Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 16, 2023

Here is my summary of the seven most successful lead-generation vehicles he and I still recommend today, despite the popularity of viral marketing: Search-engine marketing. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. Marty Zwilling

Lead Generation 285

Lead Generation SEM Viral Marketing 285

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 20, 2016

In my angel investor mode, I often find myself flipping to the “management” section of a business plan, even before I read the solution description and opportunity. It starts with having a vision and an ability to get the message across in your elevator pitch, in a written business plan and one-on-one with potential investors.

Sweat Equity 152

Sweat Equity Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch Software Review 152

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 14, 2014

Now the real work begins – promotion, marketing, blogging, and all types of search engine marketing. The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of website applications today.

Startup 252

Startup eCommerce Hosting Bootstrapping 252

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 22, 2018

Your startup is in a high-failure-rate business sector. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers.

New York City 202

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 202

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 18, 2011

Now the real work begins – promotion, marketing, blogging, and all types of search engine marketing. The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of e-commerce today.

Hosting 248

Hosting Bootstrapping .Net Social Network 248

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 10, 2013

Now the real work begins – promotion, marketing, blogging, and all types of search engine marketing. The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of e-commerce today.

eCommerce 196

eCommerce Hosting Bootstrapping .Net 196

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 5, 2021

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. In finance, a bubble is too much money chasing assets, greater asset production and a herd mentality. Overconfidence.

Demand 362

Demand Government Venture Capital Valuation 362

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 20, 2020

Here is my summary of the seven most successful lead-generation vehicles he and I still recommend today, despite the popularity of viral marketing: Search-engine marketing. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. Marty Zwilling.

Lead Generation 365

Lead Generation Customer SEM Marketing 365

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 26, 2015

In addition, every solution has to fit into the current political, cultural and economic environment to make it a viable business. For example, hydrogen-fueled engines were invented over a century ago, with a continuing promise of breathing air and exhaling pure water vapor and having over 200 companies active in the hydrogen sector today.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Product Curation Technology 120

Startup Professionals Musings

NOVEMBER 8, 2014

Your startup is in a high-failure-rate business sector. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers.

New York City 254

New York City Silicon Valley Bootstrapping Technical Review 254

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 16, 2010

Now the real work begins – promotion, marketing, blogging, and all types of search engine marketing. The net is that if I see a website business plan today with a projected development cost greater than $200K, I suspect the founder must be including some fancy perks, or they don’t understand the market dynamics of e-commerce today.

Cost 220

Cost Startup Hosting Bootstrapping 220

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 1, 2022

Since every business is built by unique individuals, I’m totally convinced that exceptional people are the key to an exceptional company.

Startup 328

Startup .Net Advertising Search 328

Startup Professionals Musings

JUNE 25, 2012

Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. Your funding strategy is a key part of every business plan, so don’t hesitate to check out the real alternatives. Partner with distributor or beneficiary. Marty Zwilling.

Technical Review 257

Technical Review Bootstrapping Venture Capital Incubator 257

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 9, 2016

Your startup is in a high-failure-rate business sector. On the Internet, I am wary of one more search engine provider, clones of existing social-media sites, and yet another new dating site. These historically have included work-at-home, restaurants, telemarketing and social-service providers.

New York City 120

New York City Silicon Valley Startup Bootstrapping 120

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 15, 2018

They don’t realize that business projections with no third-party validation have no credibility with investors, and smart potential investors will walk away. Every good business plan needs an early section which sizes the total market opportunity, and then breaks down that total into the most relevant segments for your focus.

Marketing 219

Marketing SBA Venture Capital Business Plan 219

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 18, 2016

Remember that investors at this stage have heard primarily from the founder, and only reviewed written business plans and collateral. Due diligence is going the next step, to meet and interview all key members of the team, visit the business location and follow-up with early customers and advisors.

Technical Review 120

Technical Review Due Diligence Cap Table Intellectual Property 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2011

Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. Your funding strategy is a key part of every business plan, so don’t hesitate to check out the real alternatives. Partner with distributor or beneficiary. Marty Zwilling.

Technical Review 233

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 233

Startup Professionals Musings

FEBRUARY 9, 2018

To organize my thoughts, I found a new book, “ Burn the Business Plan ,” by Carl Schramm, who speaks from experience founding five companies, working major corporate roles, and being an active venture investor. The real value of a college education is in learning how to learn, since markets and business models are changing so fast.

Incubator 180

Incubator Angel Investor Dilution Equity 180

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 24, 2019

Since every business is built by unique individuals, I’m totally convinced that exceptional people are the key to an exceptional company.

Startup 247

Startup .Net Advertising Search 247

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 17, 2018

Here is my summary of the seven most successful lead-generation vehicles he and I still recommend today, despite the popularity of viral marketing: Search-engine marketing. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. Marty Zwilling.

Lead Generation 137

Lead Generation SEM Viral Social Media 137

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 19, 2012

Business plans with no “industry expert” data on your target opportunity size and growth are routinely rejected. Your business plan must have an “Opportunity” section, where industry market size and growth projections are included. Is it possible to get this information with minimal cost?

