Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 12, 2013

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.

Class 93

Class Course Writing Slides 93

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2019

Of course, now that you have investor attention, the devil is in the details. Of course, we all prefer billion dollar opportunities, with double-digit growth rates. A new easier to use social network may not get anyone excited. Will you be selling to businesses or consumers, or both?

.Net 73

.Net Examples Custom Customer 73

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 29, 2019

As a mentor to many aspiring entrepreneurs, I challenge them to think beyond what I call linear extensions to a current trend, such as another “easier-to-use” app for smartphones, a new dating site for pets, or another niche social network. The difference relates to how you expect to get funding.

Entrepreneur 126

Entrepreneur Ideas Resource Examples 126

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 1, 2019

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Startup 97

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 97

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 2, 2013

It seems to me that there is abundant proof in the marketplace of the financial returns to both large and small businesses, the low cost of entry, and the ubiquity of social networks. They don’t know if they should move to social networks for lead generation, branding, customer loyalty, or for direct marketing and e-commerce.

Social Media 106

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 106

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 22, 2011

I talked in specifics about a bunch of my investments including Factual , MongoLab , Maker Studios and Gogii (maker of TextPlus ). But of course tens of thousands of people saw the headline while probably 10% of them or less watched the video. It’s about 10 minutes long. Actually, I never said that. GroupMe to Skype.

Company 295

Company Companies Gogii Google 295

Both Sides of the Table

OCTOBER 17, 2010

And of course – badges. I hope they are because badges will run their course. Last year’s passé terms that even entrepreneurs cringe at (and the best are embarrassed to lead with) are social network, social media and social games. I guess “social&# is just soooo last year.

Startup 296

Startup Evite Web Ideas 296

Both Sides of the Table

NOVEMBER 28, 2013

Meanwhile while social networking was white hot 3 years ago it is now persona non grata unless your user numbers are insane. I’m thankful to the founders of the companies that I invested in where the business has been on a crazy growth trajectory over the past year or two. eCommerce was battered this year.

Santa Barbara 288

Santa Barbara SaaS Help Social Network 288

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

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 7, 2011

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.

Course 91

Course Writing Social Network Ideas 91

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 27, 2014

The successful ones then invest their time and money in furthering their knowledge base. Follow up online with social networking to make contact, dig deeper, and maybe even line up a mentor. Some formal learning is always advisable, but get beyond university MBA courses to professional seminars and case studies.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 102

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 28, 2012

It seems to me that there is abundant proof in the marketplace of the financial returns to both large and small businesses, the low cost of entry, and the ubiquity of social networks. They don’t know if they should move to social networks for lead generation, branding, customer loyalty, or for direct marketing and e-commerce.

Social Media 115

Social Media Media Startup Social Network 115

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2010

So it’s really hard to draw too many conclusions about whether the investment really makes sense because often you learn stuff in the fund raising about the future strategy of the company that might make you much more excited than somebody on the outside might be. Others I have not. Online peer-to-peer lending. 14.7mm in Series D.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Capital Email Blogging 265

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 14, 2012

…” I’ll write soon on my views of why I believe Instagram took off as a social network and what I think comes next. Instagram happens to be one of the few social networks I regularly use along with Twitter. Clichés abound about, “You know what would be cool? Just checked their balance sheet.

Venture Capital 316

Venture Capital Pricing Social Network Acquisition 316

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 9, 2011

I suggested that he add some social network marketing initiatives, and his answer was he is “too busy.” He is not alone, according to a recent study , which concludes that only 47% of companies use social media today for marketing, despite the fact that 78% of executives polled feel it’s critical for success. What’s the problem?

Social Media 104

Social Media Media Marketing Social Network 104

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 13, 2015

Every business should look at its cost of customer acquisition (COCA) and return on investment (ROI) twice a year and after each campaign. This is independent of whether your existing marketing media include traditional or social media, or both. Don’t try to tackle all 20 major categories of digital social media at once.

Social Media 108

Social Media Media Marketing Resource 108

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 8, 2016

In fact, the focus on social networking platforms, starting with Facebook, has destroyed the meaning of the word friend and even changed it from a noun to a verb. Of course, we all need friend relationships in our private lives, and some of these may evolve from or lead to business relationships.

Entrepreneur 66

Entrepreneur Social Network Technical Review Social Media 66

InfoChachkie

MARCH 8, 2011

As highlighted in the movie The Social Network , the Winklevoss brothers are embroiled in a protracted lawsuit with Mark Zuckerberg, Founder of Facebook. They claim that Mr. Zuckerberg “stole” their idea of creating a social network for the Harvard student community. free weekly Infochachkie articles! Meredith Publishing.

Writing 150

Writing Social Network Ideas Entrepreneur 150

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 27, 2012

The successful ones then invest their time and money in furthering their knowledge base. Follow up online with social networking to make contact, dig deeper, and maybe even line up a mentor. Some formal learning is always advisable, but get beyond university MBA courses to professional seminars and case studies.

