InfoChachkie

JANUARY 18, 2012

As part of UC Santa Barbara’s Distinguished Lecture Series, serial entrepreneur and noted venture capitalist Mark Suster recently shared his advice with a large crowd of emerging entrepreneurs. In the last six weeks, I have been pitched by five entrepreneurs under 20. But our product wasn’t ready for primetime.

Entrepreneur 272

Entrepreneur Startup Conference Santa Barbara 272

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 12, 2014

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. The starting point of product IS marketing, which is what a lot of young entrepreneurs that never studied business don’t realize. But being best-in-class at online marketing is also a sine qua non to standout from your peer group.

Marketing 379

Marketing Startup SEM SEO 379

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 16, 2018

Jim Semick: I’ve been launching and managing software products for 15 years now, going back to when you and I worked together at Expertcity before it was acquired by Citrix. I have always worked on early stage products. Some of the products I’ve helped validate and launch include GoToMyPC, GoToMeeting and AppFolio.

Venture Capital 115

Venture Capital Entrepreneur Santa Barbara SaaS 115

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 10, 2013

It’s only 12 minutes long and if you’re a first-time entrepreneur (or second time, frankly) I encourage you to watch it if for nothing else than to get a sense that your struggles are universal. Startups are filled with enormously talented people – often product people & engineers. Even success feels hollow.

Startup 412

Startup Press Course Entrepreneur 412

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

Thus the top priority of every entrepreneur who wants funding should be to build and highlight their “dream team” of co-founders, executives and advisers, to attract the biggest and best investors. Solo entrepreneurs rarely find an investor. Investors talk to each other and they love warm introductions to up-and-coming entrepreneurs.

Startup 60

Startup Entrepreneur Software Review Technical Review 60

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 8, 2013

So what’s an entrepreneur to do to get his new business noticed these days? Most entrepreneurs I know are too busy creating a compelling product to give proper focus to the four phases of building a people and media platform that Hyatt says are equally critical for long-term success: Platform creation prior to launch.

Platform 105

Platform Entrepreneur Startup Social Media 105

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 11, 2011

The idea actually came to him from the Yellow Pages business. He was a life-long entrepreneur and the first business he created out of college (actually, he founded it while he was at Caltech) was a company that manufactured high quality audio speakers. So the Yellow Page business was always “pay for placement.&#.

Competition 350

Competition Idealab Product CitySearch 350

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 14, 2013

On a regular basis, I am approached by entrepreneurs who assert that business plans are a waste of time. They cite sources like a recent BusinessWeek story, “ Real Entrepreneurs Don’t Write Business Plans ” and this NY Times article. For the rest of you entrepreneurs, consider the value of a business plan when it is not required.

Entrepreneur 100

Entrepreneur Technical Review Writing Slides 100

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 20, 2020

In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You need something specific from the other person – a loan, or product order, or help solving a problem. Real same-page connection (fourth floor). Of course, relationships seldom fit neatly into a given level. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 150

Startup Guide Help Course 150

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 27, 2012

These days every new entrepreneur understands that an innovative product or service is necessary, but not sufficient, to start a business. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. Recently I was reviewing a book on content marketing, “ Accelerate! ”

Examples 93

Examples Content Marketing Entrepreneur 93

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 12, 2021

As a startup mentor and investor, I am approached regularly by aspiring entrepreneurs who assert that business plans take too much time, are inaccurate, and rarely add value. The size of the document should be based on your style, but 10-20 pages or slides are usually more than adequate to outline even a complex business.

Technical Review 126

Technical Review Writing Entrepreneur Slides 126

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2013

In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You need something specific from the other person – a loan, or product order, or help solving a problem. Real same-page connection (fourth floor). Of course, relationships seldom fit neatly into a given level. Marty Zwilling.

Entrepreneur 92

Entrepreneur Startup Guide Help 92

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 30, 2012

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. Sure, there are examples of founders who have survived and prospered, such as Bill Gates and Larry Page, but these guys are the exception, not the rule. Consider the recent example of Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg.

