Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 8, 2020

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Ideas 124

Ideas Tips Marketing Social Media 124

InfoChachkie

AUGUST 4, 2014

Kurt and his crew can make these, and about 35 of other once-in-a-lifetime treks, a reality. If you could share one startup lesson with a young entrepreneur, what would it be? So I ask prospective new entrepreneurs, ''What is it specifically that you can bring to the industry?'' Ever fantasized about climbing Mt.

Entrepreneur 187

Entrepreneur Startup Social Media Resource 187

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 19, 2011

He tells the story of how he was out of cash, stressed out, nobody in LA or Silicon Valley would give him money, he had finally found an investor in Minneapolis but his venture bank was going to shut him down for breaking a “covenant&# in their agreement by not having enough cash in the bank. The answer? Something so simple.

Acquisition 304

Acquisition Startup Custom Customer 304

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 384

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 384

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

You can watch/listen to how John and Kyle turned their email newsletter into an international bestseller in the following 9-minute excerpt from John''s recent talk at UC Santa Barbara. an email) to about 35 people. If you want to be kept informed just send me an email and let me know that you''re in, and that was it.

Newsletter 233

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 233

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 9, 2014

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. There is real value in doing the key things yourself, before your startup is even started: Demonstrate thought leadership before selling a product. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Entrepreneur 102

Entrepreneur Social Media Startup Blogging 102

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 1, 2016

Savvy entrepreneurs start testing their ideas on potential customers even before the concept is fully cooked. I still hear too many excuses for not working early on the elevator pitch, like wanting to fly under the radar, don’t have the team together yet, or can’t afford an agency. Craft and hone your elevator pitch early.

Custom 58

Custom Customer Social Media Startup 58

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 14, 2014

If you follow the tech media you would be subject to a lot of narrative biases that are completely off base – and this includes the value of email and phone calls. In fact 61% of all mobile searches where a customer contacts a business it is via a phone call (source: Google). THE FULL STORY. billion email accounts.

Email 339

Email SaaS Venture Capital Google 339

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 11, 2013

As I visit the websites of many startups, as well as more mature businesses, I still too often see a “contact” page offering nothing but a sterile form for customers to submit, never to be heard from again. Customers are not all like you, and they have choices, so a “one size fits all” customer service is no longer a viable option.

Social Media 99

Social Media Custom Customer Media 99

InfoChachkie

MAY 20, 2013

According to Tige Young, Founder and CEO of Tui Tai Expeditions , entrepreneurs should de-emphasize ROI and focus on a more accurate measure of wealth, Return On Life. I became acquainted with Tige, when I was researching examples of exemplary online customer service. As I got to know Tige, I became intrigued with his story.

Entrepreneur 235

Entrepreneur Startup Software Engineering Technical Review 235

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2010

TechCrunch Europe ran an article in November of last year that European startups need to work as hard as those in Silicon Valley and I echoed the sentiment in my post about the need for entrepreneurs to be maniacal about their businesses if one wants to work in the hyper competitive tech world. We were based in London.

Entrepreneur 308

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Conference 308

InfoChachkie

JUNE 3, 2013

You can watch/listen to how John and Kyle turned their email newsletter into an international bestseller in the following 9-minute excerpt from John''s recent talk at UC Santa Barbara. an email) to about 35 people. If you want to be kept informed just send me an email and let me know that you''re in, and that was it.

Newsletter 133

Newsletter Startup Entrepreneur Writing 133

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 22, 2011

One of the most common questions that entrepreneurs who meet me for the first time like to ask is, “Do you miss being an entrepreneur? I thought I’d talk a bit about the differences I’ve experienced between being an entrepreneur & a VC – you know, from “both sides of the table.&#. On Being an Entrepreneur.

Entrepreneur 176

Entrepreneur Startup Venture Capital Ideas 176

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 12, 2018

Many people will write the history on why Ring became an enormously successful company and why it became a real-world unicorn in a world when many startups are anointed that merely on paper. Jamie Siminoff is not only one of the single best true entrepreneurs in Los Angeles, he’s amongst the best we’ve worked with in the country.

