bullseye-traction-channelslisted

# Bullseye — Find the One Traction Channel That Works ## Overview From *Traction* (Weinberg & Mares, 2014): most startups die from **lack of distribution, not product**, and they fail because they over-invest in one favored channel instead of systematically testing across all of them. The Bullseye framework cycles through **19 traction channels** (SEO, content, paid, virality, sales, partnerships, community, PR, events, etc.), runs cheap tests, and concentrates on the one channel that is currently working. ## When to Use - No repeatable customer-acquisition channel yet - Effort sunk into one channel out of habit/comfort - Reallocating a limited growth budget ## The Process 1. **Brainstorm all 19 channels** — a realistic idea for each, including ones you'd dismiss. *Gate: skipping "unlikely" channels is how you miss the one that works.* 2. **Rank into three rings:** inner (promising now), middle (possible), outer (long shots). 3. **Run cheap parallel tests** on the inner ring — small, time-boxed, with a target CAC/response bar defined up front. 4. **Read the data, not your preference** — which test hit the bar? 5. **Pick one channel and focus** — double down on the single working channel; ignore the rest for now. *Gate: spreading across 3+ channels pre-fit = none get enough to work.* 6. **Re-run when the channel saturates** — channels decay; cycle Bullseye again. ## Applying It Well - Test to a pre-set success bar so results are decisive, not vibes. - One working channel i