Entrepreneur 95

Entrepreneur Startup Report Summary 95

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 15, 2014

As is often said if you don’t get at least a few fellow VCs (and entrepreneurs) scratching their heads you may not be funding ideas with enough upside. This was certainly the case when I invested in a small YouTube video production company called Maker Studios that recently sold to Disney for just shy of $1 billion.

Funding 362

Funding Technical Review Ideas Startup 362

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 14, 2014

Sponsored by VISA Business Running a small business as an entrepreneur is a never-ending challenge of new products, customers, competitors, and an unpredictable economy. Too many entrepreneurs never find the time to reflect on the positives of their lifestyle, or even take a break. Choosing entrepreneurship is no exception.

Startup 92

Startup Tips Satisfaction Entrepreneur 92

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 5, 2011

Many entrepreneurs still dream of “going public,” making billions of dollars, and playing with the big boys. Sure, there are examples of founders who have survived and prospered, such as Bill Gates and Larry Page, but these guys are the exception, not the rule. Don’t be driven by greed to the wrong alternative. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 94

Startup Entrepreneur Report Summary 94

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 2, 2014

Many startups these days are started by young, technical or product founders who are in the idealistic phase of their lives and careers. Of course it sounds nicer to live in a utopian socialist society where everybody has the same amount and life is “fair.” But the book is a must read for entrepreneurs.

Startup 385

Startup Coach Course Snapchat 385

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2020

As an aspiring entrepreneur, one of the most important things you need is a memorable “ elevator pitch ,” to communicate your startup value proposition and leave a great first impression on friends, investors, employees, and future customers. What they want to hear is quantified value to them.

Sample 127

Sample Summary Startup Slides 127

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 6, 2011

We all make important, complicated decisions in our life and having accurate, objective data about our choices allow us to find and compare products that meet our needs. With that said, what books, blogs or other resources do you recommend for emerging entrepreneurs? If you haven’t already subscribed yet, subscribe now for.

Entrepreneur 232

Entrepreneur Competition Software Review Course 232

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 11, 2013

Many entrepreneurs are too focused on their dream to take notice of health warning signs, which leads them to ignore business health signs as well. Real job performance is more a function of productivity than hours worked anyway. Lead by example, of course, and encourage employees regularly to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

Startup 93

Startup Tips Entrepreneur Metrics 93

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 2, 2018

In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You need something specific from the other person – a loan, or product order, or help solving a problem. Real same-page connection (fourth floor). Of course, relationships seldom fit neatly into a given level. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 93

Startup Guide Help Course 93

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 11, 2016

Let me just put this more clearly for you up front – the vast majority of the Internet is used for porn so every product has this use but you probably just don’t know about it: YouTube, Tumblr, Facebook, FaceTime, Skype and of course be very careful on Google Search without “safe mode” on. So get over it.

Snapchat 150

Snapchat Screening Venture Capital Guide 150

InfoChachkie

JANUARY 24, 2011

We all make important, complicated decisions in our life and having accurate, objective data about our choices allow us to find and compare products that meet our needs. With that said, what books, blogs or other resources do you recommend for emerging entrepreneurs? 10) Kevin, why does the world need FindTheBest (FTB)? . “We

Blogging 219

Blogging Entrepreneur Software Review Course 219

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 24, 2017

I’m sure that every one of us who has been out in the business world for a few years can look back with perfect hindsight and name a few college courses that we should have taken. But on the business side, here is my list of useful courses that we wish existed, but as far as I know, still aren’t generally available: Basic Office Politics.

Training 57

Training Course Email Social Network 57

Both Sides of the Table

JUNE 9, 2013

I spoke this past week at the LeWeb conference in London, which was a superbly well run event with a very quality production team. You can of course view the presentation in SlideShare above or download it directly for free here. I believe that market conditions drive innovation as much as great entrepreneurs do.