Startup 247

Startup Pricing Product Marketing 247

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 1, 2019

The right strategy for branding these days is to create a most memorable total customer experience for customers, rather than a focus on hyping the product and the company name. Here are some key recommendations for building your branding plan: Find out who your customers are through social media.

Social Media 73

Social Media Custom Customer Mobile 73

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 21, 2019

Conventional business wisdom tells us that entrepreneurs are today’s main source of innovation. We see the stories of young founders leaving college with a big idea, going to work in their garage, and building something that changes the world. These included the PC, mobile phone, the internet, and MRI imaging.

IBM 53

IBM IBM Java Google 53

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 16, 2012

I raised money as an entrepreneur, like you, in 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005 for two different companies. I’ve tried to make this advice as well-rounded and biased free as I can. Partners make investment decisions. And that doesn’t work remotely. Their story will likely be very different from yours.

Develop 366

Develop Development Funding Venture Capital 366

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 22, 2010

So I’ve always advised people that if they do launch at a big show, the most important public relations work they do is after the conference. Use the fact that you were on an anointed list to build credibility when you eventually approach journalists (and VC’s, customers, employees). Robert’s article is worth reading.

Tips 307

Tips Startup Press Blogging 307

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 4, 2012

Most sophisticated investors ignore them, focusing their attention on an entrepreneur's pitch and presentation materials, financial forecast and executive summary. As noted in Entrepreneurs Shouldn't Pitch Their Ideas To Venture Capitalists , most sophisticated investors place their bets on people rather than opportunities.

Venture Capital 211

Venture Capital Summary Technical Review Template 211

Both Sides of the Table

AUGUST 8, 2009

Unfortunately there is no real objective measure. Traction can simply mean showing that you’re making progress with customers, product development, channel partners, initial revenue as a proof point, attracting well-known angel investors, winning industry awards / recognition. Unfortunately your advisers are wrong.

Venture Capital 309

Venture Capital Guide Startup Technical Review 309

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 27, 2011

If you care about accessing customers, reaching an audience, communicating your vision, influencing people in your industry, marketing your services or just plain engaging in a dialog with others in your industry a blog is a great way to achieve this. I’ll bet your customers, business partners or suppliers would love similar.

Blogging 373

Blogging Startup Writing Venture Capital 373

socalTECH

MARCH 29, 2012

Our platform allows clients to run campaigns in front of their customers, wherever it's best to reach those customers. Our platform allows clients to run campaigns in front of their customers, wherever it's best to reach those customers. What's the best way to get the word out about your brand on social media?

Social Media 217

Social Media Startup Platform Media 217

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 11, 2016

Let me first address VCs or anybody else who is likely above the age where they “get” Snapchat but whose customers are likely in the age demo who use it religiously. That’s like you saying you don’t want to go to cocktail parties and network anymore while every 25-35 year-old VC steals your customers.

Snapchat 150

Snapchat Screening Venture Capital Guide 150

Both Sides of the Table

MAY 7, 2018

As you work deals they might move up or down in the priority list but when you start you should have no more than 8–10 priority A’s (more is unrealistic) and no more than 8–10 priority B’s. A’s should be the people who would not only make a perfect investor for you but also those that have the highest probability of your closing them.

Funding 215

Funding Startup Venture Capital News 215

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 10, 2011

Today I’m announcing that GRP Partners is doubling down on the Twitter ecosystem by investing in DataSift , a company who provides a real-time data platform and tools to third-party developers and corporations. Think of DataSift as turning the fire-hose into a cost-effective and manageable tap of running water. What does that mean?

Platform 307

Platform News Startup Invest 307

Both Sides of the Table

JANUARY 31, 2010

It’s a shame because the ability to nail these presentations at key conferences can be once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to influence journalists, business partners, potential employees, customers and VCs. If you care about being a compelling presenter you need to work on it if it doesn’t already come naturally.

