Don’t know who needs to hear this, but if you’re writing a quick start guide, give people everything they need. Right there in the guide. No exceptions.

Your job isn’t to make people jump through hoops. It’s to get them using your stuff. Fast.

I see way too many guides that are basically homework assignments. “Find a YouTube video to analyze.” “Get an audio file with multiple speakers.” “Upload a PDF document.” You know what that does? It kills momentum. And when momentum dies, interest follows.

Here’s the deal: If you want me to try your API with a YouTube video, give me the link. Need me to use an audio file? Attach it to the guide. Want me to upload a document? Provide a PDF. Don’t make assumptions about what people have lying around or how much time they’re willing to spend prepping to try your product.

This isn’t just about being nice (though that matters). It’s smart business. When you provide everything, you control the experience. You can pick examples that really show off what your thing can do. Why leave that to chance?

Too many companies act like their quick start guide is some kind of test. It’s not. It’s a sales tool. Your one shot to show someone why your product is worth their time.

So make it easy. Painfully easy. So easy it feels like cheating. Because every second someone spends looking for a video to analyze or digging up a PDF is a second they’re not spending being amazed by your product.

Remember: You’re not testing their resourcefulness. You’re showing off your product. The easier you make that, the better off everyone is.

Quick start guides should be quick starts. Not “go find stuff yourself” guides.

Bottom line: Give Everything, Assume Nothing. Do that, and you’re already ahead of most quick start guides out there.