Marketing 361

Marketing Course Pricing Networking 361

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 30, 2015

Image via Flickr by SideWages.com These days every new entrepreneur understands that an innovative product or service is necessary, but not sufficient, to start a business. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. Search engines and people love blogs these days.

Blogging 105

Blogging eBook Content Web 105

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 23, 2013

The new hot topic for entrepreneurs the last couple of years is crowd funding, which is anticipated to at least supplement, if not replace, the slow and mysterious process of current Angel and venture capital investors. Example sites include StartSomeGood and the Facebook Cause page. There is no concept of ROI other than product.

Funding 99

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 99

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 10, 2015

To make this work, you need heavy traffic on your site -- probably at least a million page views per month -- which most sites never achieve in their lifetimes. While you are doing all this work, of course, you need deep pockets to fund all your efforts, content and growing website hosting fees.

Advertising 99

Advertising PPC CPC Sites 99

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 8, 2013

These days every new entrepreneur understands that an innovative product or service is necessary, but not sufficient, to start a business. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. But most entrepreneurs don’t know where to start. Arnie Kuenn business content marketing entrepreneur startup' Marty Zwilling.

Content 114

Content Marketing Startup eBook 114

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2016

In the world of entrepreneurs and startups, high level relationships are everything. You need something specific from the other person – a loan, or product order, or help solving a problem. Real same-page connection (fourth floor). Of course, relationships seldom fit neatly into a given level. Marty Zwilling.

Startup 97

Startup Guide Help Course 97

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 10, 2011

In my ongoing quest to get you good transcripts of the wonderful interviews we’ve done in the past, I present you with one amazing interview here with Tom McInerney – a friend, co-investor, former entrepreneur turned angel investor and “wizard of Oz&# behind the scenes at the uber hot startup Klout.

Angel 302

Angel Startup Ideas .Net 302

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 14, 2013

Creating awareness for your brand and products is one of the lifebloods of technology startups yet in a world where so many companies are being created it becomes difficult to rise above the noise. Ever notice how some companies tend to be in the press all the time and your big new product launch struggled for inches? I am a VC.

Marketing 389

Marketing Press Blogging Startup 389

Tech.Co

AUGUST 1, 2017

Once a novelty act reserved for indie band albums and curious art projects, crowdfunding is starting to play a major role in the world of startups and new products. Your campaign page should clearly highlight your track record, what you’ve already put in place to make your vision a reality, and why you are the one with the skills for the job.

Startup 93

Startup Social Media Tips Ideas 93

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 14, 2015

Many entrepreneurs pitching err on the side of too much information. I try to remind people that raising money is about building rapport and you can’t build rapport wading through 60 pages of charts or showing 45 product features. Since of course software isn’t dead. You do it eyeball-to-eyeball in discussion.

Startup 150

Startup Venture Capital Course Marketing 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 25, 2012

The new hot topic for entrepreneurs these days is crowd funding, which is anticipated to at least supplement, if not replace, the slow and mysterious process of current Angel and venture capital investors. Example sites include StartSomeGood and the Facebook Cause page. There is no concept of ROI other than product.

Funding 96

Funding Satisfaction Sites Outsource Development 96

SoCal CTO

SEPTEMBER 30, 2013

Of course, when you go to have this conversation be prepared. I recently had a phone call with an early stage entrepreneur that was incredibly frustrating. The second item is important to make sure we are on the same page on why we are getting together. “I I’d prefer that you don’t make the same mistakes.

CTO Coach 211

CTO Coach Startup Web Guide 211

Startup Professionals Musings

MAY 31, 2012

So what’s an entrepreneur to do to get his new business noticed these days? Most entrepreneurs I know are too busy creating a compelling product to give proper focus to the four phases of building a people and media platform that are equally critical for long-term success: Platform creation prior to launch.

Startup 104

Startup Social Media Platform Blogging 104