Startup 362

Startup Twiistup Slides Screening 362

Both Sides of the Table

JULY 5, 2010

You attend five customer meetings together over a two-week period and after each meeting you replay the results in the office about what it meant. With all the recent obsessions about “pivots&# most people don’t realize that the more powerful pivots are the unnoticeable ones we make every day through these exchanges.

Technical Advisors 335

Technical Advisors Outsource Development Offshore Startup 335

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 15, 2016

Too many entrepreneurs still believe that “if we build it, they will come.” With today’s overload of information from digital as well as conventional sources, even the best new solutions and services won’t get traction without real marketing. Firing randomly to see what sticks doesn’t work.

Marketing 58

Marketing Startup Social Media Newsletter 58

socalTECH

MARCH 15, 2016

There's a lack of information on materials, design, types of products, minimum order size, and other information on different producers, which makes it difficult for designers to find who can manufacture their garment. Our uusers can use ratings and reviews, to know if they are working with high quality manufacturers. What District2?

Software Review 100

Software Review Design Technical Review Platform 100

Both Sides of the Table

APRIL 21, 2010

It was a fun show today, especially Jason’s story at the very end of the episode! It was a fun show today, especially Jason’s story at the very end of the episode! I promise in real life I don’t suck at spelling OR grammar. OK, it’s official! I just cover the companies that were funded that week.

Venture Capital 265

Venture Capital Capital Email Blogging 265

socalTECH

OCTOBER 28, 2010

Not too many people are aware of the success and story of Lynda.com (www.lynda.com), started by Lynda Weinman and Bruce Heavin , and how the firm's now grown to a double-digit, multimillion dollar business which is known as THE source for online training on such things as web design, graphics software, animation, video editing, and much more.

Startup 242

Startup Web Design Writing Web 242

Both Sides of the Table

MARCH 8, 2010

Define your customers, partners and other relevant people to your organization (e.g. That’s blogging to the echo chamber unless they’re your target customers. If you try to make everything too perfect you’ll never hit publish. I guess let’s file this under sales & marketing advice. Be authentic.

Blogging 286

Blogging Startup Writing Summary 286

InfoChachkie

SEPTEMBER 22, 2011

Richard White, author of The Entrepreneur’s Manual , surveyed a number of venture capitalists, asking them to identify the characteristics of successful, serial entrepreneurs. In fact, several of the venture capitalists pointed out that successful entrepreneurs often have to be encouraged to spend more aggressively.

Startup 221

Startup Pricing Entrepreneur Email 221

SoCal Delicious

MAY 6, 2012

Our Best Interviews Via Email: Monthly. where entrepreneurs share their stories. 63 Los Angeles Entrepreneurs To Be Proud Of By mario on May 2, 2012 in Features , grid. Free Corporations For First-Time Entrepreneurs. Right now they’re setting up 500 free corporations for first time entrepreneurs.

Los Angeles 78

Los Angeles Entrepreneur Angel Fractional CTO 78

InfoChachkie

DECEMBER 10, 2012

We’re a tool for hackers, designers, and entrepreneurs - effectively everyone who reads Hacker News. Hacker News encourages entrepreneurs to solicit feedback by using the "Show HN" prefix in a post's title. This approach works if you are seeking legitimate feedback and are not attempting to simply pimp your wares.

News 198

News Sites Startup RSS 198

SoCal CTO

DECEMBER 1, 2010

One out of ten of Americans are out of work. Equity-Only CTO and Equity-Only Developers - SoCal CTO , November 1, 2010 I had a recent email dialog with the founder of a company looking for a CTO for their startup. We had several emails back and forth where he provided basic details on the concept. Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Technical Review 175

Technical Review Startup Product Technology 175

socalTECH

MARCH 29, 2010

What's the story behind the funding? What's the story behind the funding? We built a hub, where we could conduct auctions, in real time, and allowed people to participate in real time. In order to answer that, we must have systems that basically make decisions in real time, and utilize all types of data.

Advertising 157

Advertising Startup Media Marketing 157