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How to find that first big customer

A Smart Bear: Startups and Marketing for Geeks

Freshman Salesman writes: I’ve read somewhere in your blog about how you had a very large organisation as the first customer for your software. But this was 2002 when AdWords was affordable and I had no competitors, so you can’t repeat that — it doesn’t matter how I did it. It wasn’t true for me either.

Customer 231
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On Bubbles … And Why We’ll Be Just Fine

Both Sides of the Table

I know that most people who are close to them tend to deny their existence, as we saw in the great housing bubble of 2002-2007 and the dot com bubble of 1997-2000. That happened a lot in 2002 and again in 2008. I believe a bubble occurs when a market is willing to pay greater than intrinsic value for an asset class. You feel it, too.

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The End Of “Build It Yourself” Software

YoungUpstarts

Today in the tech industry, we’re entering an era of Levittown software, and the change is important for all businesses. The companies that ‘rent’ these products on a SaaS basis enjoy the highest standard in software without the costs, risks and tech quandaries of in-house development. The Death of In-House Payment Gateways.

Software 248
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10 Tips for Enterprise Software Startups

ReadWriteStart

I started my career in enterprise software in the 1980s and after some years working in other areas (outsourcing and online media) I am back in the enterprise software game. I have focused this as advice to entrepreneurs building enterprise software ventures today. Most enterprise software companies are self-funded sailboats.

Software 127
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How to Radically Stand Out with Brand Marketing

ConversionXL

In 2002, Elon Musk created Space X. If you spam the non-buyers with sales CTAs, you’ll only annoy them. For example, if you offer an affordable solution in a notoriously expensive software category, you may be perceived as an entry-level platform for startups or small teams with smaller budgets. Everyone else?

Marketing 109
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How to Use Your Website to Convert Consulting Leads into Clients

Duct Tape Marketing

As a consultant who must balance delivery versus sales, not having enough leads can lead to the dreaded feast-or-famine cycle. When used correctly, it can be your most powerful sales tool. When you’re website does marketing and sales for you, you can focus more on helping your clients. Share what you know. You own it.

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Prevailing Wisdom

Mucker Lab

1998 – “There is no room for personal productivity software startups – Microsoft will eat your lunch when you get big enough and Symantec will take the crumbs”. 2002 – “the social network fad is over”. 2002 – “Information Technology is not a competitive advantage”. Evernote, Dropbox). Myspace, Facebook). Everything).

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