Entrepreneur 93

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 93

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 18, 2012

Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies. See my interview a couple of years ago with parallel entrepreneur Rich Christiansen , who has started 28 businesses with a target bootstrap investment of $5K each. Of course, a word of caution is also in order here.

Startup 102

Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM Social Network 102

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 27, 2012

1) has escaped the attention of the major Internet companies, which are better run than ever before; (2) is capable of being launched and proven out for ~$5M, the typical seed plus series A investment; and. (3) Enter social media and its importance as a traffic source. Of course not. How many ideas like that are left?”

Technical Review 299

Technical Review Venture Capital Yammer Google 299

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 8, 2011

The successful ones then invest their time and money in furthering their knowledge base. Follow up online with social networking to make contact, dig deeper, and maybe even line up a mentor. Some formal learning is always advisable, but get beyond university MBA courses to professional seminars and case studies.

Startup 103

Startup Mentor Case Study Course 103

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 1, 2013

Every business should look at its cost of customer acquisition (COCA) and return on investment (ROI) twice a year and after each campaign. This is independent of whether your existing marketing media include traditional or social media, or both. Don’t try to tackle all 20 major categories of digital social media at once.

Social Media 103

Social Media Media Marketing Startup 103

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 11, 2012

A while back, I published an article on “ Startup Due Diligence Is Not a Mysterious Black Art ,” describing what investors do to validate your startup before they invest. The investment community in any geographic area is not that large, and most investors have relationships or knowledge of most of the others.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Offshore Invest Social Network 96

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 4, 2015

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Startup 108

Startup Sales Metrics Entrepreneur 108

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 23, 2017

Every business should look at its cost of customer acquisition (COCA) and return on investment (ROI) twice a year and after each campaign. This is independent of whether your existing marketing media include traditional or social media, or both. Don’t try to tackle all 20 major categories of digital social media at once.

Media 59

Media Marketing Social Media Resource 59

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 4, 2010

I suggested that he add some social network marketing initiatives, and his answer was he is “too busy.” According to this study from last year, over 65% of existing small businesses still ignore social media for marketing, so he is still the rule rather than the exception. Start social networking with peers.

Social Media 88

Social Media Media Marketing Startup 88

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 15, 2014

I have thought a lot about anonymity over the years and actually have enjoyed debating the topic with those passionate about anonymity’s benefits because of course that’s how I learn. Of course I know it’s not “private” but I’m dealing with people I know. Contrast that with HackerNews.

Technical Review 329

Technical Review Blogging Examples Startup 329

Both Sides of the Table

SEPTEMBER 10, 2015

I mention this because Greg led our investment in a company that I have personally become addicted to called Draft. If you want to read more about our investment you can follow its launch today on ProductHunt , which has become my favorite place now to launch new applications and companies.

Startup 150

Startup Outsource Development Mobile Southern California 150

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 7, 2010

The successful ones then invest their time and money in furthering their knowledge base. Follow up online with social networking to make contact, dig deeper, and maybe even line up a mentor. Some formal learning is always advisable, but get beyond university MBA courses to professional seminars and case studies.

Entrepreneur 96

Entrepreneur Startup Mentor Case Study 96

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 13, 2017

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Startup 56

Startup Sales Metrics Guide 56

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 15, 2011

Use the Internet and social networking instead of public relations companies and advertising agencies. See my interview a while back with parallel entrepreneur Rich Christiansen , who has started 28 businesses with a target bootstrap investment of $5K each. Of course, a word of caution is also in order here.

Entrepreneur 94

Entrepreneur Startup Search Engine Optimization SEM 94

Both Sides of the Table

FEBRUARY 18, 2013

It will enable the naturally creative but geographically and socially disenfranchised to make money doing what they love – participating. Of course you know Gangnam Style , which is now the most viewed video in history at 1.3 I first wanted to invest in this trend by backing a company called Filmaka. billion views.

Startup 380

Startup Media Content Platform 380

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 23, 2012

Every business should look at its cost of customer acquisition (COCA) and return on investment (ROI) twice a year and after each campaign. This is independent of whether your existing marketing media include traditional or social media, or both. Don’t try to tackle all 20 major categories of digital social media at once.

Media 92

Media Social Media Marketing Resource 92

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2010

A while back, I published an article on “ Understanding the Dreaded Investor Due Diligence ,” describing what investors do to validate your startup before they invest. The investment community in any geographic area is not that large, and most investors have relationships or knowledge of most of the others.

Offshore 89

Offshore Entrepreneur Invest Social Network 89

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 3, 2013

Of course, not every entrepreneur wants to tackle this challenge. Of course, that means a new level of risk, giving up some control, and a new business plan. These only come with the proper training, investment in tools, and focus on customer relationships. There is no free lunch. Install a real board of directors.

Sales 96

Sales Metrics Startup Entrepreneur 96

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 14, 2015

Should third-party apps be able to port my social graph and then drag audiences to consume in a new location? Of course it’s better for me as a user and I could argue it’s MY social graph. And I have my social network in Twitter to thank for the public debate and my being able to clarify my thinking.

AMA 150

AMA Newsletter Startup Networking 150