YC “New Way” (ship → distribute → learn)
Goal
Turn an idea into a running distribution loop fast (days, not weeks), using the smallest product that can measure real demand.
Workflow (default)
0) Clarify the bet (2 minutes)
Fill this sentence:
- For [who] with [pain], we offer [promise] via [channel], and we’ll know it works when [metric] hits [threshold].
If missing, use references/experiment-brief.md.
1) Pick a narrow wedge
Prefer wedges that are:
- High intent (people already searching/buying)
- Clear objects (SKUs, listings, templates)
- Easy to prove with evidence (links, screenshots, timestamps)
Output:
- 1 primary wedge + 1 backup wedge
- 3 user stories
2) Choose one distribution channel first
Pick exactly one:
- SEO (content library + internal links)
- Newsletter (weekly digest)
- Community (Reddit/Discord/forums) where posting is allowed
Do not build more channels until one shows signal.
3) Ship the smallest MVP that measures
Default MVPs:
- SEO site: 10 pages (2 money pages + 8 support pages)
- Newsletter: 1 issue + signup + archive
- Tool page: 1 calculator/checklist with email capture
Include:
- Clear CTA
- Analytics
- Evidence links (avoid “AI says”)
Use references/landing-page-checklist.md and references/seo-10-page-plan.md.
4) Instrumentation & decision rules
Track only the fewest metrics:
- Traffic → CTA CTR → Outbound clicks → (optional) purchases
- Time to publish / pages per week (throughput)
Define stop/iterate rules:
- If CTR is low → fix promise/copy
- If CTR is high but no conversions → fix offer/price/trust
- If no traffic after 7 days → distribution problem (not product)
Use references/weekly-loop.md.
5) Weekly iteration loop
Every week:
- Double down on 1 thing that worked
- Kill 1 thing that didn’t
- Add 1 new experiment
Keep a changelog; avoid rebuilding.
Output templates (use these verbatim)
- Experiment brief:
references/experiment-brief.md - Landing page checklist:
references/landing-page-checklist.md - SEO 10-page plan:
references/seo-10-page-plan.md - Weekly loop:
references/weekly-loop.md
Guardrails
- Distribution before system: don’t over-automate until there’s signal.
- Evidence-first: recommendations must cite sources.
- Narrow first: one wedge, one channel, one metric.
- Legal/ToS: prefer public sources / allowed APIs; avoid bypassing logins or CAPTCHAs.