immensely, and I found it incredibly easy to put into practice. It took me a while to read, but that’s only because I disciplined myself to not move on until the exercise or activity was completed.

The only thing I would change is to offer his worksheets in doc format, as I have no access to a printer and filling in a PDF is a pain. It would have been easier to fill it out via Google docs.

Summary Notes

• Pat encourages the reader to take action throughout on their business goals
• He provides the tools to start from the ground up and identify what you have to offer.
• The early stage exercises provide a quick win to get to know yourself better and to make sure your business idea fits you. I found this to be full of common sense, BUT necessary to complete. The last thing you want to do is start a business that you don’t enjoy right from the get go.
• Determining whether your business idea is sound is a process that starts with you, and ends with testing and validating your idea.
• Pat shares that it always comes back to serving your audience. Steps to do this include asking the right questions, be opening, and trying new things.
• Be real with people and accept feedback.
• Be willing to pivot if your idea doesn’t take off.