April 22nd, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Want to start your venture? You’ll need funding.
Want funding? You’ll need to know how to pitch.
Check out this presentation from Nivi over at VentureHacks. Great points!
April 21st, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Think you want to be an entrepreneur? Are you sure?
Now read this article about the unintended consequences of startups – the “downside” to entrepreneurship.
Jason shares some fantastic – and very personal – effects of starting his own company. If you think you want to found a startup, you’ll want to read this.
April 20th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
If my business was based in New York, I’d definitely love to have the endorsement of NY Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and pitcher Johan Santana, but I think I’d be daunted by the cost.
One beverage firm found a way around that price by offering each a 1% stake in the company in exchange for a photo session and the right to use the players’ names as endorsers.
Think about what this could mean for your business. Think your brand is too small to get a celebrity endorsement? Think again.
April 20th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Think you want to pay for publicity? Think again – get some press, and you’ll get more “eyeballs” at a far lower cost!
Check out TPE’s 54 Best PR Tips for Entrepreneurs. You’ll find some fantastic, creative ideas – many of which you’ve probably never thought of – as well as some refinements on concepts that you probably already knew.
April 19th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Scott Gerber of YoungEntrepreneur.com takes us through five tips to make your brand look bigger and more valuable – even if you’re not.
I’d add #6: Good customer service. Even if you can’t have an office front or a top-notch business card, making sure you always respond to your customers will win you enough points to compensate and keep them coming back.
April 18th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
There’s team building, and then there’s team building. I’m pretty sure this article describes the latter.
One addition: sports. Depending on which one you choose and how it’s played, sports can be a fantastic team-building activity — you just need to foster an air of encouragement instead of one of competition. Try kickball. 
April 18th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Toilet Paper Entrepreneur has a great article about How to Hire Someone in the Recession. It includes five points, each of which stresses attitude as much as aptitude.
I would add a sixth point: Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Hiring only makes sense for your company if you need someone, so make sure the position meets that criterion before you leap into the hiring process.
April 18th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Check out the article: 10 Do’s and Don’ts for Naming.
Some smart stuff. I’d add #11: Make sure your URL is available, or at least an alternative is. You don’t want to have a spectacular name that ends up with a .ru domain name because everything down to the .us was taken.
April 14th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
I think I invented a new phrase today, and I’m blogging about it to make sure there’s a record:
Pre-Network (v.) – To network online with someone whom you have never met in person, with the express intent of meeting in person in the future.
(just wanted to get this out there!)
April 9th, 2009 by Joshua Bob
Here are some start-up marketing tips “from the trenches.”
I’m especially fond of #12: Find at least three competitors. This can be crucial in deciding what you do and don’t want for your business.
