I hate to see, from a customer’s perspective, investors coming into a growing Web startup. Because it only means rising prices. The logic is this: 1) the investors need a positive return, and 2) the startup is growing because it has created something valuable, in most cases significantly more valuable than what it is charging […]
Tag: startups
Startup syndromes: “The Iznogoud Syndrome”
1. Definition The Iznogoud Syndrome can be defined as follows: A startup strives to disrupt existing market structures instead of adapting to them. In most industries, existing relationships are strong, cemented and will not change due to one startup. Therefore, a better strategy is to find ways of providing utility in the existing ecosystem. 2. Origins […]
Notes on Customer Development
I keep forgetting this stuff, so noting it down for myself (and others). 1. Don’t ask “would you” questions, ask “did you” questions. People are unable to predict their behavior. 2. Don’t ask about your product, ask about their problem. Wrong question: “We have this product A – would you use it?”. Right question: “Do […]
Crowdfunding pitch to media – an example
Here’s an example on how to do PR for a crowdfunding campaign. It should be sent at least a couple of weeks prior to launch. — Hi [name], this is [yourname] from [yourcompany]. We are preparing to release a new product in [yourplatform], and I wanted to give you heads-up since you wrote about [a […]