ChatGPT, Sora, Operator, and the brand new picture generator are cool, however they don’t seem to be probably the most spectacular issues OpenAI has carried out.
Earlier than you have got me dedicated, hear me out. 😩
These merchandise are AMAZING. Personally, they’ve improved my workflow and unlocked efficiencies that finally led to extra income.
So, what’s probably the most spectacular factor that no one’s speaking about? Absolutely the masterclass that’s OpenAI’s Go-to-Market technique. 🙌
The truth is, on March 31, 2025, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, introduced that ChatGPT gained a million new customers in only one hour, pushed by excessive demand for its newly launched picture technology function.
On this article, we can’t speak about benchmarks or what number of gazillion information factors had been used to construct a big language mannequin.
We’re going deep into OpenAI’s Go-to-Market technique. (GTM) 🤓☝️
For those who’re new to my work, my title is Lester, however be at liberty to name me Les. I am a founder with a profitable exit, government chairman of a number of DTC manufacturers, and an award-winning efficiency marketer. In my profession, I’ve crafted campaigns that made hundreds of thousands and campaigns that flopped laborious. Belief me after I say in case you’re making an attempt to develop or launch a enterprise, there’s loads to be taught from OpenAI.
By the way in which, in case you like data-driven advertising insights and sensible methods to make use of AI, take a look at my free e-newsletter, No Fluff Simply Details. I break down what’s working in advertising proper now and the AI improvements price your consideration. 🤓
However sufficient about me. We have to speak about OpenAI and the way it completely obliterated the competitors.
Perceive the aggressive AI panorama
To know what we will be taught from OpenAI’s GTM, we first want to understand how intense the competitors on this house has turn out to be.
Startups are getting funded at a rare price, some and not using a product, just by saying “Yeah, we now have AI”. I’ve even seen AI toasters, however that is a narrative for an additional day. 😔
Exterior of that, the who’s who of Large Tech can also be making a large push into the house and preventing for the highest spot. However are you able to blame them? The house is estimated at USD $757.58 billion in 2025, with projections to achieve USD $3.6 trillion by 2034, rising at a compound annual progress price of 19.20%. Yeah, that is trillion with a T.
However regardless that everybody and their momma are competing for that high spot, if you assume AI, you assume ChatGPT.
Let that sink in… a STARTUP IS CRUSHING a few of the world’s greatest and most well-funded firms. 🤯
Now we might argue till we’re blue within the face about what mannequin is best, who beat what benchmark, blah blah blah. However you realize what is not up for debate?
Who the clear “winner” is in the case of customers and person progress. 🏆
In 27 months, OpenAI has captured the lion’s share of the AI market, and it has managed to one-up itself with each product announcement. What makes this much more spectacular is that it wasn’t the primary to market, and in some instances, it is not even the perfect resolution. It is loads like when the iPhone took off, besides this feels even larger.
OpenAI has turn out to be not possible to disregard, and in case you missed it, this can be a startup!!! 🚀
Classes for founders and entrepreneurs
Now that we have lined how we received right here, let’s speak about how OpenAI pulled this off. Just a few issues needed to go its means, however most of it got here all the way down to the stuff you do not see within the numbers, like good hiring, fixing bugs quick, and conserving everybody on the identical web page. I can solely think about how drained the group have to be. It feels prefer it’s been one lengthy dash because the launch.
All that’s essential, however for at this time’s dialog, let’s concentrate on the GTM public-facing methods that stood out to me. 📌
Each time a brand new AI thingy will get introduced, firms at all times speak about benchmarks. It jogs my memory of these outdated ‘I am a Mac, I am a PC’ adverts. PC by no means fairly received it. Folks care about options, however solely up to some extent. Certain, some of us are all in regards to the specs, however most individuals both do not discover or do not care.
What they care about is whether or not the factor works and whether or not it solves their downside. 🤓☝️
We have now a saying within the workplace: ‘Folks do not need a drill; they need a gap within the wall.’ That is exactly the method OpenAI takes when it launches one thing new. It focuses on what the product does for folks. Certain, it’s going to drop a benchmark right here and there, however the message at all times facilities on actual use instances.
I am not saying benchmarks do not matter, however this group clearly is aware of methods to purchase customers and hold them engaged. 🤝
One other key a part of OpenAI’s playbook that does not get sufficient credit score is how brazenly Sam Altman and his group are constructing OpenAI. Altman has this manner of constructing us really feel like we’re a part of the journey. For those who’ve adopted my work, you realize I have been saying that constructing a private model is the way forward for enterprise.
Check out the man main the AI revolution. He is an unbelievable storyteller who leans into being human. That alone needs to be your signal to begin constructing in public. Every thing is on the market for the world to see, from beefing with Elon Musk to rolling out new options.
Out of the whole lot OpenAI has carried out, the partnerships and integrations like getting ChatGPT into Azure and Bing is perhaps my favourite transfer. 🤜 🤛
On the core, OpenAI tapped into different folks’s audiences to usher in customers. Name it affiliate internet marketing, influencer collabs, or joint ventures.
It is all borrowed credibility. 🎯
Like when your pal introduces you to a brand new group and says, “They’re cool.” Now you are good, simply off the power of that intro.
All that stated, the GTM is not fancy. OpenAI does the fundamentals exceptionally properly:
- Deal with advantages, not options. Do not say, “Skilled on 1.8 trillion parameters.” Say “Writes your total weblog put up in 30 seconds.”
- Construct a group. OpenAI and Altman constructing in public makes the expertise really feel private.
- Collaborate to develop. As enterprise professionals, we regularly really feel like we now have to go at it alone, however that could not be farther from the reality.
My two cents
OpenAI is constructing very spectacular merchandise, however as enterprise professionals, we have to take notice that the AI firm would not use AI as a crutch however as a device to reinforce “good old style” advertising ideas by specializing in clear communication and being relatable. 💪
So, as you forge into the AI future, remember the fundamentals.
😇 Hope this helps. I am rooting for you!
P.S. If you need easier and useful AI ideas and tips, join my free e-newsletter, No Fluff Simply Details.
