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How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

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11–18 of 18 posts

Re: How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

#11
post #4

"The Unconnected", starring Clint Eastwood as an aging entrepreneur who decides to go for that last startup, just for the money. At first he runs into trouble, with both sherrif paul graham and deputy techcrunch casting a cold glance as he rides into town...

I don't buy this. I've gotten on TechCrunch twice (with related splash on Digg and Del.icio.us), most recently a month ago with http://www.rescuetime.com - which was (at the time) just a series of screenshots and a beta sign up form (i.e. pure vaporware, just about). Neither time did I solicit coverage. The first time I got on TechCrunch, I was living in Anchorage, Alaska. The trick is: 1) Build something that is uni…

Buy what? I was just feeling humorous... I didn't have a point. I just liked the sound of "The Unconnected" and how it reminded me of the Clint Eastwood movie title "The Unforgiven", which I've never seen.

Good advice in any case!

Re: How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

#12
post #2

It seems that the ones getting the most buzz are those who are the best connected, even if your product is better than theirs. In this case, what is the best way to strike back? (assuming trying to network yourself into his level is futile)

Not to split hairs here, but I don't think networking to that level is at all futile. Your competitors are doing it, and you want every advantage you can get.

Re: How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

#16
post #4

"The Unconnected", starring Clint Eastwood as an aging entrepreneur who decides to go for that last startup, just for the money. At first he runs into trouble, with both sherrif paul graham and deputy techcrunch casting a cold glance as he rides into town...

'... burglar, a spy, a fugitive, a delinquent, a hacker, and a piano teacher ...'

CONDOR IN SNEAKERS: Staring & directed by Robert Redford as Bishop. Who leads a team of smart hackers who first work out the what, "make things people want" then ruthlessly executes the how. All the time, incremently adjusting the what. The focus, just work on making "black box" the best in the world and getting as many customers as possible. At the same time, outsmarting those who seek to take a shortcuts in hard road to startup success.

BISHOP: "Well here we have it gang. We know the deal, build the 'black box', release it early, incremental improvements and build up the customers."

MOTHER: "Come on 'Bishop' that theory has been well and truly debunked. Just last week in my latest edition of Conspiracy Theory, you know the Marketing edition. It says in black and white, 'the only way to get recognised' is a quick word to Crunch and your gold!."

WHISTLER: "Did you mean 'Capitan Crunch'? Did you know Crunch did prototype work for Apple ][ telephony hardware, but Jobs got it canned."

BISHOP: "No he means the 'Silicon Alley' of the Noughties. TechCrunch is a waste of time. Look these guys can't even scale their website, they don't listen to their customers. When the advertising falls they are history."

MOTHER: "You mean I've been reading this Marketing edition and it's not true? But they have influence right? Just one email to the editor, then BAMMM. Instant recognition. I simply don't believe you."

CREASE; "It wasn't Jobs, 'Whistler'. It was Gates. Don't worry we settled that one siphoning off his fortune to charity and planting logic bombs in Windows Vista. You don't think he's quiting Microsoft for the love of giving money away do you?"

BISHOP: "Crease enough pranks. Carl hows the new features going? Whistler whats the growth rate this week? Mother come, lets have a quick chat on your sources of information"

Some quick refs ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sneakers_(movie)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000s

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Days_of_the_Condor

Re: How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

#17
post #4

"The Unconnected", starring Clint Eastwood as an aging entrepreneur who decides to go for that last startup, just for the money. At first he runs into trouble, with both sherrif paul graham and deputy techcrunch casting a cold glance as he rides into town...

I don't buy this. I've gotten on TechCrunch twice (with related splash on Digg and Del.icio.us), most recently a month ago with http://www.rescuetime.com - which was (at the time) just a series of screenshots and a beta sign up form (i.e. pure vaporware, just about). Neither time did I solicit coverage. The first time I got on TechCrunch, I was living in Anchorage, Alaska. The trick is: 1) Build something that is uni…

Did you have to pitch your startup to them? How many tries did it take before Techcrunch feature you?

Re: How does the unconnected get buzz for their startup?

#18

You can try to get on TechCrunch: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1331688095520243666&hl=en Good luck though, if you're not being referred from someone "in the know" you probably wont get covered. But never hurts to try.

You could try calling up Michael Arrington and crying on the phone. http://www.techcrunch.com/2007/05/22/silicon-valley-could-use-a-downturn-right-about-now/
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