If you’re writing a book about tech startups, are you in Author mode or Founder mode?
I chose Founder mode:
Founder mode is a term used and popularized by Y Combinator co-founder Paul Graham. It describes a specific kind of leadership in which a founder has a direct, hands-on approach to their company rather than breaking up and delegating responsibility through a top-down structure. Often cited examples of leaders embodying founder mode include Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, and Jensen Huang. (Source: Wikipedia)
For me, Founder mode as an author meant doing everything myself: managing edits, building a custom e-reader for the book, and figuring out the intricacies of Amazon publishing — all while collaborating with 30+ expert contributors, designers, editors, beta readers, and reviewers. At every step, I was the one ultimately accountable.
In tech, “996” describes the rhythm of 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — a schedule many AI startups in San Francisco embrace today (it even made The New York Times last weekend). That was my mode too… though if I’m honest, the last six weeks looked a lot more like 997… As soon as I publish this post, I’m stepping away from the keyboard and going for a long walk. 😉
Q&A with the Writer/Founder
Last night, I pushed the book to production (aka submitted it for Amazon Kindle Review). It feels like the right moment to pause and reflect on the past three months. Here’s an FAQ.
Was it worth it?
Totally. But the last 6 weeks were rough.
Would I do it again?
Ask me once I’ve had a chance to come up for air. 😅
Why did I do it?
To create a bold, practical, and proven guide for every AI startup founder and marketing leader — a resource to move from idea to adoption to revenue with an 18-element framework divided into vision, strategy, and execution.
Building a product is hard. Getting people to notice is harder.
This book is your trusted companion. Through real-world examples, case studies, and insights from 30+ top operators, it shows how effective marketing can unlock growth.
Who is it for?
It’s a hands-on guide for:
- Startup founders: shortcut to clarity under pressure.
- Marketing executives: gut check to align teams and accelerate growth.
Why should I read it?
You’ll learn how to apply three timeless axioms of marketing to:
- Position with scientific precision so value is unmistakable.
- Use storytelling to connect emotionally before the rational pitch.
- Build consistency, so every touchpoint compounds trust.
- Turn AI companions into marketing superpowers.
What Readers Are Saying
“Too many startups try to be all things to all people. The Marketing Plan for Tech Startups shows why that fails and offers practical advice to acquire customers and scale growth. I’m calling all founders: this is a must-read.”
— Jeanine Banks, Investor and VP of Developer X, Google
“As a startup CMO, this framework was a timely gut check. It helped me tie up loose ends and drive alignment, so the team could focus on what really matters.”
— Scott Buchanan, CMO, Stacklok
“Justyna Bak reframes milestones as moments to validate assumptions and recalibrate risks. That perspective alone can save startups months of wasted effort.”
— Susan Schramm, Founder, Go-to-Market Impact
“Marketing Plan for Tech Startups is terrific. I’d recommend it to any founder or marketing leader who wants a plan that actually works.”
— Richard Seroter, Chief Evangelist, Google Cloud
“The strongest, most lasting customer loyalty starts with a company’s own identity. This book makes that path clear.”
— Filippo Rocca, CEO, Subbyx
Where To Get The Book
The official launch date is the beginning of TECH WEEK by a16z — Monday, October 6th, 2025
But you don’t have to wait. You can get an early preview through my custom e-reader (yes, the one I vibe-coded in Vercel and GitHub Spark).
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-i-vibe-coded-my-own-e-reader-github-spark-justyna-bak-co9te
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