Marketing 243

Marketing Entrepreneur Forecast Business Plan 243

Startup Professionals Musings

OCTOBER 15, 2012

Don’t talk directly to potential investors until you have the business plan and other basics complete. Most startups need funding before shipping, and investors expect to see your website to validate your business plan. Prime the investor world. Tune your website. These things can’t be done while in stealth mode.

Stealth 252

Stealth Entrepreneur Incubator Engineer 252

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 1, 2010

Exchanging equity for services is worth negotiating with legal counsel, accountants, engineers, and even sales people. Your funding strategy is a key part of every business plan, so don’t forget to check out all the alternatives. Tags: entrepreneurs startups funding sources business. Partner with beneficiary company.

Technical Review 149

Technical Review Bootstrapping Startup Venture Capital 149

Startup Professionals Musings

APRIL 25, 2014

Here is my summary of the seven most successful lead-generation vehicles he recommends today: Search-engine marketing. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. How many of these lead generation techniques are funded in your business plan?

Lead Generation 248

Lead Generation SEM Social Media Startup 248

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 22, 2014

They don’t realize that business projections with no third-party validation have no credibility with investors. Every good business plan needs an early section that sizes the total market opportunity, and then breaks down that total into the most relevant segments for your focus. Conduct your own customized market research.

Entrepreneur 244

Entrepreneur Marketing SBA Venture Capital 244

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 21, 2013

But a depth of knowledge in a specific discipline, like computer science or engineering, allows you to understand that business as well as run it. More important are standard business, finance, and economics courses. Build a business plan early on. " Study entrepreneurship, but major in something else.

Entrepreneur 264

Entrepreneur Seed Money Social Network Business Plan 264

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 16, 2014

It’s not uncommon for me to see a startup business plan “mission” to be the “premier brand” for their product, yet their marketing budget in the financials is trivial. This combination will almost certainly get your plan tossed by potential investors, who understand all too well the need and cost for marketing in today’s environment.

Marketing 257

Marketing SEM Viral Social Media 257

Startup Professionals Musings

SEPTEMBER 25, 2021

In fact, I often have to tell aspiring entrepreneurs that their inventions have zero value, at least not until they are put in the context of a business plan, with qualified people committed to executing the plan. Early-stage ideas fall in the same category. Don’t get me wrong. Commercialization requires infrastructure.

Technical Review 391

Technical Review Intellectual Property Early Stage Global 391

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 31, 2011

Don’t talk directly to potential investors until you have the business plan and other basics complete. Most startups need funding before shipping, and investors expect to see your website to validate your business plan. Prime the investor world. Tune your website. These things can’t be done while in stealth mode.

Stealth 252

Stealth Startup Incubator Engineer 252

Startup Professionals Musings

JULY 24, 2010

< Business plan creation. Every university has educational courses and can provide assistance on creating your initial plan. If you need part-time engineers to build a prototype, you can always find high-caliber grad students with the latest theory ready to work. Finding a team.

Phoenix 235

Phoenix Intellectual Property Arizona Incubator 235

Startup Professionals Musings

JANUARY 17, 2013

It’s not uncommon for me to see a startup business plan “mission” to be the “premier brand” for their product, yet their marketing budget in the financials is trivial. This combination will almost certainly get your plan tossed by potential investors, who understand all too well the need and cost for marketing in today’s environment.

Marketing 265

Marketing Viral SEM Startup 265

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 6, 2011

But a depth of knowledge in a specific discipline, like computer science or engineering, allows you to understand that business as well as run it. More important are standard business, finance, and economics courses. Build a business plan early on. " Study entrepreneurship, but major in something else.

Entrepreneur 264

Entrepreneur Seed Money Social Network Business Plan 264

Startup Professionals Musings

DECEMBER 9, 2010

Business plans with no “industry expert” data on your target opportunity size and growth are routinely rejected. Your business plan must have an “Opportunity” section, where industry market size and growth projections are included. Is it possible to get this information with minimal cost?

Marketing 221

Marketing Forecast Business Plan Internet 221

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 6, 2016

Here is my summary of the seven most successful lead-generation vehicles he and I still recommend today, despite the popularity of viral marketing: Search-engine marketing. For new product startups, search engine marketing (SEM) is still one of the most cost-effective and scalable lead-generation approaches. Marty Zwilling.

Viral 120

Viral Lead Generation Customer SEM 120

Startup Professionals Musings

AUGUST 28, 2016

They don’t realize that business projections with no third-party validation have no credibility with investors, and smart potential investors will walk away. Every good business plan needs an early section which sizes the total market opportunity, and then breaks down that total into the most relevant segments for your focus.

Marketing 120

Marketing SBA Startup Venture Capital 120

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 25, 2011

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. In finance, a bubble is too much money chasing assets, greater asset production and a herd mentality. Overconfidence.

Startup 225

Startup Demand Green Government 225

Startup Professionals Musings

MARCH 20, 2013

In startup business plans, a bubble is too many entrepreneurs and too many investors chasing the latest “next big thing,” like Google search engine, Facebook social network, or Amazon e-commerce site. In finance, a bubble is too much money chasing assets, greater asset production and a herd mentality. Overconfidence.

Demand 224

Demand Green Finance Government 224