Gust

NOVEMBER 12, 2013

If you don’t understand the broader implications of social media, content marketing, curation, engagement, and relationships, then you desperately need a great reason why not. Investors will expect marketing to show up in your pitch, and if they like your pitch they’ll want your business plan and marketing better be there too.

Social Media 142

Social Media Media Curation Angel Investor 142

Gust

JUNE 19, 2012

And in January I saw that digital music overtook physical media for the first time in 2011, something I expected since 1998. 10 Things I Look for When Reading a Business Plan. This seems like a good point to summarize here what I look for in a business plan. . Power Pitches. Don’t push adjectives.

Startup 180

Startup Forecast Angel Investor Software 180

Gust

JANUARY 4, 2012

(It’s often possible to “ design around ” a patent to operate a business that achieves similar results in different ways.) Most investors will assume that if the business plan is solid and a large market opportunity exists, there will be vigorous competition from other players. Creating product mock-ups , wireframes, etc.

Intellectual Property 143

Intellectual Property IP Startup United States 143

Gust

NOVEMBER 11, 2011

Local media cover it. Startups and investors discover each other, and the community wins because the event becomes visible evidence of new business and new jobs locally. In most of the events that I’ve participated in, that the appearance of a business plan contest is to some extent illusion.

Software Review 79

Software Review Term Sheet Due Diligence Angel Investor 79

Gust

MARCH 9, 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 146

Marketing SEM Viral Social Media 146

Gust

AUGUST 29, 2012

Somebody asked me in email what investors look for in the marketing portion of a business plan and/or business pitch. If and only if that potential market seems to come alive, it needs credible plans to move from ideas and messages into media and concrete marketing programs with some backbone and metrics to them.

Marketing 119

Marketing Social Media Sales Cycle Angel Investor 119

Gust

OCTOBER 7, 2012

Here are seven ways this can actually help your startup efforts, rather than hurt them: Initiate media interest. These days, new technologies and social trends are fanned from an ember into a flame by the media and word-of-mouth. Don’t talk directly to potential investors until you have the business plan and other basics complete.

Stealth 131

Stealth Entrepreneur Incubator Engineer 131