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Why The Haters are Wrong About Growth Hacking

Both Sides of the Table

There’s an article making the rounds in tech circles titled “ Growth Hacking is Bull ” written by Muhammad Saleem. His early experience was at LogMeIn and then he went on to help Xobni, DropBox, LookOut and EventBrite to name a few companies I’m sure you’ve heard of.

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Understanding the Underbelly of Online Marketing & Why You’ll Lose if You Don’t

Both Sides of the Table

If you’re a technology startup you need to excel at product, of course. While many tech startups do this intuitively (say, SnapChat thinking it would be much better if our photos out partying disappeared) it still happens. It’s worth a quick read. My argument is pretty simple. Rebelling is simply a form of snobbery.

Marketing 379
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The Case for In-Stream Advertising

Both Sides of the Table

I know that advertising is important to inform consumers of offers – the same reason many tech companies use SEM. Our portfolio company did so well that Google copied this approach and out executed Overture. So only the technology companies can make money from ad links and not the creators of content?

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How Startups Can Use Metrics to Drive Success

Both Sides of the Table

One of the things I discuss the most with the portfolio companies I’m involved with is that “you manage what you measure.”. Make them widely available inside the company and share your most important goals with your board. My experience has proven that even some well known companies are under-whelming in this department.

Metrics 346
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Sales Kids With Grit – Web 2.0 Paper Routes

InfoChachkie

The American Seed Company, as shown in the accompany ad, encouraged young people to sign a simple “contract” that read: “Please send me your Big Prize book and one order of 45 packs of American Seeds. Search Engine Management (SEM) – Search marketing can be performed by anyone with a rudimentary understanding of Google AdWords.

Web 2.0 222
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Why Misunderstanding Startup Metrics Can Cost You Your Business

Both Sides of the Table

When I publicly Tweeted that all companies should be gross margin positive many people pointed out that Amazon wasn’t profitable for many years. profitable and companies like Amazon who chose to focus on growth > profitability were not losing money on each book sale (ie they were gross margin positive). Gross margin positive !=

Metrics 150
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How to Decrease the Odds That Your Startup Fails

Both Sides of the Table

Many startup businesses – tech or otherwise – fail. Trying outrageous new things or even trying mundane things but in new ways but with extreme quality & innovation is what fuels the tech startup industry. How much money will airlines companies, hotel companies or event companies pay me as a referral or for booking?

Startup 150